Why Local SEO Matters for Moving Companies
When someone searches "movers near me" or "moving company in [your city]," you want your business at the top. Unlike paid ads, organic local SEO traffic is essentially free once you've done the work to rank. And the best part? People trust organic results more than ads.
At Heavy Lifting Marketing, we've helped moving companies go from page 5 to the top 3 results. Here's the exact playbook we use.
Part 1: Google Business Profile Optimization
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most important factor for local SEO. It's what shows up in the map pack—those top 3 local results that get 42% of all clicks.
#Complete Every Section
Google rewards complete profiles. Fill out:
- Business name: Exact legal name (no keyword stuffing)
- Category: Primary should be "Moving Company" or "Mover"
- Address: Your actual business location
- Service area: List all cities/zip codes you serve
- Phone number: Use a local number, not toll-free
- Website: Your homepage URL
- Hours: Keep these accurate and updated
- Description: 750 characters max, include your main services and areas
#Add Photos Weekly
Businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks. Add:- Team photos (builds trust)
- Truck photos (shows legitimacy)
- Before/after moving photos (with permission)
- Office/warehouse photos
- Action shots of moves in progress
Aim for 3-5 new photos every week.
#Get Reviews (The Right Way)
Reviews are a top-3 ranking factor. Here's our proven system:
1. Send a follow-up text/email within 24 hours of completing a move
2. Include a direct link to your Google review page
3. Make it personal—mention something specific about their move
4. Respond to EVERY review (positive and negative)
Pro tip: Don't ask for "5-star reviews"—ask customers to "share their experience." This keeps you compliant with Google's guidelines.
#Post Regular Updates
Google Business Profile has a "Posts" feature that most moving companies ignore. Use it:
- Share moving tips weekly
- Announce seasonal specials
- Highlight recent successful moves (with permission)
- Post about community involvement
Posts stay active for 7 days, so maintain a weekly posting schedule.
Part 2: On-Page SEO for Moving Companies
Your website needs to be optimized for both search engines and humans.
#Create Location Pages
If you serve multiple cities, create a dedicated page for each:
- yourdomain.com/movers-miami
- yourdomain.com/movers-fort-lauderdale
- yourdomain.com/movers-west-palm-beach
Each page should have:
- Unique content (1,000+ words)
- Local keywords naturally incorporated
- Information specific to that area
- Local reviews/testimonials
- Embedded Google Map
- NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information
#Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Your title tag is crucial. Format it like this:
[Service] in [City] [Company Name]
Example: "Professional Movers in Miami
Meta descriptions should:
- Be 150-160 characters
- Include a call-to-action
- Mention your main differentiator
- Include the target city
#Use Schema Markup
Schema markup helps Google understand your business. Implement:
- LocalBusiness schema
- Service schema
- Review schema
- FAQ schema
This can get you rich snippets in search results (stars, pricing, etc.).
#Optimize for Page Speed
Slow websites kill rankings. Aim for:
- Under 3 second load time
- Mobile-friendly design
- Compressed images
- Minimal plugins/scripts
Use Google's PageSpeed Insights to test and improve.
Part 3: Building Local Citations
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web.
#Essential Directories
Start with these high-authority directories:
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau
- Angi (formerly Angie's List)
- HomeAdvisor
- Thumbtack
- Facebook Business
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
#Industry-Specific Directories
Moving-specific listings carry extra weight:
- Moving.com
- MovingCompanyReviews.com
- MyMovingReviews.com
- AMSA (American Moving & Storage Association)
- State moving associations
#Consistency is Critical
Your NAP must be EXACTLY the same everywhere:
- "123 Main Street" ≠ "123 Main St."
- "Suite 100" ≠ "#100"
- "(305) 555-1234" ≠ "305-555-1234"
Pick one format and use it everywhere. Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt rankings.
Part 4: Content Strategy for Moving Companies
Content builds authority and attracts backlinks naturally.
#Blog Topics That Rank
Create helpful content around:
- Moving checklists and timelines
- Packing tips for specific items
- Cost guides ("How much does it cost to move in [city]?")
- Neighborhood guides for your service areas
- Moving day preparation
- Choosing the right moving company
#Local Content Opportunities
Write about local topics:
- "Best Neighborhoods for Families in [City]"
- "[City] vs. [City]: Where Should You Move?"
