I've created a 90-day local SEO action plan for private charter businesses that actually works. Here's what most operators miss: they think SEO starts after launch. That's like waiting until takeoff to check your fuel levels.
Building local presence for a charter business requires 90 days of systematic work before launch. Research shows that 78% of local mobile searches lead to offline purchases within 24 hours. For charter services, that window is even shorter—wealthy clients want immediate booking options.
of local searches lead to purchases in 24 hours
more enquiries with 90-day head start
of charter bookings start on mobile
The pre-launch period offers unique advantages. You can test strategies without affecting live operations. You can build anticipation. Most importantly, you can hit the ground running on day one whilst competitors scramble to react.
The Pre-Launch Problem Nobody Talks About
Picture this: you're opening a private charter business next month. The aircraft are ready, the pilots are hired, but your phone isn't ringing. Why? Because Google doesn't know you exist yet.
Here's something I notice when talking with charter operators—they think SEO starts after launch. Your competitors have been building their local presence for years. You need to catch up fast.
The Early Bird Advantage
Charter companies that start local SEO 90 days before launch see 3x more enquiries in their first month compared to those that start after opening. The difference? They're visible when people start searching.
Days 1-30: Building Your Digital Foundation
Think about it this way—you wouldn't start flying without proper documentation. Same goes for your online presence. The first month is all about fundamentals and setup.
Week 1: Secure Your Digital Assets
- •Buy your domain name (keep it simple like yourcompany-jets.com)
- •Set up Google Analytics and Search Console
- •Create social media profiles on all major platforms
- •Research what your competitors are doing locally
Week 2: Google Business Profile Setup
Your Google Business Profile is like your airport slot—without it, you're not landing anywhere. Even though you're not open yet, you can create it now:
- •Mark yourself as "opening soon" with your launch date
- •Add every service category that fits (air charter, aircraft rental)
- •Upload professional photos of your aircraft
- •Write detailed business description using local keywords
Week 3: Local Keyword Research
Most operators think people search for "private jet charter." They don't. Real searches look like:
- →"private jet hire [your city]"
- →"charter flights from [local airport]"
- →"[your city] to [destination] private jet"
- →"executive jet rental near me"
For market-specific keyword strategies, see our guides for Singapore, Hong Kong, and other key aviation hubs.
Week 4: Create Your Coming Soon Website
You need at least a basic site that tells Google you exist. Include:
- •Landing page announcing your launch date
- •Your exact service area (which airports, which routes)
- •Contact form for early enquiries
- •Blog section for pre-launch content
Critical Foundation:
Start building citations (online mentions of your business) immediately. Focus on aviation directories first: Universal Weather, ARGUS, Wyvern. Then move to local business directories. Consistency is everything—same name, address, phone number everywhere.
Days 31-60: Creating Local Buzz
Month two is when things get interesting. You're building anticipation whilst teaching Google what you're about. This phase focuses on content creation and relationship building.
Weeks 5-6: Content That Captures Local Intent
Write blog posts that answer local questions:
- •"How to fly privately from [your airport]"
- •"Charter flight costs from [city] to popular destinations"
- •"[City] private aviation guide"
- •"Best aircraft for [local geography—mountains, short runways]"
Private jet local SEO isn't just about keywords. It's about proving you understand local needs. A London operator writes about avoiding Heathrow delays. A Manchester operator discusses quick access to the North.
Week 7: Local Link Building
Here's what works for building local authority:
- •Join your local Chamber of Commerce
- •Partner with luxury hotels and concierges
- •Sponsor local charity events (even small ones)
- •Connect with local business groups
Each connection is a potential link and referral source. Don't wait until launch—start relationships now.
Week 8: Review Strategy Preparation
You can't get reviews yet, but you can prepare:
- •Set up profiles on aviation review sites (not just Google)
- •Create review request templates
- •Plan your review generation process
- •Identify early supporters who'll leave reviews at launch
Days 61-90: Launch Preparation Sprint
The final month is about fine-tuning and amplifying everything you've built. This is when your systematic work starts showing real results.
