Today a whopping 92% of consumers consult product reviews before buying. But attracting their attention is going to take more than a handful of 5-star reviews.
According to data, buyers from the ages of 24-44 expect an average of 150 reviews for a business when comparing services online.
Not quite there yet? Don’t worry. With a clear playbook for requesting, collecting, and promoting customer reviews, you can boost your online presence and position your business as the #1 moving company of choice on all the platforms that matter.
Benefits of customer reviews for movers
It’s no secret that online reviews can do a lot for your business. Google is one of the first places prospects go when looking for reliable moving services in their area.
But the benefits of customer reviews extend far beyond lead generation. Let’s take a closer look.
Stronger reputation
According to data from Moving.org, 55% of customers felt scammed by their moving company. By encouraging your customers to publicly share their experience with you and your crew, you can overcome any negative experiences potential customers may have had with the moving industry in the past and make it easy for them to feel confident reaching out.
| Build trust and win more business. Get the complete guide to reputation management to learn the latest strategies, tools, and best practices for maintaining a sparkling 5-star reputation. |
Better leads and more sales
What makes you different from your competitors? With a strong number of positive reviews, incoming leads and customers can tell in a glance that your moving company is one they can trust, leading to better quality leads and more sales. Data shows that businesses have achieved an 18% uplift in sales and big improvements in lead quality due to having a high number of positive reviews.
Stronger Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
If you want more web traffic, user-generated content like customer reviews is how you can get it. Reviews are the name of the game when it comes to moving company SEO. With a higher quantity of 5-star reviews, you can improve your online visibility and show up right at the top of organic search rankings.
Improve the quality score of your PPC ads
Who doesn’t want lower costs per click and higher ad placements on search engine results pages (SERPs)? If you’re already spending money on Google Ads, Local Service Ads, or any other type of Pay-Per-Click (PPC), adding reviews to the mix is a no-brainer.
With so much noise everywhere online, 78% more people trust reviews over ads. When ads are accompanied by positive Google reviews, users are more likely to click on them, leading to higher click-through rates and ultimately better ROI on ad spend.
More credibility with incoming referrals
You already know referral leads are some of the best and easiest customers to work with. By optimizing your online reviews, you not only make it seamless for referrals to convert to paying customers, you also make it easy for your affiliates to confidently send you more referrals.
With a solid number of reviews on Google, as soon as partners and leads pop your company name into their internet browser, they’ll see a 5-star brand they can trust and pass on to others.
7 essential strategies to get more reviews
Alright, you know you’ve gotta have reviews. But how do you actually get them consistently?
Here are some effective strategies to boost your customer reviews.
1. Automate your asks
No way around it: if you want more reviews, you’ve got to make the ask.
If you’re already using an all-in-one moving company software like SmartMoving, you can set up automated review requests to collect reviews immediately after a move. Simply send your Move Review email straight from your mobile crew app and make sure links to leave a review are easy for customers to find.
With this one simple automation, the team at Local Muscle Movers was able to increase their total number of reviews 3X+ — from 80 reviews to more than 250.
2. Aim for an average star rating above 4.0
By making asking for a review a seamless part of the process after a job is done, it takes the fear of knowing what to say and when to ask out of the equation. But how do you ensure that the majority of those reviews are positive?
If a crew has any doubt, it might be best to simply not make the ask. However, it’s important to note that even negative reviews can present a big opportunity to turn things around.
Here are some tips to keep your average rating strong:
- Set up Google Alerts to receive an email straight to your inbox anytime a new review is published.
- Be sure to respond to both positive and negative right away quickly after they’re posted.
- Follow up to thank them for their feedback, and address specific details of their message.
- Show empathy and be willing to resolve any issues.
- If relevant, consider asking the customer to change their review.
With a set process for handling both positive and negative feedback, everyone will be able to see your commitment to customer satisfaction.
If you’re already using a reputation management tool, a lot of the manual work can be done for you. For example, in SmartMoving, you can automatically monitor your reviews across Google, Facebook, Yelp and more, and use the review funnel to create automated steps based on the strength of each customer's rating.
For example, if they rate 4 or 5 stars, the customer will be prompted to your review platform to immediately post their review. But if the review is 3 stars or lower, a ticket for your customer support team will automatically be created to help resolve the experience asap.
3. Get 150+ reviews
While one review can increase conversions by 10%, 100+ reviews can take your conversion rate up to 37%. Just imagine what you could do with 3x more business.