- "Moving to [City]: Everything You Need to Know"
- Local events and community involvement
This content attracts local backlinks and establishes local relevance.
Part 5: Link Building for Movers
Backlinks remain a top ranking factor. Here's how to get them:
#Local Link Opportunities
- Chamber of Commerce membership
- Local business associations
- Sponsoring local sports teams
- Charity partnerships
- Real estate agent partnerships
- Apartment complex partnerships
#Content-Based Link Building
Create linkable assets:
- Moving cost calculators
- Printable moving checklists
- Infographics about moving statistics
- Original research/surveys about moving
#Guest Posting
Write for:
- Local real estate blogs
- Home improvement websites
- Lifestyle publications
- Business blogs in your area
Measuring Your Local SEO Success
Track these metrics monthly:
- Google Business Profile views and actions
- Ranking positions for target keywords
- Organic website traffic
- Phone calls from organic search
- Form submissions from organic traffic
- Review quantity and rating
The Timeline: What to Expect
Local SEO is a long game. Here's a realistic timeline:
- Month 1-2: Foundation work (GBP optimization, citations, on-page SEO)
- Month 3-4: Start seeing movement in rankings
- Month 5-6: Breaking into page 1 for less competitive terms
- Month 7-12: Consistent rankings and growing organic traffic
Need Help With Your Local SEO?
Local SEO requires consistent effort over time. If you'd rather focus on running your moving company while experts handle your marketing, that's exactly what we do.
[Schedule a free strategy call](/schedule) and let's discuss how we can get your moving company ranking at the top of local search results.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the single most important factor for local SEO. It's what shows up in the map pack—those top 3 local results that get 42% of all clicks.
#
Complete Every Section
Google rewards complete profiles. Fill out:
- Business name: Exact legal name (no keyword stuffing)
- Category: Primary should be "Moving Company" or "Mover"
- Address: Your actual business location
- Service area: List all cities/zip codes you serve
- Phone number: Use a local number, not toll-free
- Website: Your homepage URL
- Hours: Keep these accurate and updated
- Description: 750 characters max, include your main services and areas
#Add Photos Weekly
Businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks. Add:- Team photos (builds trust)
- Truck photos (shows legitimacy)
- Before/after moving photos (with permission)
- Office/warehouse photos
- Action shots of moves in progress
Aim for 3-5 new photos every week.
#Get Reviews (The Right Way)
Reviews are a top-3 ranking factor. Here's our proven system:
1. Send a follow-up text/email within 24 hours of completing a move
2. Include a direct link to your Google review page
3. Make it personal—mention something specific about their move
4. Respond to EVERY review (positive and negative)
Pro tip: Don't ask for "5-star reviews"—ask customers to "share their experience." This keeps you compliant with Google's guidelines.
#Post Regular Updates
Google Business Profile has a "Posts" feature that most moving companies ignore. Use it:
- Share moving tips weekly
- Announce seasonal specials
- Highlight recent successful moves (with permission)
- Post about community involvement
Posts stay active for 7 days, so maintain a weekly posting schedule.
Part 2: On-Page SEO for Moving Companies
Your website needs to be optimized for both search engines and humans.
#Create Location Pages
If you serve multiple cities, create a dedicated page for each:
- yourdomain.com/movers-miami
- yourdomain.com/movers-fort-lauderdale
- yourdomain.com/movers-west-palm-beach
Each page should have:
- Unique content (1,000+ words)
- Local keywords naturally incorporated
- Information specific to that area
- Local reviews/testimonials
- Embedded Google Map
- NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information
#Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Your title tag is crucial. Format it like this:
[Service] in [City] [Company Name]
Example: "Professional Movers in Miami
Meta descriptions should:
- Be 150-160 characters
- Include a call-to-action
- Mention your main differentiator
- Include the target city
#Use Schema Markup
Schema markup helps Google understand your business. Implement:
- LocalBusiness schema
- Service schema
- Review schema
- FAQ schema
This can get you rich snippets in search results (stars, pricing, etc.).
#Optimize for Page Speed
Slow websites kill rankings. Aim for:
- Under 3 second load time
- Mobile-friendly design
- Compressed images
- Minimal plugins/scripts
Use Google's PageSpeed Insights to test and improve.
Part 3: Building Local Citations
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web.
