From Relocation Leads to Storage Upsells: SME Digital Strategies That Work
Most moving companies chase the next job. They complete the move, send an invoice, and never mention their storage facilities.
This gap costs removal companies thousands of pounds yearly.
The real profit sits in what happens after the removal van drives away. Storage services create recurring revenue during quiet months. The UK self-storage industry generated £1.2 billion in annual turnover in 2024, according to the Self Storage Association UK Annual Industry Report 2025, reflecting continued expansion.
With 0.94 sq ft of self-storage space per UK resident and over a billion in turnover, the sector offers untapped potential for removal firms to capture storage demand from renters and downsizers.
Why Moving Companies Miss the Storage Opportunity
Your typical customer needs storage within weeks of their move. Their new home is smaller, or they’re keeping furniture for grown children. Perhaps they’re running a small business from home and need somewhere for stock.
The disconnect is simple. Customers see you as “the removal company,” not “the storage company.” Yet you’re perfectly positioned to serve both needs.
Your customers want storage. They just don’t think of their removal company as a storage provider.
Building Your Digital Foundation
SEO for Dual Services
Update your Google Business Profile to include storage options. Add photos of your facilities. List both moving and storage in your services section.
Create separate landing pages for each location you serve. One page targets “house removals Manchester” whilst another focuses on “secure storage Manchester.” This helps Google understand that you offer both services.
Take Bailey’s Moving and Storage, for example: this leading US-based moving and storage company operates in Colorado and Utah. It structures its site to highlight both local moves (e.g., Denver or Salt Lake City relocations) and long-distance services through its Allied Van Lines partnership, making it ideal for UK firms seeking to emulate cross-border reach.
Dedicated pages showcase warehouse storage alongside packing and interstate and international moving options, signaling to Google their full-service range from both short-haul jobs to extended logistics and storage solutions.
Content Marketing That Educates
Write blog posts bridging moving and storage topics: “What to Do When Your New Home Has Less Cupboard Space” or “How Long Can I Store Furniture Between Moves?”
These articles help customers whilst showcasing expertise. They also improve your search engine rankings for storage-related queries.
Video Testimonials That Convert
Film customers who used both services. Real people explaining how you solved their problems carry more weight than sales pitches. Post these on your website and share them across social media channels.
The Reverse Funnel Strategy
Traditional funnels chase cold leads. The reverse funnel starts with people who already trust you
Stage Tactic Conversion Rate Revenue Value
Cold “Storage near me” Google Ads 3.65% £50/lead
Warm Email past customers 15-25% £1,800 LTV
Repeat Month 6 discount offer 40% retention £900/year renewal
Referral Video testimonial sharing 10% of clients £12K new business
Google Ads for Storage
Run adverts targeting “storage near me.” Make your moving expertise the selling point: “Already Moved 5,000 Families - Now Storing Their Belongings Too.”
LinkedIn for Business Customers
Commercial moves create immediate storage needs. Target facilities managers on LinkedIn with case studies about office relocations with integrated storage.
Email After Every Move
Automate check-ins:
Month 1 - “How’s the new place?”
Month 3 - “Many customers need storage by now.”
Month 6 - “Special rates for past customers.”
Research shows storage creates reliable ancillary revenue, smoothing seasonal dips. Businesses earn an average $2 for every $1 spent on Google Ads (2:1 ROAS), according to Google's Economic Impact benchmarks cited by Uproas and 2025 industry reports.
Quick Wins to Implement
Update Email Signatures
Add, “Did you know we offer flexible storage solutions?” with a link to your storage page.
Add Storage to Google Business Profile
Update your GBP services section to include "warehouse storage" and upload facility photos. Immediate local pack ranking boost.
Retarget Recent Visitors
Use Google Ads to show storage adverts to people who visited in the past 90 days. These warm leads already know your brand.
Feature Both Services Equally
Does your homepage give equal weight to moving and storage? Put storage front and centre, not buried in the footer.
Text Past Clients (SMS)
Send "Still need storage space? Past customers get 20% off the first month" to customers from the last 6 months. 98% open rate guaranteed.
Start with #1 and #2 this week; zero cost, immediate impact on warm leads and local SEO visibility.
Final Thoughts: Why This Approach Works
Digital marketing maximises existing customer value. Your customer who moved six months ago pays £150 monthly for storage, that’s £1,800 yearly from one relationship.
According to industry data, the majority of removal companies cite rising costs as their top challenge. Labour, fuel, and insurance all cost more. Storage services offset these costs with dependable monthly income.
Most removal companies operate as they did 10 years ago, relying on word of mouth. By using digital marketing to connect your services, you stand out.
Start small this week. Update your Google Business Profile. Email past customers about storage.
Each step builds toward lasting customer relationships, generating reliable monthly revenue.
Source:
UK Annual Industry Report 2025
https://www.ssauk.com/publications/uk-annual-industry-report-2025.html
90+ Google Ads Statistics: Revenue, PPC Benchmarks, and Advertising Insights
https://www.uproas.io/blog/google-ads-statistics