For many local movers, the map is where the work starts. A customer moving across town searches for movers, looks at the map, reads a few listings and contacts a few of them. Marketing services for local movers are about being on that short list, in the towns you want, for the moves you do best. This page covers the map, the ads, city pages, reviews and the neighbors who send work your way.
Moving Company SEO is an independent referral service, not a marketing agency. When you send the form, your details go to an independent marketing agency that prepares any proposal and does any work.
Start with the map
Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and popularity, and that there is no way to pay for a better local ranking. Distance is how far your business is from the person searching, which is one reason your real base matters. Keep your real business address on your Google Business Profile and add the service areas your trucks cover; Google allows a business that serves customers at its address and also travels to them to enter both. Then keep the profile complete and accurate, with your own photos. The local SEO for movers guide goes through every field.
Local Services Ads for local work
Local Services Ads are shown prominently in Google Search when people search for the services you offer in the areas you choose, and you pay per lead rather than per click. Leads come in as calls and messages. Google warns that regularly failing to answer calls or respond to messages may affect your ad ranking, so decide who answers while the crews are on jobs. Check eligibility for your trade and area in Google’s Local Services Ads sign-up.
City pages with something to say
If you serve several towns, a page for each can help customers and Google see where you work. Each one should say something real: the neighborhoods, the homes and apartment buildings, parking and elevator rules you deal with, and photos from jobs there. A set of near-identical town pages is what Google’s spam policies call doorway abuse. See moving company website design.
Want more local moves from the map? An independent agency that works with movers can prepare a written proposal.
Get a proposalReviews from every job
Local customers read reviews closely. Ask every customer for an honest review after each move, with a direct link, and offer nothing for it; Google bans paid and incentivized reviews and asking only happy customers. See reviews for movers.
Neighbors who send work
Real estate agents, property managers, apartment building staff, storage operators and senior living communities all meet people about to move. Introduce yourself, leave cards, and do good work for the customers they send. If you reward a partner who then recommends you publicly, such as in a post or a review, the FTC expects that connection to be disclosed clearly and conspicuously.
What to ask a marketing agency as a local mover
- Will my Google Business Profile, ad accounts, domain and website stay in my company’s name?
- Which towns and neighborhoods will the work focus on, and why those?
- How will calls, messages and quote requests be counted, and how often will I see them?
- Can you show me examples of previous work, and do you follow the Google Search Essentials?
- How long does any agreement run, and how do I end it?
Google’s own advice on hiring an SEO adds one warning worth keeping in mind: no one can promise a top ranking, and an SEO who promises first place is one to walk away from.
State rules
The federal advertising rule in 49 CFR 375.207 applies to interstate household goods movers. Moves within one state can fall under state rules that differ from state to state. If your marketing makes claims about registration or rates, check your state’s rules or ask a lawyer first.
To get a written proposal for marketing your local moves, send the form. Asking is free and you never have to hire anyone.
Questions movers ask
What marketing works best for a local mover?
Usually a complete Google Business Profile with your address and service areas, honest reviews from every job, real city pages, and Local Services Ads where eligible.
Should I list every town I serve on Google?
Add the towns your trucks really serve as service areas, and keep your real address. Do not create extra profiles for towns where you have no location.
Is word of mouth still worth working on?
Yes. Partners such as real estate agents and property managers meet movers’ customers first. Disclose any reward if a partner recommends you publicly.
Do I need my own website if I am on the map?
It helps. The map listing links to your site, and a site with real pages for your moves and towns gives customers and Google more to go on. See the website design guide.