Most movers waste marketing money. Here’s how the top 10% win
The industry's worst-kept secret? Most moving companies are stuck spending on tactics that don’t work. Meanwhile, top performers are investing $12K/month in marketing that actually closes—and making real profit.
It’s not about spending more. It’s about spending smarter. Here's what’s actually working in 2025.
1. Own local search (or stay invisible)
If you're not on the first page of Google, you’re not in the game. Here's how top movers dominate local SEO:
- SEO-optimized site that actually converts
- Location-specific content (not just your city name on every page)
- Google reviews in the hundreds
- A standout Google Business Profile
- Content that answers real moving questions
👉Make sure you're doing these 5 things to show up higher on Google.
2. Turn reviews into a lead engine
Top movers aren’t just getting good reviews. They’re getting hundreds.
- 500+ Google reviews = trust at scale
- 4.5+ average rating
- Fresh reviews monthly
- Photos of real crews (ditch the stock images)
- Responses that win trust
👉Still doing this manually? Here are 7 ways to automate reviews and triple your volume.
3. Build referral machines (not just hope)
84% of movers get leads from referrals—but only half have a system.
Start with:
- Realtors (still #1 for local referrals)
- Property managers
- Past customers
- Storage facilities
👉Want a referral program that runs without you? Here’s your playbook.
4. Go all-in on social, especially Facebook
Facebook is the #1 lead driver for movers in 2025. But most companies barely scratch the surface.
What top movers do:
- Facebook: Run paid ads + post weekly wins
- Instagram: Crew reels, before/afters
- LinkedIn: Connect with agents and referral partners
- Nextdoor: Build hyperlocal presence
- Google Posts: Keep your profile fresh
👉Swipe the best-performing mover ads on Facebook.
5. Stop wasting money on bad PPC
Movers are spending over $6K/month on Google Ads. The ones doing it right are getting 50% close rates.
Here’s what they track:
- Cost per lead
- Conversion rate
- ROI by campaign
👉What does $6K on Google Ads actually get you? Here’s the real math.
6. Direct mail isn’t dead, it’s just lazy
Yes, postcards still work—when done right.
What converts:
- Target homes under contract
- Real photos (ditch stock)
- Trust-building testimonials
- Bold phone number + simple offer
👉Pro tip: "$100 off local move" outperforms "best in town" every time.
7. Upgrade your brand everywhere it shows up
Brand isn’t just your logo. It’s your reputation at every touchpoint:
- Website
- Review platforms
- Truck wraps
- Crew uniforms
- Mailers
- Ads
👉Keep your legacy. Upgrade your image. Build a brand that books premium jobs.
8. Track the numbers that actually drive profit
41% of movers aren’t tracking key metrics. That’s profit left on the table.
Start with:
- Profit per job
- Lead response time
- Referral rate
- ROI by lead source
- Review volume
👉If you don't have a Marketing ROI report, get one. Track what works. Kill what doesn’t.
9. Use AI to scale, not just for memes
AI is the secret weapon of high-performing movers.
- ChatGPT: Emails, quotes, customer service
- Yembo: Virtual surveys
- Smart Scout: AI sales assistant
👉Top movers are saving hours with these 6 AI tools. Are you?
10. Double down on what’s already working
Stop chasing every shiny object. The top 10% of movers do this:
- Spend $5K-$12K/mo on digital
- Have a real referral program
- Track marketing ROI weekly
- Get reviews from 30-40% of jobs
- Spend 70-80% of budget on proven lead sources
- Spend 20-30% on new channels + experiments
Enough spinning your wheels. Let's move the needle
Most movers are stuck at 7% margins because they can’t tie marketing back to revenue. Top movers aren’t just guessing—they’re measuring.
Want to join them?
SmartMoving tracks the marketing metrics that matter: profit per job, lead ROI, review volume, and more. Book a demo to see how it works.👇
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