No buzzwords. Just the expert-level playbook movers actually need.
Let’s be honest.
Most movers running Facebook ads are either (1) winging it or (2) trusting an "ad guy" who sets it and forgets it. If that’s you, you’re probably losing money and leads.
This isn’t a beginner’s guide. It’s what consultants charge for. But you're getting it here—for free—because we believe moving companies deserve real advice that really works.
1. Build a funnel, not just an ad
Biggest mistake? Thinking one ad can do everything.
Here’s what actually works:
Top-of-funnel (TOF):
Build awareness, not bookings.
- Video: “What to look for in a moving company”
- Post-move testimonials
- 15-second crew-in-action clips
- Goal: Warm them up. Get video views or clicks. Pixel them for retargeting.
Middle-of-funnel (MOF):
Prove you’re worth the quote.
- Ads with Google review screenshots
- "Why customers love us" posts (insurance, licensing, 5-star service)
- Goal: Send to a landing page with a fast quote form. Build trust.
Bottom-of-funnel (BOF):
Close the deal .
- Retargeting ads like “Still need a mover? Get a free quote today.”
- Scarcity: “Only 3 crews left this week in [city name].”
- Goal: Drive form submissions and phone calls.
2. Stop targeting like it’s 2017
Interest targeting alone = wasted money.
Here’s how the pros do it now:
- ZIP code + radius targeting: Only show ads to people within your service zone. Don’t waste a cent on folks 100 miles out.
- Custom lookalike audiences: Upload a list of past customers. Facebook will find more people like them. Gold.
- Use Meta’s “Advantage+ Placements”: Don’t micromanage placements. Let Meta test Facebook feed, Reels, Instagram stories—wherever your audience converts.
- Layer your filters: Combine behaviors, like Homeowner + likely to move + income + age. This isn’t shotgun marketing... It’s sniper-level.
3. Ad creatives that print money
Secrets to scroll-stopping ads for moving companies:
1. Video beats photo. Photo beats text.Real moving footage trumps polished animations every time. Time-lapse your crew, customer reaction shots, behind-the-scenes prep. See A+ moving video examples here.
2. Copy formula that converts: hook + pain + proof + CTA“Moving in [city name]? Don’t trust your life’s stuff to randoms. Our 5-star team moves 500+ families a year, without breaking a lamp or your back. Get a free estimate in 30 seconds.”
3. Keep text short
Mobile users = 80%+ of your audience. Your text should be skimmable in under 5 seconds.
4. Your landing page is killing you
Sending ad clicks to your homepage is a sin. Here's what to fix:
1. 1 form, 3 fields—tops
Name, address, move date. That’s it. Every extra field = 10% fewer leads.
2. Speed-test your page
Use Google PageSpeed Insights. Slow pages = lost revenue. Aim for under 3 seconds.
3. Trust badges, up front
Throw your 5-star Google reviews and license # at the top. Build instant trust.
4. Install Meta Pixel + conversion API
Without this? You’re flying blind. Track every quote, every form, every call.
5. Retargeting like a shark, not a goldfish
Most moving decisions are made over 7-14 days. Stay in front of them:
Retarget 1: Visited your landing page, didn’t convert
Ad: “Still moving? Our crews are booking up fast—lock in your move date now.”
Retarget 2: Started form, didn’t finish
Ad: “Your quote is 80% done. Hit submit, we’ll handle the rest.”
Retarget 3: Engaged with your page
Ad: “See why [city] residents love us. Over 500 five-star moves this year.”
6. Budget like a boss
Start with this formula:
- $15/day minimum for local TOF ads (video views)
- $20/day for conversion-focused MOF/BOF
- $10/day for retargeting
🌟 Bonus tip: Start with conversion campaigns optimized for leads, NOT link clicks. Clicks are cheap. Leads are money.
Track these metrics daily:
- CPL (cost per lead)
- Form conversion rate (should be 15–30%)
- Booked jobs per 10 leads
If your CPL is low but no one books, your ad is fine, but your sales process is broken.
7. Advanced ninja moves (for grown-up ad accounts)
Dynamic creative testing: Let Meta test different combos of headlines, images, and calls to action. Use the winners.
Click-to-call ads: Some people don’t want to fill out forms. Run a mobile-first campaign with a “Call Now” CTA.
Facebook lead ads with instant auto-response: Use Facebook’s lead form + autoresponder: “Thanks for your interest! Our team will call you in 5 minutes—or book online here.”
The bottom line
If you want to book more moves, Facebook ads can work... but only if you stop guessing and start acting like a pro. Whether you're running your own ads or hiring someone, now you know what good looks like.
Real movers. Real results. Real profit.
Here’s the thing: Facebook ads will bring you leads. But if your crew’s double-booked, your quoting’s slow, or your follow-up’s buried in sticky notes, those leads leak money.
Take FlatRate Moving, for example. They were generating plenty of leads, but their ops couldn’t keep up. After switching to SmartMoving, they cut their time spent quoting by 80%, booked more jobs, and finally saw where their profit leaks were hiding.
More jobs booked. Less chaos. Higher margin.
Because great marketing is half the battle. Great operations? That’s where profit lives.
If you’re spending money to get more moving leads, make sure sales, quoting, scheduling, and dispatch can keep up—and actually make you money.
SmartMoving is The Profitability Platform for Movers.
Let us show you why. Book a demo and see it in action.