#Essential Directories
Start with these high-authority directories:
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau
- Angi (formerly Angie's List)
- HomeAdvisor
- Thumbtack
- Facebook Business
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
#Industry-Specific Directories
Moving-specific listings carry extra weight:
- Moving.com
- MovingCompanyReviews.com
- MyMovingReviews.com
- AMSA (American Moving & Storage Association)
- State moving associations
#Consistency is Critical
Your NAP must be EXACTLY the same everywhere:
- "123 Main Street" ≠ "123 Main St."
- "Suite 100" ≠ "#100"
- "(305) 555-1234" ≠ "305-555-1234"
Pick one format and use it everywhere. Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt rankings.
Part 4: Content Strategy for Moving Companies
Content builds authority and attracts backlinks naturally.
#Blog Topics That Rank
Create helpful content around:
- Moving checklists and timelines
- Packing tips for specific items
- Cost guides ("How much does it cost to move in [city]?")
- Neighborhood guides for your service areas
- Moving day preparation
- Choosing the right moving company
#Local Content Opportunities
Write about local topics:
- "Best Neighborhoods for Families in [City]"
- "[City] vs. [City]: Where Should You Move?"
- "Moving to [City]: Everything You Need to Know"
- Local events and community involvement
This content attracts local backlinks and establishes local relevance.
Part 5: Link Building for Movers
Backlinks remain a top ranking factor. Here's how to get them:
#Local Link Opportunities
- Chamber of Commerce membership
- Local business associations
- Sponsoring local sports teams
- Charity partnerships
- Real estate agent partnerships
- Apartment complex partnerships
#Content-Based Link Building
Create linkable assets:
- Moving cost calculators
- Printable moving checklists
- Infographics about moving statistics
- Original research/surveys about moving
#Guest Posting
Write for:
- Local real estate blogs
- Home improvement websites
- Lifestyle publications
- Business blogs in your area
Measuring Your Local SEO Success
Track these metrics monthly:
- Google Business Profile views and actions
- Ranking positions for target keywords
- Organic website traffic
- Phone calls from organic search
- Form submissions from organic traffic
- Review quantity and rating
The Timeline: What to Expect
Local SEO is a long game. Here's a realistic timeline:
- Month 1-2: Foundation work (GBP optimization, citations, on-page SEO)
- Month 3-4: Start seeing movement in rankings
- Month 5-6: Breaking into page 1 for less competitive terms
- Month 7-12: Consistent rankings and growing organic traffic
Need Help With Your Local SEO?
Local SEO requires consistent effort over time. If you'd rather focus on running your moving company while experts handle your marketing, that's exactly what we do.
[Schedule a free strategy call](/schedule) and let's discuss how we can get your moving company ranking at the top of local search results.
Businesses with photos get 42% more direction requests and 35% more website clicks. Add:
- Team photos (builds trust)
- Truck photos (shows legitimacy)
- Before/after moving photos (with permission)
- Office/warehouse photos
- Action shots of moves in progress
- Share moving tips weekly
- Announce seasonal specials
- Highlight recent successful moves (with permission)
- Post about community involvement
- yourdomain.com/movers-miami
- yourdomain.com/movers-fort-lauderdale
- yourdomain.com/movers-west-palm-beach
- Unique content (1,000+ words)
- Local keywords naturally incorporated
- Information specific to that area
- Local reviews/testimonials
- Embedded Google Map
- NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information
- Be 150-160 characters
- Include a call-to-action
- Mention your main differentiator
- Include the target city
- LocalBusiness schema
- Service schema
- Review schema
- FAQ schema
- Under 3 second load time
- Mobile-friendly design
- Compressed images
- Minimal plugins/scripts
- Yelp
- Better Business Bureau
- Angi (formerly Angie's List)
- HomeAdvisor
- Thumbtack
- Facebook Business
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
- Moving.com
- MovingCompanyReviews.com
- MyMovingReviews.com
- AMSA (American Moving & Storage Association)
- State moving associations
- "123 Main Street" ≠ "123 Main St."
- "Suite 100" ≠ "#100"
- "(305) 555-1234" ≠ "305-555-1234"
- Moving checklists and timelines
- Packing tips for specific items
- Cost guides ("How much does it cost to move in [city]?")
- Neighborhood guides for your service areas
- Moving day preparation
- Choosing the right moving company
- "Best Neighborhoods for Families in [City]"
- "[City] vs. [City]: Where Should You Move?"
