If you’re a mover, you already know how important having an online presence is. When people need to move, they Google first.
So getting clients for your moving business online means getting your business to show up on page 1 of Google and securing top rankings on search engine results pages so people can find and choose you.
So, how do you get to the top of the search results? That’s where SEO comes in.
What is in This Article
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What is SEO?🔍📈
Infographic of different aspects of SEO.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is a digital marketing strategy that helps improve your website’s visibility in search engines like Google. By optimizing your website for relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and building authoritative links, you can drive organic traffic to your moving company website and generate more leads for your business.
This article discusses how SEO matters for moving companies and offers tips to increase your online presence and attract more potential customers by implementing an effective SEO strategy.
5 Local SEO tips for moving companies
1. Local SEO: Approximately 97% of internet users turn to search engines to locate a nearby business, making local search results crucial for visibility. Local SEO ensures that your company is front and center when someone searches for moving help nearby.
One of the main steps in optimizing your local SEO is listing your moving services on Google My Business (GMB)
Google My Business (GMB)🏢📍
Companies listed under the search ‘moving companies Atlanta’ on Google.
Most movers are in the same price range. So when choosing, people go for the highest rated and since Google wants to show solid recommendations it favors those with higher ratings.
So I recommend asking your happy customers to leave a review on your Google Business Profile as this increases your credibility and attracts more customers looking for reliable services.
Atlas Van Lines’ review page on Google.
The better the reviews on Google, the more credibility and trust your business can gain from potential customers.
Make sure to fill out your Google Business Profile accurately with your business name, address, phone number, website URL and business hours.
2. Keyword Research: Not everyone will search for “moving companies” on Google. Some will search for residential, local or long distance moving. Others will search for solutions to specific problems like how to pack dishes for a move. You’ll miss out on potential customers if your website doesn’t rank for those specific keywords and phrases.
Importance of keyword research.
The words you use are how people find your business, and using the words that someone is searching for is key. So, how do you choose the right words?
Short Tail vs. Long Tail Keywords🔑
First step is to know the difference between short and long tail keywords.
Short-tail keywords are brief and general terms like “movers” or “moving services.” They have a high search volume, meaning many people are searching for them. While short-tail keywords can attract a big audience, competition is also high.
Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific phrases like “affordable residential movers in Atlanta” or “professional packing services for long-distance moves.” Fewer people will search for these exact terms, but they are more targeted and motivated.
Infographic of comparison between short tail and long tail search terms.
You want to target long tail keywords so your website shows up in search results more relevant to what users are searching for.
Read our post on Fat Head Keywords to learn more about keyword research.
Now that you know the difference between short tail and long tail keywords, the next step is to find out what movers related search terms people are searching for. To do this use a search term research tool like Ahrefs’ Keywords Explorer to generate search term ideas, estimated monthly search volume and other SEO metrics. This will help you optimize your web pages for the selected keywords.
How to do Keyword Research on Ahrefs🔍
• Log in to your Ahrefs account and enter seed keywords like “moving services,” “movers,” or “relocation.” Ahrefs will generate a list of search term ideas based on your seed keywords. The search will show Keyword Difficulty (KD) and search volume along with related search term ideas.
As you can see in the image above, ‘moving services’ have high KD, SV, and CTC, which means high competition.
As you can see in the image above, ‘moving services’ has high KD, SV and CTC which means high competition.
• Since your homepage will talk about your services in a specific area, It’s more likely to rank for terms like “moving companies <GEO>” and “moving services <GEO>.” Here, GEO means a specific geographic region.
So you need to use search terms like ‘moving services <GEO>’ to find terms you can rank for.
Therefore, you need to use search terms like ‘moving services <GEO>’ to find terms you have a better chance of ranking for.
As seen in the image above, terms like ‘moving services San Diego’ have a much lower KD and search volume.
Below is a list of keyword ideas that you can use to rank for your moving service locally.
Check the Keyword Difficulty (KD) to see the competition level for each search term and prioritize keywords with manageable competition. Remember to balance relevance and competition.
3. Content Creation: Know your audience before creating content. Know their needs, concerns, and what they are searching for when planning a move.