Automating the process is one way to skyrocket your review count, but you can also try the following proven tactics to step up your review volume:
- Instruct your crew to take a photo and request a review right after completing the move.
- Place QR Codes on the crew's tablets.
- Attach QR Codes to the crew's t-shirts.
- Distribute Pop Cards for quick one-touch reviews.
- Add new reviews every month.
The good news is, reviews beget reviews. Google’s algorithms tend to prioritize new reviews over older ones, so do whatever you can to keep them coming.
“Our movers have QR codes on their sleeves so that when they’re filling out the paperwork after the move, customers can scan the code right there on their shirt,” explained Wade in a recent episode of the Grow Your Moving Company podcast.
After the move, he continues to follow up, sending customers helpful links and preparing them for the “safety net review”, an automated review request email recommended by expert coach Louis Massaro, using SmartMoving.
4. Ask reviewers to include photos in their reviews
The percentage of reviews with photos is another important factor for your rankings. In fact, Google profiles with photos receive an average of 35% more clicks.
Not only do images give you a big boost in search engine optimization (SEO), they can also help grab customer attention quicker than text-only reviews.
To start, try adding a few images to your listings. This could include crew photos, pictures of your trucks, or even photos snapped with happy customers after a successful move.
5. Ask reviewers mention crew members by name to build credibility
Why not double down by asking happy customers to name drop your crew members in their reviews? You’ll not only elevate your reputation as a reliable company, it also gives potential new customers a sense of the friendly, personal service they can expect when working with you.
You can even tie it in with your incentive program by offering a bonus to any crew members mentioned by name in your reviews.
6. Create a review incentive program
Leading movers like Local Muscle Movers, 2 College Brothers, and others understand the importance of crew buy-in when it comes to reviews. They’re constantly communicating the importance of positive customer reviews to the team.
And they’re putting their money where their mouth is. In fact, the team at Local Muscle Movers is generating $4-5K in tips every month for their crew due to their relentless focus on providing an exceptional customer experience.
But offering a set bonus or incentive can be another great way to bring in more reviews. To keep the team on track, choose a set performance KPI to track your progress — for example, the number of reviews each week, percentage of customers giving positive reviews, or the number of positive reviews per crew member.
7. Promote your reviews
You and your crew work hard for your reviews. Why not be loud and proud about it?
By adding positive testimonials to your website, ad campaigns, newsletters and more, you can boost your chances of conversion and get more ROI out of your digital marketing and PPC.
To take your reviews beyond the confines of Google, Yelp and Facebook, start by:
- Sharing success stories, testimonials, or positive feedback from customers on your social media channels.
- Use your social media presence to ask for reviews.
- Showcase reviews on your website as social proof of your company's stellar services.
For example, Wade Swikle and the team at 2 College Brothers promote their positive brand rep right on their homepage with a link taking visitors straight to the reviews.
The best moving company customer reviews start with an ace experience
At the end of the day, the only sure way to secure a positive review is to provide a great customer experience and do it consistently.
“Streamlined customer intake info, keeping communications in one place, adding photos to jobs…we’ve now refined the entire process from A to Z,” says Jake Holz, President at Local Muscle Movers.
From sales and crew management to accounting and online reputation management, SmartMoving gives you everything you need to extend your reach, build a remarkable reputation, and optimize your profitability — all from one convenient hub.
Get all the support you need to go above and beyond with every move. Schedule a 1:1 demo to see SmartMoving in action.
Customer reviews FAQs
Here’s a closer look at some commonly asked questions on moving company customer reviews.
How can I increase the number of Google reviews?
You can request more Google reviews by sending personalized review requests to satisfied customers via email or text message. Encourage happy clients to share their experiences by making the review process easy and convenient. You can also create incentives for crew members who bring in positive reviews, and ensure you have a prominent and visible presence on Google My Business.
How can I maximize my Google reviews?
To maximize your Google reviews, focus on providing exceptional service to every customer. Respond promptly and professionally to all reviews, both positive and negative. You can also showcase your best reviews on your website and social media platforms to build credibility with potential customers.
What does a good sample review for a moving company look like?
A good sample review for a moving company should be detailed, specific, and highlight the positive aspects of the service provided. For example, "The team at XYZ Moving Company was professional, efficient, and handled all my belongings with care. They arrived on time, completed the move quickly, and even helped with assembling furniture at the new place. I highly recommend XYZ Moving Company for a stress-free moving experience!"
