O'Brien Self Storage

A custom website and growth campaign that filled every unit faster than anyone expected

The
challenge

The brief was to take a brand new indoor storage centre from zero to full occupancy within a year, through a new website and digital marketing campaign. O’Brien Self Storage was a new venture within a well-established group, and above everything else it had to do one thing: fill the units.

The strategic tension was balance. The centre needed to feel credible and connected to the O’Brien’s name, which we know well from years of work across the group’s Waste Management, Demolition, Cranes, Land and Development and Reclamation divisions, while standing on its own as a distinct, modern proposition in a competitive storage market.

Everything had to serve occupancy. The brand, the website and the campaign all needed to work as a single system aimed at converting high-intent local searches into confirmed bookings, not just at looking good.

Our
approach

We started with the brand. The challenge was to create something that retained the recognition of the O’Brien’s name while feeling specific and relevant to storage. Our solution was to take the O and B from the existing identity and transform them into a three-dimensional box shape – a sub-brand that felt immediately connected to the parent group but unmistakably about storage. A small creative decision with a strong commercial logic behind it.

With the brand in place, we built a fully custom website designed around the customer journey from first click to confirmed booking. Visitors could browse storage options across all available sites, check real-time availability and book online directly. For those who preferred to speak to someone first, the site captured enquiry data to support the team in converting in-person conversations. Before launch, we invited real users to test the site and booking process, identifying and resolving any points of confusion before they could affect real customers. The result was a site that felt intuitive, fast and easy to use, with conversion rates that reflected the quality of the experience.

With the site live, we launched a targeted Google Ads campaign focused on high-intent searches from people actively looking for storage in the relevant areas, delivering quality traffic from day one. In parallel, we built the organic search foundations – technical SEO, service pages, local visibility and content, which over time delivered highly cost-effective, consistent traffic without paying for every click. More recently, we have been working on AI search visibility to strengthen the site’s presence in Google’s AI Overviews and AI-assisted results, ensuring it remains well-positioned as search behaviour continues to evolve.

Services delivered

  • Marketing Strategy
  • Logo Design
  • Brand Development
  • Website Design
  • 3D Illustration
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
  • AI Visibility
  • Google Ads

Impact

We did not disappoint.

The target was 100% occupancy within 12 months. We reached it in five months.

The combination of a well-designed sub-brand, a conversion-focused custom website, targeted Google Ads and a growing SEO foundation created a joined-up system that delivered results faster than anyone had anticipated.

Client testimonial

‘I’ve worked with Matt for a number of years, initially through Halogen Creative and more recently with Matt and the team at One Design Group.

What has always stood out to me is how supportive and approachable they’ve been. I don’t come from a marketing or web design background, so there have been plenty of occasions where we’ve gone backwards and forwards discussing ideas, asking questions and refining things. At no point have I ever felt like I was being a nuisance or asking too much. Nothing has ever seemed to be a problem.

Matt has always been patient, happy to explain things and willing to share his knowledge, which has made a real difference. That support has given me the confidence to get involved in developing our website and marketing, knowing I have experienced people to bounce ideas off whenever I need them.

Alongside that, the quality of their work speaks for itself. Our website, marketing and design work have all been delivered to a high standard, and the whole team at One Design Group has been professional, responsive and genuinely easy to work with.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Matt and the team to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable and supportive agency.’

John Hibberd, Manager,  O’Brien Self Storage

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One Design Group

We are a North East brand and digital growth specialist helping businesses maximise opportunities through the perfect blend of web, design and AI driven marketing.

Brand, Web, Creative, Growth Marketing, AI & Automation, IT Support

Our Services

From brand identity to full digital platforms, we offer a complete suite of creative and digital services designed to help North East businesses grow.

Brand Strategy, Websites, Growth Marketing, AI, Creative Design, IT Support

Brand Strategy & Identity

Is your brand clear enough to be chosen? We create identities, messaging and brand systems that build recognition, trust and consistency across every touchpoint.

Logo & Visual Identity, Brand & Rebranding, Brand Guidelines, Social Media Branding, Trademark Registration

Websites & Digital Platforms

We build websites that work as hard as you do. From brochure sites to full ecommerce platforms, every site we deliver is fast, optimised and built to convert.

Brochure Websites, Ecommerce, Mobile Apps, Bespoke Development, AI Chat Bots

Growth Marketing Campaigns

We plan and run campaigns that generate real leads and measurable return. Paid, organic or both — we align every channel to your growth goals.

Google Ads, Meta Ads, SEO, Email Marketing, Social Media Management

AI, Automation & Insight

We help businesses use AI and automation to work smarter, move faster and make better decisions. From opportunity reviews to full implementation, we make it practical.

AI Marketing, AI Opportunity Reviews, Marketing Automation, Reporting & Analytics

Creative, Graphic & Print Design

Design that communicates clearly and looks the part. We produce creative work across digital and print that reflects your brand and gets your message across.

Graphic Design, Brochures, Marketing Collateral, Advertising, Packaging

Digital Support, IT & Optimisation

Ongoing support that keeps your digital presence running smoothly. From site recovery to managed IT, we handle the technical side so you can focus on the work.

Website Recovery, UX & Conversion, Managed IT Support via One IT

About One Design Group

Formed from the merger of Halogen Creative and One IT Support, we bring together creative, digital and technology expertise under one roof in North Shields.

Our Story, Values, North East Agency

Leadership Team

Meet the people behind ODG — a team of strategists, creatives and digital specialists with decades of combined experience helping North East businesses grow.

Strategy, Creative, Digital, Technology, Marketing

Our Work

From brand identity to full digital platforms, explore how we have helped businesses across the North East stand out, get found and grow.

Brand, Web, Creative, Campaigns, AI

Gallery

A showcase of our creative output across brand, web, print and digital — work that we are proud of and clients that we are proud to work with.

Brand Identity, Web Design, Print, Digital, Photography

Sectors We Work In

We work with businesses across a wide range of sectors including construction, professional services, hospitality, retail, renewables and more.

Construction, Professional Services, Hospitality, Retail, Renewables, Healthcare

News & Insight

The latest thinking from the ODG team on brand, web, digital marketing and AI — practical insight you can actually use in your business.

Brand, Web, SEO, AI, Marketing Strategy, Industry News

Funding Support

There may be funding available to support your next web, design or marketing project. Find out what is available and how ODG can help you access it.

Growth Funding, Digital Grants, North East Business Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with ODG — from process and timelines to costs and ongoing support.

Process, Timelines, Costs, Support, Getting Started

Get in Touch

Ready to start a conversation? Reach us by phone, email or fill in the contact form and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.

hello@onedesigngroup.co.uk, 0191 259 1234, 17 Northumberland Square, North Shields