- "Moving to [City]: Everything You Need to Know"
- Local events and community involvement
- Chamber of Commerce membership
- Local business associations
- Sponsoring local sports teams
- Charity partnerships
- Real estate agent partnerships
- Apartment complex partnerships
- Moving cost calculators
- Printable moving checklists
- Infographics about moving statistics
- Original research/surveys about moving
- Local real estate blogs
- Home improvement websites
- Lifestyle publications
- Business blogs in your area
- Google Business Profile views and actions
- Ranking positions for target keywords
- Organic website traffic
- Phone calls from organic search
- Form submissions from organic traffic
- Review quantity and rating
Aim for 3-5 new photos every week.
#
Get Reviews (The Right Way)
Reviews are a top-3 ranking factor. Here's our proven system:
1. Send a follow-up text/email within 24 hours of completing a move
2. Include a direct link to your Google review page
3. Make it personal—mention something specific about their move
4. Respond to EVERY review (positive and negative)
Pro tip: Don't ask for "5-star reviews"—ask customers to "share their experience." This keeps you compliant with Google's guidelines.
#Post Regular Updates
Google Business Profile has a "Posts" feature that most moving companies ignore. Use it:
Google Business Profile has a "Posts" feature that most moving companies ignore. Use it:
Posts stay active for 7 days, so maintain a weekly posting schedule.
Part 2: On-Page SEO for Moving Companies
Your website needs to be optimized for both search engines and humans.
#Create Location Pages
If you serve multiple cities, create a dedicated page for each:
If you serve multiple cities, create a dedicated page for each:
Each page should have:
#
Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions
Your title tag is crucial. Format it like this:
[Service] in [City] [Company Name]
Example: "Professional Movers in Miami
Meta descriptions should:
#Use Schema Markup
Schema markup helps Google understand your business. Implement:
This can get you rich snippets in search results (stars, pricing, etc.).
#Optimize for Page Speed
Slow websites kill rankings. Aim for:
Use Google's PageSpeed Insights to test and improve.
Part 3: Building Local Citations
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web.
#Essential Directories
Start with these high-authority directories:
#Industry-Specific Directories
Moving-specific listings carry extra weight:
#Consistency is Critical
Your NAP must be EXACTLY the same everywhere:
Pick one format and use it everywhere. Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt rankings.
Part 4: Content Strategy for Moving Companies
Content builds authority and attracts backlinks naturally.
#Blog Topics That Rank
Create helpful content around:
#Local Content Opportunities
Write about local topics:
This content attracts local backlinks and establishes local relevance.
Part 5: Link Building for Movers
Backlinks remain a top ranking factor. Here's how to get them:
#Local Link Opportunities
#Content-Based Link Building
Create linkable assets:
#Guest Posting
Write for:
Measuring Your Local SEO Success
Track these metrics monthly:
Example: "Professional Movers in Miami
Schema markup helps Google understand your business. Implement:
Slow websites kill rankings. Aim for:
Citations are mentions of your business name, address, and phone number across the web.
#
Essential Directories
Start with these high-authority directories:
Moving-specific listings carry extra weight:
Your NAP must be EXACTLY the same everywhere:
Content builds authority and attracts backlinks naturally.
#
Blog Topics That Rank
Create helpful content around:
Write about local topics:
Backlinks remain a top ranking factor. Here's how to get them:
#
Local Link Opportunities
Create linkable assets:
Write for:
Track these metrics monthly:
The Timeline: What to Expect
Local SEO is a long game. Here's a realistic timeline:
- Month 1-2: Foundation work (GBP optimization, citations, on-page SEO)
- Month 3-4: Start seeing movement in rankings
- Month 5-6: Breaking into page 1 for less competitive terms
- Month 7-12: Consistent rankings and growing organic traffic
Need Help With Your Local SEO?
Local SEO requires consistent effort over time. If you'd rather focus on running your moving company while experts handle your marketing, that's exactly what we do.
[Schedule a free strategy call](/schedule) and let's discuss how we can get your moving company ranking at the top of local search results.
Local SEO requires consistent effort over time. If you'd rather focus on running your moving company while experts handle your marketing, that's exactly what we do.
[Schedule a free strategy call](/schedule) and let's discuss how we can get your moving company ranking at the top of local search results.