Many aviation businesses are investing in sleek aircraft, top-tier crews, and great service, but neglecting the digital front door that greets most new clients: their website.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is how today’s charter clients, maintenance leads, and aircraft buyers find you. Yet most aviation websites are riddled with silent blockers that cost visibility and leads.
Here are the seven most common SEO mistakes we see in aviation, plus how to fix them, with clarity, not complexity.
1. Using the Wrong Words
The Mistake
Aviation websites often lean on internal jargon like “aerial solutions” or overly broad phrases like “aviation services.” These don’t match what clients actually search for.
The Fix
Use simple, real-world keywords people type into Google. For example:
- “Private jet charter Miami”
- “Helicopter maintenance New York”
- “Jet card program vs on-demand charter”
Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to find those phrases. You’re not dumbing it down, you’re making it searchable.
Why It Matters
If your content doesn’t use the words buyers are searching for, your site won’t appear when it counts. Keyword alignment is what gets you seen before your competitors.
Quick Tip
Go to Google and type what you think your clients are searching for. See what auto-suggest fills in, and which sites rank. If yours isn’t there, or if the language feels unfamiliar, you may be off-track.
2. Letting Your Site Load Like a Freighter
The Mistake
Large images, outdated code, and poor hosting can drag your load times down. Users won’t wait, and neither will Google.
The Fix
Audit your site using Google PageSpeed Insights. Then:
- Compress images
- Minimize scripts and third-party widgets
- Use a CDN (content delivery network) to speed things up globally
Aim for a load time of around 3 seconds or less.
Why It Matters
Faster websites rank higher, keep visitors longer, and convert more often. Speed also affects how your site performs during traffic spikes, like after a newsletter or media feature.
Quick Tip
Visit pagespeed.web.dev and enter your homepage URL. If your mobile score is below 70, it’s time to optimize.
3. Skipping Meta Titles and Descriptions
The Mistake
Many pages have missing or generic meta tags, which means your listing in Google looks vague or irrelevant.
The Fix
Every page should have a unique meta title and description. Include your key location or service, and keep it under 60 and 160 characters, respectively.
Example:
Meta title: Private Jet Charter Dallas
Meta description: On-demand jet charter from Dallas. Request quotes, view aircraft, and fly within hours.
Why It Matters
Your meta title and description are the first thing people see in search. A clear, relevant snippet gets more clicks and signals relevance to Google’s algorithm.
Quick Tip
Search for your business name or a key service. Do the listings read like something you’d click on? If not, rewrite them using your Webflow page settings or CMS.
4. Ignoring Local Search
The Mistake
Operators and FBOs often forget about local SEO. They skip setting up or optimizing their Google Business Profile.
The Fix
Claim your Google Business Profile (if you haven’t already). Add up-to-date info, high-quality photos, business hours, and request client reviews.
Also make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are identical across your website, directories, and listings.
Why It Matters
Roughly half of all Google searches have local intent. That means someone nearby is likely searching for “jet charter near me” or “hangar rental [city].” Local SEO is what helps you show up in that crucial map pack and win business at the regional level.
Quick Tip
Search “[your service] near me” in Google Maps. Does your business show up? If not—or if it’s missing photos, reviews, or hours, you’re invisible to local buyers.
5. Copying Manufacturer Text
The Mistake
Many aircraft listings or service pages copy-paste specs from OEM sites or use generic descriptions. This creates thin or duplicate content.
The Fix
Write original content. Explain specs in plain language. Share common use cases or client preferences. Use your real-world experience to speak to your audience.
Example:
Instead of: “Range: 6,750 NM, Max Pax: 14”
Write: “Ideal for nonstop coast-to-coast charters, this aircraft seats up to 14 passengers and features a full galley and quiet cabin for productive travel.”
Why It Matters
Duplicate content doesn’t rank. Worse, it can trigger penalties. Google prioritizes helpful, unique content, and so do clients looking for expertise, not repetition.
Quick Tip
Paste a sentence from your aircraft page into Google in quotes. If other sites show up with the same wording, rewrite it.
6. Skipping Structured Data
The Mistake
Most aviation websites don’t use structured data (also called schema markup). This means missing out on search enhancements like review stars, pricing, or service categories.
The Fix
Use structured data to tag:
- Listings as products
- Testimonials as reviews
- Service pages with location and category info
Webflow supports this natively or with simple embeds. You don’t need to code it from scratch.
Why It Matters
Structured data helps Google understand your content more precisely. That can lead to “rich snippets” that make your search listings stand out and attract more clicks.
Quick Tip
Use Google’s Rich Results Test and paste in one of your URLs. If it says “No structured data detected,” you’re missing out.
7. Designing for Desktops Only
The Mistake
Too many aviation websites still prioritize desktop design. But the majority of visitors are now browsing on mobile.
The Fix
Use responsive design that adapts to phones, tablets, and laptops. Make sure buttons are large enough to tap, forms are easy to use, and content doesn’t require zooming.
Test it all yourself, don’t just trust what looks good in Figma.
Why It Matters
If your website feels broken on mobile, visitors will leave. Google also ranks mobile-friendly websites higher in search. A smooth mobile experience builds trust and drives conversions.
Quick Tip
Pull up your website on your phone. Try submitting a form or finding contact details. If anything feels slow, cramped, or broken, it probably is for your prospects too.
Final Thought
SEO doesn’t require magic. But it does require alignment—between what your audience wants and how your site delivers.
By fixing these seven mistakes, your aviation business becomes easier to find, more trustworthy at a glance, and more likely to convert passive traffic into real conversations.
If you’re unsure where to begin, we offer straightforward SEO audits tailored to aviation websites. No fluff, no long reports, just a clear readout of what to fix and what to expect.
Want in? Let’s take a look at your site.