Infographic of different aspects involved in content creation.
The Power of Top-of-the-Funnel Informational Content💪
Focusing on top-of-the-funnel informational intent during content creation is important for several reasons.
At the awareness stage of the customer journey, users search for information and solutions rather than make a purchase decision. For example, when moving, people search for specific queries like “how to pack fragile items while moving.”
Top of the funnel tactics. – Semrush.
Creating content that provides valuable insights and addresses these informational needs establishes your brand as a valuable resource and contributes to a stronger brand recall. Also use relevant keywords and links to boost your SEO ranking and attract more traffic to your website. For instance, include a link to a reputable source explaining what counties in Illinois allow tiny houses and how to navigate the zoning laws. This approach also allows you to cast a wider net, attracting a larger audience interested in your industry.
As users progress down the funnel, having engaged with your informative content, they are more likely to consider your brand when making purchasing decisions, creating a foundation for long-term customer relationships.
TOFU-MOFU-BOFU
Create top-notch and informative website content by incorporating keywords naturally, but I recommend avoiding keyword stuffing to prevent any negative impact on your search rankings. You can check out our article on creating high authority content for an in-depth explanation. Additionally, focusing on local seo efforts, such as maintaining consistent NAP listings and encouraging positive customer reviews, can significantly enhance your online reputation and improve search rankings.
Effective SEO strategies for Content Creation
• Create Location-Specific Landing Pages: If you are a moving company and want to improve your local SEO, you can’t do so without creating dedicated landing pages that target the areas you serve. Optimize these pages with location based keywords to attract local search traffic to your website.
Additionally, leveraging Google Maps can significantly enhance your local SEO efforts. When businesses create pages that match the areas they serve, it signals to Google that they are relevant to local users. This makes it more likely for their website to show up when locals search for things and bring in customers looking for what the business offers in their area.
Tip: To steer clear of duplicate content issues with search engines, avoid creating too many identical landing pages. For example, check out this comment by a Redditer who shares his views on how to make your similar landing pages unique.
• Answer Common Questions: Create a section with questions people ask about moving, like costs or services of movers. Answer clearly and informatively to make your site more likely to show up in search.
As you can see in the image above, Atlas Van Lines has a Resources section with blogs and FAQs to provide information and help to those planning a move.
• Use Pictures and Simple Guides: Create simple guides on moving steps. People love visuals; sharing them will get your site more visibility online.
- Build Backlinks: Backlinks are important because they establish credibility. When Google sees many other reputable websites linking to your website it recognizes the value of your site.
Here’s an idea: why not reach out to local business owners and real estate agents and propose a link exchange?
SEO Pro Tip #40: Want to build backlinks the easy way?
Try link exchanges!
They’re mutually beneficial for you and your prospects
Unless you do it excessively, Google won’t penalize you for it
A link exchange can happen in <5 minutes pic.twitter.com/BxEuCh6O5m— Habibur Rahman | SEO & Niche Sites (@habibsoft) February 3, 2023
For example, collaborate with a local real estate agency to provide moving tips on their website and get a backlink.
Create shareable and informative content on your website like moving guides or checklists that others can find useful and link to. Engage with local directories and industry specific websites to build a diverse and reputable backlink profile and boost your moving company’s online presence.
As seen in the image above, moving.com is a website that helps people with various aspects of moving. It provides tools to estimate moving costs, find local movers, and create checklists.
- Optimize Your Website’s Functionality: Everything mentioned above is pointless if your website isn’t enhanced for performance, user experience, and visibility. Many essential aspects constitute a website’s optimization.
Infographic of different aspects involved in website optimization.
Design🎨
A clean and visually appealing layout makes it easy for visitors to explore and find what they need on your website. When the branding is consistent, the menus are easy to use, and everything is placed thoughtfully, it creates a positive first impression.
Remember to add clear Calls-To-Action (CTA) to guide visitors toward desired interactions, whether purchasing, filling out a form, or contacting your business.
