Padiham business JP74 provides online solution for Store First  

JP74, one of the region’s leading specialists in web platforms and applications, has successfully developed a ‘game changing’ digital solution for self-storage business Store First, which it hopes will strengthen its position as an honest and straightforward provider within the self-storage marketplace.

The Padiham based agency was approached by Store First to develop a solution that would not only help align its honest credentials but make the whole process of selecting storage as simple as possible for its customers.

Jake Smith, Director at JP74 explains: “Consumers are very savvy and want to know what they’re getting and for what price; one of the criticisms within the self-store marketplace is that many providers say they’ll give estimated prices in order to just capture an e-mail address, but in reality just say “someone will be in touch”.

“Store First was keen to do things differently. Our brief was to design an online solution that simplified the whole experience and provided real price quotes for its customers, dependent on the size of the space required and the length of time they needed it for.

“We took into consideration all the variables associated with the hire of storage, including insurance and developed a simple slider device that now makes choosing the right sized storage solution for the right price as painless and as accurate as possible.”

The tablet based application is utilised in store while staff are showing customers around the storage facilities and allows them to provide an instant price for their requirements. The slider feature has also been incorporated onto the Storefirst.com website.

Commenting on the introduction of the new application, John Turner, Managing Director at Store First said: “Our mission is to drive standards upwards and provide our customers with an affordable, high quality storage solution in all our locations. We’re keen to be seen as the innovators in this sector and challenged JP74 to develop an application that would help us ‘shake-up’ the industry and raise standards in the eyes of the consumer. “The application has been extremely well received, not only by our customers who get an honest and accurate price for a high quality storage unit, but the retail team too as it has simplified training, the in-store sales process, and reduced haggling significantly. An informed customer is a happy customer. We’re delighted with the product and JP74 has ensured that the platform can grow as we drive future innovations to improve our customer service experience.”