9 ways to improve your fishing charter SEO to rank on Google

Imagine a traveler standing on a dock, phone in hand, searching Google for ‘fishing charters near me’. If you’re not showing up on the first page of results, you’re losing bookings to competitors who are.

The good news? You don’t need to be an SEO expert to improve your rankings. With a few smart updates to your website, you can attract more organic traffic and drive direct bookings. Let’s reel in nine actionable SEO tips that will help your charter business get noticed, plus how FareHarbor Sites can support your success.

1. Make your website mobile-friendly

A majority of online bookings happen on a mobile device, especially if travelers are searching while on vacation.

If your website isn’t optimized for smartphones, it could look outdated, load slowly, or be hard to navigate — turning eager bookers into lost opportunities. Worse, Google ranks non-mobile-friendly sites lower in search results.

A mobile-responsive site ensures that your content automatically adjusts to any screen size, offering a seamless experience whether someone’s booking from their phone on the dock or researching from their tablet at home.

Pro tip: FareHarbor websites use mobile-first design so your tours look great and book fast — anywhere, anytime.

2. Use strategic page titles and meta descriptions

Your page title and meta description — the one to two sentences below a title in search results — are the first impression you make. If they’re unclear, too generic, or missing entirely, you’re not giving travelers a reason to click.

Many fishing chargers either leave their meta descriptions blank or copy the same generic phrase across multiple pages. This not only confuses searchers but can also make your pages look identical in search results, reducing your click-through rate.

Well-written titles and descriptions signal relevance to Google and provide a preview of your content to searchers, helping you earn more clicks and higher rankings over time.

Use location-based keywords in your titles (like “fishing charter in Kona, Hawaiߵi) and write descriptions that highlight what makes your trips unique. Think local, regional, and statewide. 

This tells Google what your page is about and informs travelers why they should book with you.

3. Focus your content on the right keywords

If your website isn’t using the same keywords your customers are searching for, you’re missing out on traffic. 

When you use local keywords — like “deep sea fishing [location],” “private charter near [city],” or “family-friendly fishing trip in [island name]” — you increase your chances of appearing in the exact searches your ideal guests are making.

The goal isn’t to stuff your site with these phrases, but to weave them naturally into headers, tour descriptions, image alt text, and FAQs so Google knows your site is relevant.

A common trap is keyword stuffing — repeating the same phrase unnaturally throughout the page. Not only does this make your content harder to read, but Google may penalize you for it. Focus on writing naturally for your customer first, and sprinkle in relevant keywords where they fit organically.

Pro tip: Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner or AnswerThePublic to research popular fishing charter search terms in your area.

4. Link your pages together with internal links

Internal linking helps visitors navigate your website easier and helps Google understand which pages are most important.

When you link from your homepage to key tour pages, or from a blog post to your booking page, you’re creating a logical trail that both humans and search engines can follow. 

This helps information flow more smoothly, making it easier for customers to book — and increasing the likelihood that Google will scan and rank more of your pages.

Think of your website as a map. If your pages don’t link to each other, visitors and search bots may hit dead ends.

Example: “Looking for a shorter trip? Check out our half-day fishing charters.” Then, include a link pointing directly to a relevant page.

5. Improve your site’s speed and technical performance

Speed isn’t just a convenience — it’s a ranking factor. If your website takes more than a few seconds to load, potential customers may leave before they even see your tours. 

And Google takes notice. A slow site leads to a higher bounce rate, which can drag your rankings down.

Fast-loading pages also improve the booking experience and increase the chances that someone will complete a reservation on the spot.

Compressing images, eliminating unnecessary code, and ensuring your site is secure (HTTPS) are all basic yet powerful ways to stay competitive online.

Pro tip: FareHarbor websites are designed to meet Google’s speed and security standards, so you don’t have to worry about the tech.

6. Set up and optimize your Google Business Profile

When travelers search for “fishing charter near me”, Google often shows a map with local business listings at the top of the page. This is known as the “map pack.” 

If your fishing charter isn’t listed (or optimized), you’re invisible in one of the most valuable spots in local search results.

A complete, verified Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) helps your business show up in those local results. Claim your listing and keep key info updated:

• Website
• Booking link
• Photos
• Business hours
• Phone number

Encourage customers to leave reviews. These also show up in your business profile and map pack. Reviews give potential guests even more reasons to book.

7. Earn backlinks from trusted local and travel sites

Backlinks — links to your website from other reputable sites — are one of the strongest signals Google uses to determine your site’s authority. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the more likely you are to rank above competitors.

Links from local tourism boards, travel blogs, marinas, or hotels in your area are especially valuable because they signal relevance and trustworthiness within your niche and location.

Pro tip: You don’t have to wait for someone to link to your charter. Proactively reach out and ask to be included in partner directories, blog roundups, or local guides.

8. Keep your content fresh and helpful

Google favors websites that are as fresh as your next catch. That doesn’t mean you need to rewrite everything, but adding new, helpful content shows you’re an active and trustworthy business.

Creating blog posts or resources like “Best fishing months in Alaska” or “What to expect on your first charter trip” gives Google more opportunities to index your site — and gives travelers more reasons to trust and book with you.

Don’t overlook your image alt text — the short descriptions you add to your images in your website editor.

Alt text isn’t just helpful for screen readers (though that’s important for accessibility). It also helps Google understand what your images are showing, which can improve your visibility in Google Image Search.

Don’t just publish and forget. Update your tour descriptions, policies, and FAQs at least a few times a year

Pro tip: Take your most frequently asked questions and turn them into a full blog post. This can reduce booking friction and improve your customer experience.

9. Work directly with FareHarbor Sites

The rewards of DIY SEO mean you learn more about your customers and gain control over your website.

However, DIY doesn’t have to mean you do it alone. Managing your own SEO can be time-consuming, especially when you’re also running trips, maintaining boats, and handling bookings.  

That’s where your FareHarbor website comes in.

After working with hundreds of fishing charters, FareHarbor Sites takes the guesswork out of SEO by building websites that are optimized from the start.

You’ll get:

• Mobile-friendly design: With most travelers booking on their phones, your site will look great and work seamlessly on any device, whether they’re browsing from home or standing on the dock ready to book.
• SEO-optimized website: We build your site using proven SEO best practices, so you rank higher on Google and get found by more travelers searching for fishing charters in your area.
• Fast, secure, and reliable performance: We prioritize speed and security to keep your site running smoothly. Faster sites not only improve the booking experience but also boost your rankings in search results.
• Expert support and ongoing updates: From content setup to ongoing performance improvements, our team handles the technical heavy lifting, so you can stay focused on what you do best: running unforgettable fishing adventures.

That means your business gets found faster — and booked more often — without having to juggle plug-ins, platforms, or outside developers.

Want to see how your website stacks up? Request a demo to learn how FareHarbor Sites can help you climb the ranks and grow your fishing charter business.