Here's the truth: more than half of movers struggle with profit.
32% make less than 10% profit, while 23% don't even know their profit margin.
That's not the American dream. That's a hostage situation.
You can do better than average. Heck, with these strategies, you can do 2x, 3x, or even 5x better than average (like these guys). And still make it home for dinner.
12 ways to grow moving sales and profits
Think you can't control your moving company's profits? Think again.
Reputation. Lead flow. Booking rate. Revenue streams. Those are all in your control. No matter what's going on in the housing marketing, you have plenty of levers to pull. 💪
1. Build your referral network
Your best leads aren't coming from ads—they're coming from trusted partners.
Here's how to get more referrals:
- Launch an affiliate program: 60% of best-in-class movers have them
- Streamline lead flow: Create a dedicated landing page and affiliate portal
- Track performance: Top movers generate 43% of revenue from repeat/referral
👉Get more referral leads. Here's how successful movers do it (5 steps).
2. Crank up your reviews
Review aren't just trust signals. They're SEO juice. And your #1 lead source, if you play it right.
Boost your review count with these steps:
- Set a review goal: New weekly reviews or % of jobs with reviews
- Bonus your crew: $10 per review or $1,000 contest for the most reviews
- Follow up like you mean it: Treat happy customers like hot leads (call + email + text)
- Add photos to your Google profile: This brings good vibes and boosts clicks by 35%
- Respond to every review within 24 hours: Thank the positives, address the negatives
3. Own local search results
The top 3 Google results get 69% of the search traffic. No wonder movers are taking SEO seriously.
Start dominating your local search:
- Claim your Google Business Profile: This is your #1 priority for getting found
- Get more reviews: Seriously. It's Google gold. Scroll back to step 2
- Be location-specific: Add your city to key website pages (think "Dallas Moving Experts")
- Add more keywords to your site: Here's a list of the top 50 to get you started
⁉️Are you showing up in AI? Here's what you need to know about ChatGPT, AI Mode, and more.
4. Raise prices
The simplest lever for boosting profits? Your pricing. And most movers are seriously undercharging.
Here's how to optimize:
- Set pricing rules: Automatically adjust rates based on demand
- Reset baseline rates: 66% of movers are raising prices this year
- Add a rush premium: Make more on last-minute moves
Yes, it's scary knowing competitors can undercut you. But when Zane from Wildcat Movers transitioned up to premium moving services, his profits soared to 20%. Here's his story.
5. Look sharp in your branding
If you're going to charge premium, you have to look premium—from your logo to your uniforms.
Here's how to make it unforgettable:
- Own your niche: Whether it's luxury moves or eco-friendly service
- Nail your visual identity: Invest in professional logo design that's unmistakable on trucks and online
- Stay consistent: From your colors to your tagline, this shows you sweat the details
- Think mobile-first: Make sure your website and booking process look amazing on small screens
👉The pros don't show up in a $2 suit. Try these 6 tips for you next rebrand.
6. Offer new services
Moving companies say junk removal, packing, and valuation are top revenue drivers, and 20% plan to expand their services this year.
Here's how to add revenue streams the smart way:
- Choose wisely: Storage is a big investment, while valuation adds 2-3% top line
- Make it convenient: Let customers add valuation coverage digitally
- Bundle it up: Run promos to make adding services a no-brainer
7. Improve your pay per click (PPC)
Want qualified leads without blowing your budget? Don't let Google Ads run away with your money.
Only pay for the clicks you want:
- Use Google Local Service Ads: You get top-of-page placement plus a green badge from Google
- Set up negative keywords: Stop paying for clicks from folks wanting a U-Haul and free boxes
- Go hyperlocal with keywords: "Vanderbilt student moving services" vs. "mover near me"
- Create killer landing pages: Your homepage is nice, but targeted landing pages convert better
⁉️Are you spending too much? Avoid PPC bidding wars and build a budget that works harder.
7. Try content marketing
Those pricey keywords you're buying on Google? Content marketing gets you clicks without the cost.
Here's how to start ranking:
- Write about specific topics: Think "piano movers near me" instead of just "movers"
- Show off your specialties: Pet moves? Senior relocations? Create pages just for those services
- Share what you know: Quick tips on tricky moves (like hot tubs!) make you the go-to expert
👉Steal what works. Here are 9 moving blog ideas to feed your SEO.
9. Start posting videos (yes, really)
Video content isn't just trendy—it's a lead-generating machine.
Here's how to get rolling:
- Show the action: Quick crew clips humanize your brand
- Go live: Stream interesting moves on social (with permission!)
- Share quick tips: Simple how-tos on packing and moving
- Get social: Jump on TikTok and Reels with bite-sized moving hacks and tips
- Add testimonials: Let happy customers sell for you with video reviews
👉Grab the playbook: 101 guide to video marketing for moving companies.
10. Boost your Facebook ads
We love Facebook community groups. But also: 1 in 4 movers make a killing on Facebook ads.
Here's how to get more Facebook leads:
- Target like a pro: Based on recent life events like new jobs or engagements
- Create scroll-stopping visuals: Before/after shots and action photos of your crew
- Test different ad types: Single image, video, lead form, and stories
- Retarget website visitors: People who've checked your site but haven't booked yet
- Add social proof: Reviews and customer quotes right in your ad copy
- Keep landing pages focused: One call-to-action per page ("Get a Quote" or "Book Now")
11. Use your off season wisely
Wish peak season lasted all year? And trips to Disney were free? 😄
Try these tactics to keep revenue up during off season.
- Automate storage billing: Like Mac's Moving did to generate 5x more revenue
- Increase coverage area: Use profitability reports to find out which long-distance jobs are worth your time
- Optimize your operations: Get your scheduling and dispatch running like s Swiss watch
- Network, network, network: Hit up trade shows, real estate events, and block parties with your business cards
12. Dial up your sales machine
Yes, more leads = more sales. But don't throw the kitchen sink at your team and hope for the best.
Start with a clear metrics and a solid process:
- Respond to new leads within 10 minutes: 57% of top movers follow this rule
- Deploy CMETs: Hit every lead with Call + Message + Email + Text
- Set daily targets: For example, 40-50 calls per day and 10+ quotes during peak season
- Use moving CRM software: Track leads, follow ups, and KPIs like booking percentage
⁉️How's your booking rate? Strong sales teams book 40-50% of their leads.
Double-digit margins starts here
When it comes to profit, everything has to work together.
You can't ramp marketing without tightening sales. You can't ramp sales without tightening operations. If there are holes, growing a moving company feels like punishment with no upside.
But manage it all from one moving software, and marketing, sales, and ops runs like a machine. A profit machine.
Less chaos, more control. Here's how you do it.👇
