Moving and courier services in Japan: set up your Websta profile

What to include on your Websta profile page

Your profile page is your shop window. It replaces the need to build a website yourself. Start with a profile photo - a professional photo of yourself or your team helps customers recognise you. Add photos of your vehicle or vehicles, equipment, and if possible, examples of completed work like packed boxes or a tidy cargo area. Avoid blurry or cluttered images.

List the services you actually offer. Common service categories for movers and couriers in Japan include residential moving, office moving, packing services, storage coordination, item pickup and delivery, and special item handling. Be specific: do you move pianos or only standard household items. Do you pack items yourself or supply boxes only.

Write a short description of each service. Include what the service covers, what customers should prepare, and what your equipment or methods are. This helps people understand what to expect and reduces back-and-forth questions.

Set up a contact form and quote request option so customers can describe their job and you can reply with details. An online booking option works if your services are standardised, for example a same-day delivery within a set area. For complex jobs like house moves, a quote request is more practical.

Language and reaching customers across Japan

Japan has no single national search platform for local services the way some countries do. People search on Google Maps, Yahoo Japan, local classified sites, and increasingly on apps. A Websta profile in English reaches expat and English-speaking customers, but you reach more people if you also publish in Japanese.

If you work in multiple towns or prefectures, mention your service area clearly on your profile. For example, 'Serving Tokyo and surrounding prefectures' or 'Available for pickups within 50km of Osaka'. People in Japan often search by location first, so this helps them find you.

Add both languages if you can: Japanese attracts local customers, English attracts expats and businesses working with international staff. Even if your Japanese is not perfect, customers understand that English speakers may have limited Japanese. What matters is clarity about what you offer and your service area.

How people in Japan search for moving and courier services

In Japan, people searching for a mover or courier typically start with Google Maps or Google search, typing in Japanese terms like '引越し業者' (moving company), '運送' (transport), or '配送' (delivery). They filter by location and reviews. If they use Websta, they search by service type and postcode or area name.

Expats and English-speaking customers search in English on Google or on expat community sites. They often look for 'moving companies near me' or 'courier service Tokyo' (or their location). A Websta profile helps you appear in these searches if you publish in English.

Customers also look for photos, pricing transparency, and response time. If your profile is complete with photos and clear service descriptions, you are more likely to be contacted than competitors with bare profiles.

What to arrange as an independent provider in Japan

Before you start taking jobs, check what applies to your situation locally. Japan's labour and business rules vary, and what follows is general guidance - confirm with your local city office or tax authority before you trade.

If you are self-employed, you need to register with your local tax office. The process varies slightly by prefecture, but you typically go to the tax office ('税務署', zeimusho) in your area and register as a self-employed person ('個人事業主', kojin jigyo shu). You may need a business seal ('印鑑', inkan) and proof of address.

Tax and social insurance are your responsibility. You pay income tax on your earnings and may need to register for consumption tax ('消費税', shohizei) if you exceed a certain turnover - check the current threshold with the tax office. Self-employed people also arrange their own health insurance and pension contributions.

For moving and transport, check whether you need special licensing. A general courier or small-item delivery may not require it, but larger moving operations or certain types of cargo may. Your local labour bureau or transport authority ('運輸支局', un'yu shikugyoku) can advise.

Get insurance that covers your work. Professional liability and vehicle insurance are standard and expected by customers. This is not legally required to start, but it protects you and your customers.

Getting payments from customers to your bank account

Websta uses Stripe to handle card payments from customers. Money goes to your own Japanese bank account - you keep what you earn. You receive payments for jobs or quotes you complete. Set up your Stripe account with your Japanese bank details when you create your Websta profile, and Stripe manages the payment flow.

What to write in your first hour

Start simple. Write your profile name (your name or business name), your main service area, and list two to four core services you offer right now. Do not try to be comprehensive on day one.

Add one photo - a clear photo of yourself or your team. If you have a vehicle photo, add that too. No photos is better than blurry ones, but a profile with at least one image ranks better in searches.

Write a short description: who you are, how many years you have been doing this work, and what makes you reliable. For example: 'Independent mover with 10 years' experience. I handle residential and office moves across Tokyo and Yokohama. Careful packing, on-time delivery, fair pricing.'

Add a contact form or quote request option so customers can reach you. This is crucial - without a way to contact you, profiles do not work.

Do not worry about perfection. You can update your profile anytime. Polish the description and add more photos once you have started taking jobs.

Using the Websta marketplace for task requests

Websta also has a marketplace where customers post tasks - for example, 'I need movers for a 2-bedroom apartment in Shibuya on March 15th' - and providers make offers. You can browse available tasks in your service area and reply with your availability and quote. This is another way customers find you beyond your profile page.

To compete effectively, respond to task requests quickly and be clear about what you can do. Photos and a complete profile give customers confidence to accept your offer.