Why $20/day Is the Realistic Starting Point for Self Storage Campaigns
If you're new to Google Ads, one of the first questions you’ll face is:
“How much should I spend per day?”
We get this all the time from self-storage operators launching campaigns—and it’s an important one. Your daily budget directly affects how often your ads show up and how many potential customers you can reach.
Here’s what you need to know before setting your ad budget.
Let’s Talk About Clicks
Google Ads runs on a pay-per-click (PPC) model. That means you only pay when someone actually clicks on your ad.
In the self-storage industry, the average cost per click (CPC) ranges from $6 to $12, depending on location, competition, and demand.
If your daily budget is $10, and clicks are $8 each—you’ll only get 1 click per day, if any at all.
That’s not enough traffic to meaningfully evaluate performance, test strategies, or generate move-ins.
Why We Recommend Starting at $20/day (or More)
At Adverank, we typically recommend a minimum daily budget of $20 per location.
Here’s why:
| Budget | Estimated Clicks/Day | Visibility Level | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | ~1 | Very Low | Ads may not show consistently |
| $15 | ~1–2 | Limited | May serve ads intermittently |
| $20 | ~2–3 | Moderate & Steady | Minimum level for data and testing |
| $25+ | 3+ | Stronger Visibility | Better reach, more clicks, faster insights |
With at least 2–3 clicks per day, Google has enough data to optimize your campaign and show your ads more consistently to the right people.
Big Budget ≠ Wasted Spend
It’s easy to think of a larger budget as just “spending more,” but in reality, it’s about giving your campaign room to perform and matching search demand.
A well-optimized $40/day campaign often delivers far better results than a $15/day campaign that barely serves.
And remember:
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You’re only paying for clicks (not impressions)
- More clicks means more potential move-ins
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More data = faster optimizations
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Low budgets delay learning and limit success
Can You Start Lower? Technically, Yes… But Be Ready to Wait
If $20/day feels high, you can technically start with less—but know that:
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Your ads may only show occasionally
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It will take longer to see meaningful results
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You may miss high-intent searchers during peak hours
We’ve seen many operators start low, then increase after realizing $10/day doesn’t move the needle.
Key Takeaways
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$20/day is the minimum sweet spot to get reliable ad traffic for self storage
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Clicks usually cost $6–12, so lower budgets limit your reach
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More budget means more data, faster learning, and better performance
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You only pay for clicks—so your spend is focused on action, not guesswork