Want more local customers for your removal company? Local SEO can help. Here’s how:
- Optimise Google Business Profile (GBP): Add accurate details, highlight services, and set service areas properly.
- Improve Website SEO: Use location-specific meta tags, create area-specific pages, and optimise images.
- Build Local Credibility: Ensure consistent business details, list in directories, and build partnerships with local businesses.
- Manage Customer Reviews: Request reviews promptly, respond to all feedback, and address fake reviews.
- Track Progress: Use tools like Google Analytics and GBP Insights to monitor rankings, traffic, and conversions.
Results: Businesses typically see traffic growth in 5-6 months and a 50%+ increase in GBP-driven bookings within 60 days. Ready to start? Let’s dive in.
How To Optimise A Google Business Profile (Checklist)
1. Set Up Google Business Profile
Start your local SEO efforts by focusing on your Google Business Profile (GBP) – a key tool for boosting local search visibility for removal companies.
Fill Out Your Business Information
Make sure your profile includes these crucial details:
- Use your full legal business name.
- Add a local phone number with an area code instead of a toll-free number.
- Choose "Moving Company" as your primary category and include relevant secondary ones like "Junk Removal Service."
- Provide detailed service descriptions that specify your coverage area, such as "Serving all of Metro Atlanta" or listing specific ZIP codes.
"Using a local phone number instead of a toll-free number increased our local search visibility by 32% within 60 days" – findings from a recent moving industry study.
Take Advantage of GBP Features
Here’s how to make the most of what GBP offers:
- Services Section: List your specific services, including pricing when possible.
- Attributes: Highlight key points like "Insured Staff" or "Free Estimates."
- Products Section: Showcase specialty services such as Piano Moving or Art Transport.
Post updates at least three times per week to stay active. Share content like:
- Seasonal promotions.
- Announcements about local events.
- Useful moving tips.
Set Service Areas Properly
Getting your service areas right is essential for visibility. Follow these tips:
- Create separate GBP listings for each physical location or warehouse your company operates.
- Define service areas using specific city names and ZIP codes instead of broad terms like county names.
- Enable Google’s ‘Service Area Businesses’ setting to clarify your coverage.
Pro tip: Use video verification when possible. Show your warehouse and branded vehicles to speed up the verification process and build trust with Google.
Once your GBP is fully optimised, the next step is ensuring your website aligns with local search best practices.
2. Improve Website SEO
Once your Google Business Profile is set up, it’s time to fine-tune your website’s local SEO to draw in more customers from your service areas.
Write Local Meta Tags
Use meta tags to clearly highlight your location and services. Here’s a simple yet effective example for your main service page:
<title>Professional House Removals in [City] | [Company Name]</title>
<meta name="description" content="Trusted [City] removal services with [X] years experience. Specialised in home & office moves. Get free quote & [unique offer]. Serving [specific areas].">
Add Area-Specific Pages
Creating location pages can significantly boost your organic traffic. For instance, companies saw a 43% increase in organic traffic by adding location pages across their franchises.
Each page should include:
- Content tailored to the specific area (at least 500 words) with headers like ‘Professional Removal Services in Leeds’
- Embedded Google Maps showing your service coverage
- Testimonials from local customers
- Pricing details specific to that area
- Photos of completed moves in the location
Optimise Moving Service Images
Image optimisation plays a big role in improving local search rankings. Use these tips to get it right:
| Image Element | Best Practice | Example |
|---|---|---|
| File Name | Add location + service | manchester-office-removal-2024.jpg |
| Alt Text | Describe with location details | "Professional office furniture removal team in Manchester city center" |
| File Size | Keep under 100KB | Use tools like TinyPNG |
| Dimensions | Limit to 1200px width | – |
"When we implemented proper image optimisation, our image search visibility increased by 28% for local queries." – Search Engine Journal Case Study, 2023 [3]
Use real photos of your team and equipment instead of stock images. This not only builds trust but also helps search engines better understand your local relevance.
For an extra boost, add structured data tags to your images. This helps search engines connect your visuals to your local services.
With your website’s local SEO in place, you’ll be ready to focus on building credibility through partnerships and citations.
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3. Build Local Links and Citations
Creating a solid base of local citations and securing quality backlinks can greatly improve your removal company’s presence in local search results.
Keep Business Details Consistent
Make sure your business information is the same across all platforms. Here’s what to focus on:
| Element | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name | Exact spelling and formatting | Avoids confusion in search results |
| Address | Complete format with ZIP code | Verifies your service area |
| Phone Number | Area code and proper format | Ensures accurate contact routing |
| Business Hours | Up-to-date operating schedule | Builds trust with customers |
List Your Business in Directories
Start with directories that are relevant to your industry and have strong authority (DA 40+):
-
Industry-Specific Directories
Platforms like LoadUp Pro Directory and
are especially useful for removal companies. When listing, include a detailed 300-word company description with location-based keywords. -
General Business Directories
Don’t overlook widely used platforms like:- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Yelp Business
- Yellow Pages
- Your local Chamber of Commerce website
Build Links with Local Businesses
Collaborating with local businesses can help you acquire valuable website links. Here are some ideas:
| Partner Type | Link Opportunity | How to Make It Happen |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Facilities | Referral service pages | Set up mutual referral agreements |
| Real Estate Agents | Vendor recommendation lists | Offer exclusive moving packages |
| Property Managers | Resource directories | Provide tailored moving guides |
You can also sponsor local events to earn backlinks naturally. Focus on building real relationships rather than just chasing links.
