As technological advancements are changing the world, it’s no surprise that the moving industry is not far behind. From automated packing to smart home technology, the moving industry is constantly evolving. As years pass, trends and innovations keep changing, pushing the limits of what is possible.
2022 was a remarkable year for the moving industry. Technology, environmental concerns, and evolving customer preferences drove the changes. As we move forward, what can we predict for the coming years? Will new technologies and innovations impact the moving industry’s growth and customer choices?
Let’s explore the top 8 moving trends and innovations shaping the moving industry and how these technologies can impact the future of relocation.
1. Eco-Friendly Moving
Eco-friendly moving, also known as Green Moving, is becoming increasingly important as more moving companies seek ways to minimize the environmental impact during the moving process. From decluttering your house to using environmentally safe packing supplies, the industry focuses on greening your move.
Here are some eco-friendly moving practices that moving companies are implementing:
- Using reusable plastic bins and packing materials made from recyclable or biodegradable materials
- Donating and selling items that customers no longer need
- Investing in hybrid or electric trucks
- Proper disposal of hazardous materials such as cleaning supplies and paints
You can expect a significant shift towards green moving in the coming years. By adopting these eco-friendly moving practices, both moving companies and customers can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible approach to relocation.
2. On-Demand Moving Services
Gone are the days of planning your move for months. In 2023, the moving industry is embracing the concept of on-demand custom moving services. As customers seek more personalized experiences, moving companies now offer tailored services to meet their specific needs.
Taking into consideration the budget, timeline, and type of items being moved, the moving packages are designed to provide a more customized and friendly experience. This means customers can choose the specific service they need, such as packing, loading, transportation, and unpacking, to make their move more efficient and cost-effective. Plus, focusing on specific needs can help you budget each section of your move. For instance, you can use a car shipping calculator to figure out how much it will cost to move any vehicles.
3. Use of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) Software
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems enable moving companies to manage customer interactions, track leads, schedule moves, and streamline their operations.
These software typically include features and tools that help any local vendor, such as if you have a moving company in Toronto, to easily manage its operations more efficiently and provide better services to its customers.
Some common functionalities and features of CRM include:
- Scheduling and dispatching
- Inventory management
- Quoting and estimating
- Payment processing
- Real-time updates
- Reporting and analytics
- Customer feedback and reviews
4. Embracing Mobile Apps for Moving
In the coming years, booking a move will be as easy as placing an online order. Need a strong hand to do the heavy lifting? Simply pull up a moving app, give your details, and you’re all set to relocate. With just a few taps on your phone, a team of professional movers will reach your doorstep quicker than you can imagine.
Not only limited to booking a move, customers can use mobile apps to receive real-time updates on their shipments, communicate with movers, and even make payments. This adds convenience to customers and benefits moving companies from improved logistics, route optimization, and better customer engagement through mobile apps.
5. Virtual Reality in the Moving Process
Virtual Reality is a gateway to endless possibilities in this industry. There are many ways virtual reality can be used in the moving industry. Traditionally, we spend hours visiting potential properties and visualizing whether our items would fit into the new space, which is a time-consuming task. However, with VR, the process will become easier as you will get the chance to experience a realistic virtual tour of your new space.
In the future, moving companies can help customers virtually explore new homes or offices before making a move decision. This means you can better plan your space and layout without guessing before you move.
6. Automated Customer Feedback Surveys
While manual customer feedback takes too much time and is commonly prone to human errors, getting automated feedback is the ongoing trend among moving companies. This lets customers share their honest opinions about their experiences with the movers.
In the current scenario, many platforms and tools can help companies gain valuable feedback and information related to the customers.
Below are some of the ways that are in trend to automate customer feedback surveys:
Email Surveys
- Email marketing software like MailChimp or HubSpot are quite useful tools for sending automated survey invitations.
- Automated triggers can be set up to send surveys after specific customer interactions.
Website and App Surveys
- This includes integrating survey forms into websites or mobile apps. Tools like Google Forms can be embedded easily.
- Pop-up or in-app survey triggers are also used to gather feedback when customers are actively engaging with your platform.
SMS Surveys
- Some companies send automated SMS messages with survey links using platforms like Twilio.
- Also, text messaging is an effective way to reach customers quickly and gather feedback in real-time.
Social Media Surveys
- Moving companies also automate the distribution of surveys on social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
- Social media management tools are widely used to schedule and distribute survey posts to followers.
The trend of using survey tools to collect customer feedback in the moving industry not only helps companies provide better services but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement, which ultimately benefits both businesses and their customers.
7. Chatbots and AI Assistants
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being employed for various purposes in the moving industry.
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide immediate customer support that makes the process more streamlined and responsive. The virtual assistants can sort customer queries, provide quick guidance, and even assist with booking a move.
Implementing chatbots or AI-powered virtual assistants on the website or within your apps helps companies engage with customers and gather feedback. Additionally, AI is used for route optimization, demand forecasting, and resource allocation to make moves more efficient and cost-effective.
8. Automated Packing and Unpacking
While fully automated packing and unpacking is not yet standard for most of the companies, there are emerging technologies that could pave the way for more automated processes in the future:
Robotics
Robotics and automation technology can be employed to develop robots that can efficiently pack and unpack items into moving boxes. These robots can be programmed to recognize and handle various objects, ensuring they are packed safely and securely.
Smart Packing Algorithms
Advanced algorithms can determine the most efficient way to pack items into boxes to optimize space utilization and reduce the number of boxes needed.
This can be integrated into packing software to guide human packers or robotic systems.
Automated Labeling and Inventory Tracking
RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) and barcode technology can automatically label and track items as they are packed. This simplifies the process of identifying and cataloging belongings. While these automated packing and unpacking concepts hold great potential, they have yet to be widely implemented in the moving industry.
In the future, adopting such technology may vary based on the size and resources of moving companies and customers’ preferences.
Get Ready for an Exciting Moving Journey
It is clear that the future of the moving industry will be filled with technology, comfort, and sustainability. Moving will no longer be limited to heavy lifting since the industry will bring major transitions to meet the needs and challenges of a rapidly changing world.
Whatever your moving requirements are, the closing of 2023 and the coming years promise to give you an exciting experience in the world of moving.
