What software do you need when starting or growing a moving company?

Many (too many) moving companies underestimate the importance of having the right software in place.

With technology today, it’s possible to piece together systems and processes with whatever free apps and software you can find. Think: Google’s suite of software (Docs, Sheets, Gmail, Calendar, etc.). 

But the reality is, they weren’t designed with your business in mind. When people or companies hire you to move their things, it’s a big responsibility. One that can’t be managed with any old products. It’s a complicated business, and the moving software you choose should make your job easier and make your company run smoother. 

Types of moving company software

Estimator app

When potential customers reach out to book a move, they want to know one thing: what will this cost me?

This is where a powerful estimator app can help you close more deals faster. A good estimator app should be available on your mobile device, so you can use it to quickly and easily survey your prospect’s property, add rooms and items and indicate whether items are going or staying. Ideally, the app will automatically calculate square footage and weight in order to provide an estimate for the move.

Look for the ability to include a typical inventory list (with associated weights), fees, photos, send the estimate via email or text, and collect a virtual signature and deposits. The estimator app should also connect easily with your back office software. 

Invoice software

Of course, once a customer has approved your estimates, you need to be able to send an invoice. This feature can be in an estimator app and invoicing software combo, but if it’s two separate apps, remember to make sure they are compatible and can speak to each other so everything is easily tracked and you don’t have to duplicate the work. 

Accounting software 

Your accounting software can do a few things for your moving business: send invoices, collect payments, track revenue and expenses for your company, as well as other bookkeeping tasks. 

QuickBooks is a great example, and it integrates with many other types of moving company software so you can keep all your business information in one place. 

Payment systems

Collecting payments is a critical part of any business. There’s no getting around it. Having a payment system like Stripe doesn’t just make it easier for your movers to collect payment at a job site, it can also increase their tips, leading to better crew morale and performance. 

Bill of lading software

Bill of lading software for moving companies helps ensure you make fewer mistakes, makes admin much easier, and gives both parties (your crew and your customers) some important peace of mind knowing everything is accounted for.

Managing your bills of lading with software also lets you keep all job information in one place so that it’s easy to reference, anytime, anywhere. 

Sales and marketing software

Selling more moves is core to growing your business, and there are many products out there to help you manage your sales and marketing and keep track of leads. 

The most common type of software in this category is customer relationship management (CRM) software. This helps you collect and track leads, manage and track communications, forecast sales, and of course, manage your relationships with customers. 

The next is email marketing software. This can help you send email campaigns and newsletters, and communicate any promotions or special offers. Social media software helps you manage all your social media accounts on one platform. 

The all-in-one software for moving companies 

So you’re probably thinking, “Umm, how many different software do I need to invest in?” 

The bad news: all of them. 

The good news: software that’s purpose-built to support your entire business, from lead management to reporting, is more available than ever. Moving company software solutions like Supermove can help you manage your entire moving business in one place. It allows you to streamline and digitize your processes with digital bills of lading, estimates and invoices, lead management, scheduling and dispatch, and apps for estimators and moving crews and more.

Top questions to ask when evaluating software vendors

When you’re evaluating software for your moving company there are a couple of key questions that you should ask to make sure you’re getting the best possible solution.

• Ask about ongoing training and support– what is included in the cost of your subscription? Do you get a dedicated customer success manager? What is the makeup of the customer success team?

• Ask to see a product roadmap to understand upcoming features and enhancements, and where investment dollars are being spent.

• Ask about ownership– most subscription-based software companies in this industry are either venture capital (VC) backed, or private equity (PE) backed. Companies that have VC funding are much more agile with more innovation, while those with PE funding often have less long-term innovation and less access to industry expertise via their investors.

• Ask about how flexible their product is. Can they customize it to make it work the way you need it to?

• Ask about the app experience for your movers. Does the software make it easy for your crew members to get the proper documents signed?

Recommended reading

SaaS vs Homegrown Software for Moving Companies: Compare the pros and cons of building your own software vs partnering with a trusted vendor.

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