Tip: Include Post code maps in your listings to clearly define your service areas. This not only helps customers but also boosts your local SEO.
4. Manage Customer Reviews
Effectively managing customer reviews across platforms can enhance your local reputation and improve rankings in local search results. For moving companies, this is especially crucial since customers often make quick decisions based on reviews.
Get More Reviews
Timing and ease are everything when it comes to collecting reviews. Reach out to customers within 24 hours of completing a job – this is when their experience is still fresh. Studies show that this approach leads to a 53% higher response rate compared to waiting longer.
Here’s a simple plan for requesting reviews:
| Timing | Action |
|---|---|
| Immediate | Send an SMS with a Google Business Profile (GBP) link |
| 24 hours | Email the invoice with a review link |
| 3 days | Follow up by phone (for commercial clients) |
Reply to All Reviews
Responding to reviews – both good and bad – shows professionalism and builds trust. Tailor your responses based on the type of feedback:
For Positive Reviews:
- Thank the customer by name.
- Mention specific details about the service they received.
- Highlight team members who contributed.
- Encourage them to use your services again.
For Negative Reviews: Use the E.A.R.S. method:
- Empathise with their experience.
- Acknowledge their concerns.
- Resolve the issue privately.
- Share any steps you’ve taken to improve.
Remove Fake Reviews
Keeping your online reputation intact means staying alert for fake reviews. Watch for red flags like:
- No record of the reviewer in your service history.
- Geographic locations that don’t match your service area.
- Mentions of services you don’t offer.
When reporting fraudulent reviews to Google, gather strong evidence such as service records, GPS data, and communication logs. Submit your case via your Google Business Profile, clearly explaining how the review violates Google’s policies.
5. Track SEO Results
Once you’ve implemented your reputation management strategies, it’s important to keep an eye on how they’re performing. Focus on these metrics to measure progress effectively:
Use SEO Tracking Tools
Leverage the right tools to monitor your local visibility:
- Google Business Profile Insights: Keep tabs on daily views and calls.
- Search Console: Check how your local keywords are ranking.
- BrightLocal: Ensure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across platforms.
- Google Analytics: Analyse local visitor behavior, including conversions like quote requests and phone clicks.
These tools will give you a clearer picture of your local SEO impact.
Analyse Competitor Rankings
For removal companies, understanding your competitors’ strategies is crucial. Pay attention to their service area coverage and pricing trends, especially during seasonal shifts. Here’s how:
- Service Area Coverage: Identify the neighborhoods your competitors target and study how they structure their service area pages. Use tools like BrightLocal or Moz Local to evaluate their rankings in specific areas.
- Review Performance: Track how quickly they’re gaining reviews and the overall sentiment of those reviews.
- Citation Presence: Find out which directories list your competitors and look for opportunities to list your business on those platforms too.
This information can help you refine your own strategy and stay ahead.
Review Monthly Progress
Set up a monthly routine to evaluate metrics that directly affect your business. Focus on these key performance indicators (KPIs):
- Google Business Profile (GBP): Monitor call and direction click-through rates (CTR).
- Location Page Conversions: Track how well your location-specific pages are converting visitors.
- Citation Consistency: Check your NAP consistency scores.
- Review Growth: Measure how many new reviews you’re acquiring and their impact on your reputation.
Don’t forget to separate mobile metrics from desktop performance. Mobile users often have different needs, so optimising for them can make a big difference.
Next Steps
Once you’ve started tracking your progress using the outlined metrics, it’s time to roll out your strategy in three clear phases:
Checklist Summary
Phase 1 (Weeks 1-2):
- Focus on creating and optimising location-specific service pages.
- Add meta tags tailored to moving services.
- Fine-tune content like packing guides or descriptions of your vehicle fleet.
Phase 2 (Weeks 3-4):
- Set up automated review requests using SMS or email workflows.
- Develop a content plan that targets specific locations.
- Establish tracking systems to measure your efforts.
Phase 3 (Ongoing):
- Continuously monitor and adjust your strategy.
- Work on building authority in your local market.
- Gradually expand your service area coverage.
Start Your SEO Plan
Use these actionable steps to see measurable growth for your moving company:
Weekly Tasks:
- Share updates on Google Business Profile (GBP) with helpful moving tips or special offers.
- Reply to new reviews promptly.
- Keep service area information up to date.
Monthly Tasks:
- Check and update directory listings.
- Research competitor service areas to identify opportunities.
- Refresh content with details like area-specific regulations, such as parking permits for moving trucks.
Expected Timeline:
- Noticeable traffic growth within 5-6 months.
- GBP-driven bookings could increase by 50-70% within 60 days of implementing targeted local SEO strategies.
Keep aligning these tasks with the metrics from Section 5 to ensure steady progress.