Page Speed🏎️
People don’t like to wait for pages to load. They’ll go back to the search results and choose another website instead. Slow load times can result to high bounce rates, affect user satisfaction and search engine rankings.
Mobile Optimization📱
Mobile optimization means your website works and looks good on smartphones and tablets. Hiring an SEO company can help ensure your site is optimized for mobile devices. Since many people use their phones to browse the internet, having a mobile friendly site is important. It involves actions like adjusting the layout, buttons and text to fit smaller screens which can be optimized during mobile app development.
A mobile-optimized site helps provide a better experience for mobile users, making navigating and finding what they need easier. This is crucial for keeping visitors engaged and happy, whether on a computer or mobile device.
Knowing how SEO works for different industries, like our recent tips on link building for law firms, can help you improve your law firm link building strategy.
Insights From The Article• Local SEO: List your business on Google My Business (GMB) for local visibility. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews to build credibility. Ensure accurate information on your listing covering details like your company’s name, address, phone number, website URL, and business hours. • Keyword Research: Use specific keywords and phrases for search queries related to moving. Understand the difference between short tail (broad and competitive) and long tail keywords (exact and targeted). Prioritize long tail keywords to align with what users are actively searching for, and use tools like Ahrefs to perform effective keyword research, balancing relevance and competition. • Content Creation: Craft informative content that addresses specific queries and concerns about moving. Create location-specific landing pages and top-of-the-funnel informational intent to get potential leads and conversions. Use visuals, simple guides, and a dedicated resources section for effective content. • Build Backlinks: Establishing backlinks is crucial for credibility. Reach out to local businesses for link exchanges, collaborate on relevant content, and engage with directories to build a diverse backlink profile, enhancing your moving company’s online presence. • Optimize Website Functionality: Design a visually appealing and user-friendly layout. Implement clear calls to action for visitor guidance. Prioritize optimal page speed for a better user experience. Ensure mobile optimization for smartphone and tablet users. |
Boosting SEO for Moving Companies in a Cheaper Manner: Partnering up With The LocalsEver thought about teaming up with local liquidators and auctioneers? People buy bulky items all the time and then wonder, ‘How am I gonna move this?’ Estate sales professionals get asked for mover recommendations at majority of the estate sales and it’s a hidden goldmine of potential clients just waiting to be tapped. Or, why not advertise with companies like U-haul? Generally, when you rent a U-Haul, they hook you up with local movers who can help load, unload, and move your stuff. Since getting listed with U-Haul is a direct way to reach people who are actively searching for reliable moving services, can boost your visibility and bring in more clients looking for movers. It’s a smart way to grow your business and stay busy with steady work! |
Conclusion
If you’re in the moving business, you need an online presence. Most people go to Google for moving help, so getting on the first page is crucial. Enter SEO for moving companies — the techniques to make your website visible. Your moving company can get more leads and thrive online by optimizing for keywords, creating great content and building authoritative links.
In short, following this guide should help your company stand out, attract potential customers and boost your SEO efforts in the competitive online world.
FAQs
1. What is SEO for moving companies?
It refers to optimizing a company’s website and online presence to improve its visibility and ranking on Google. By implementing SEO strategies, they can attract organic traffic, increase online reach, and generate more leads.
2. Is SEO important for movers?
SEO is essential for movers because it allows them to stand out in a competitive online landscape. By optimizing their content and website for search engines, these companies can increase their visibility to potential customers actively searching for movers.
3. How does keyword research help in SEO for movers?
Companies can optimize their website content by identifying the most relevant and popular keywords related to their services and target audience’s search queries. This helps Google understand the content’s relevance and rank it higher in search results, making it easier for potential customers to find them.
4. How does creating engaging content improve SEO for movers?
Creating engaging content helps improve user experience and encourages visitors to stay on the website longer. When companies publish high-quality content that resonates with their target audience, it increases the chances of attracting links and social shares, positively impacting their search engine rankings.
5. Why are backlinks important in SEO for movers?
They are seen as a vote of confidence and credibility from other websites. When reputable websites link back to a mover’s website, it signals to Google that the content is valuable and trustworthy. This can positively impact search engine rankings and increase organic visibility.