Weeks 9-10: Technical Optimisation
Now's when you optimise what you've built:
- •Speed up your website (mobile users won't wait)
- •Add schema markup for local businesses
- •Create location pages for each airport you serve
- •Set up call tracking to measure what works
Week 11: Pre-Launch Publicity
Time to tell everyone you're coming:
- •Press release to local media
- •Social media countdown campaign
- •Email campaign to collected leads
- •Partner announcements with hotels and businesses
Week 12: Final Sprint
Your last week before launch:
- •Double-check all NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency
- •Schedule your first week of Google Posts
- •Prepare launch day content
- •Test all contact forms and phone numbers
- •Brief your team on asking for reviews
| Timeline | Focus Area | Key Actions | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1-30 | Foundation | GMB, website, keywords | Basic online presence |
| Days 31-60 | Authority Building | Content, links, citations | Growing visibility |
| Days 61-90 | Launch Ready | Optimisation, publicity | Primed for success |
Common Mistakes That Kill Charter Launches
Let me share what I see charter companies mess up constantly. These mistakes cost operators tens of thousands in lost revenue during their critical first months.
Targeting Too Broad
They optimise for "private jet" instead of "private jet hire Manchester." You're not competing globally on day one. Win your local market first.
Ignoring Mobile
67% of charter bookings start on mobile. If your site isn't mobile-perfect, you're invisible to most clients. The benefits of professional local SEO multiply when you nail mobile experience.
Fake Reviews Temptation
Never buy reviews. Google's AI spots patterns instantly. One fake review scandal can destroy years of reputation building.
Waiting for Perfection
Your website doesn't need to be perfect at launch. It needs to exist, load fast, and answer basic questions. You can improve it later.
The Technical Stuff That Actually Matters
You don't need to understand all the technical details, but these matter specifically for charter businesses launching in competitive local markets.
Local Schema Markup
This is code that tells Google exactly what you offer. For charter operators, include:
- • Service area (which airports and regions)
- • Aircraft types available
- • Operating hours
- • Price ranges (if comfortable sharing)
Mobile Page Speed
Your site should load in under 3 seconds on mobile. Every extra second costs you 20% of visitors. Use Google's free PageSpeed tool to check and fix issues systematically.
Local Landing Pages
Create specific pages for each route or airport you serve. SEO for charter companies in London requires different strategies than Manchester or Edinburgh operations.
Citation Consistency
Your business name, address, and phone number must match exactly across every directory. Even slight variations confuse Google and hurt local rankings.
Real Budget Considerations
Here's what this 90-day plan actually costs. I'm being completely transparent because understanding investment helps you plan properly.
| Approach | Components | Total Investment | Time Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Approach | Domain, hosting, tools | £400-500 | 20-30 hours |
| Hybrid Approach | Tools, freelance content, PR | £2,000-3,500 | 10-15 hours |
| Professional Support | Full strategy & implementation | £6,000-15,000 | Minimal |
Most new charter operators start DIY then upgrade once revenue flows. That's fine—just start somewhere. The worst choice is doing nothing whilst competitors capture your local market.
Measuring Success Before You Have Customers
How do you know if this is working before launch? Watch these specific metrics that predict post-launch success.
Month 1 Indicators
- ✓ Google Business Profile published and verified
- ✓ Website indexed in Google Search Console
- ✓ Appearing for brand name searches
- ✓ First citations live in directories
Month 2 Progress
- ✓ Ranking for long-tail local keywords
- ✓ Getting "opening soon" enquiries
- ✓ Partner sites linking to you
- ✓ Social media engagement growing
Month 3 Launch Ready
- ✓ Appearing in local map pack for some searches
- ✓ Collecting email list of interested clients
- ✓ Press coverage secured
- ✓ Review strategy ready to activate
Frequently Asked Questions
The Reality Check
Here's what nobody tells you about pre-launch SEO—it's a grind. You're building authority for a business that doesn't exist yet. You're creating content without customer stories. You're optimising for searches you hope will happen.
But here's why it works: when you launch, you're not starting from zero. Whilst competitors scramble to react to a new player, you're already visible. Whilst they wonder who you are, Google already knows.
Your Competitive Advantage
The charter businesses that dominate local searches didn't get there overnight. They got there by starting before everyone else thought it mattered. Your 90-day head start is your competitive advantage. Every major charter operator started where you are now. The difference between success and failure isn't resources—it's starting early and staying consistent.
For more insights on building your aviation presence, discover how our Google Business Profile strategies help charter operators dominate local searches, and explore advanced SEO techniques that multiply your organic visibility.
Ready to Launch with Maximum Visibility?
Your 90-day local SEO action plan for your private charter business starts today. Waiting until launch means you've already lost three months to competitors who planned ahead.
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