You're paying for every booking. Every guest costs you ad spend, OTA commissions, or both. Meanwhile, competitors with strong organic presence get free traffic that converts year after year.

SEO takes time, but it compounds. This 90-day plan gives you a clear roadmap to start building organic visibility for your vacation rental business.

Days 1-30: Foundation

Before creating content, fix the basics.

Week 1: Technical Audit

Run your site through Google Search Console and fix critical issues:

  • Mobile usability — Google indexes mobile-first
  • Page speed — Target under 3 seconds on mobile
  • Indexing issues — Make sure your property pages are indexed
  • Broken links — Fix 404 errors
  • SSL certificate — HTTPS is required

Week 2: On-Page Optimization

Optimize your existing property pages:

  • Title tags — Include location + property type + key feature
  • Meta descriptions — Compelling summary with call-to-action
  • H1 tags — One per page, include primary keyword
  • Image alt text — Describe images with relevant keywords
  • Internal linking — Link between related properties

Example title tag: "Oceanfront 4BR Beach House in Destin | Private Pool | Sleeps 10"

Week 3: Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile drives local visibility:

  • Claim and verify your listing
  • Complete every field
  • Add photos (at least 10 high-quality images)
  • Collect and respond to reviews
  • Post updates weekly

Week 4: Keyword Research

Identify keywords worth targeting:

  • Location + property type — "vacation rentals in [city]"
  • Location + amenity — "[city] beach house with pool"
  • Location + occasion — "family reunion house [city]"
  • Location + activity — "pet friendly cabins near [attraction]"

Use Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Semrush to estimate search volume.

Days 31-60: Content Creation

Now build content that attracts searchers.

Week 5-6: Location Pages

Create a dedicated page for each destination you serve:

  • Overview of the area
  • Why visitors come here
  • Best times to visit
  • Featured properties in this area
  • Local attractions and activities

Target 1,500+ words per location page.

Week 7-8: Blog Content

Start publishing destination-focused blog content:

  • "Things to do in [destination]"
  • "Best restaurants in [destination]"
  • "[Destination] travel guide for families"
  • "Best time to visit [destination]"

Publish 2 posts per week. Quality over quantity — make each post the best resource on the topic.

Days 61-90: Authority Building

Content alone isn't enough. Build authority through links and citations.

Week 9-10: Local Citations

List your business on relevant directories:

  • Local chamber of commerce
  • Tourism board websites
  • Vacation rental directories
  • Local business directories
  • Industry associations

Consistency matters — use the exact same business name, address, and phone on every listing.

Week 11-12: Link Building

Earn links from relevant websites:

  • Guest posting — Write for travel blogs in your destination
  • Resource pages — Get listed on "where to stay" guides
  • Local partnerships — Exchange links with local businesses
  • Press mentions — Reach out to travel journalists

Focus on quality over quantity. One link from a trusted travel site is worth more than 100 links from random directories.

Ongoing: Measurement & Iteration

Track progress and adjust:

Monthly Metrics

  • Organic traffic — Google Analytics
  • Keyword rankings — Track your target keywords
  • Organic bookings — Revenue from organic search
  • Indexed pages — Google Search Console
  • Backlinks — New links acquired

Quarterly Reviews

  • Which content drives the most bookings?
  • What keywords are gaining traction?
  • Where are competitors ranking that you're not?
  • What technical issues have emerged?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Duplicate content — Each property needs unique descriptions
  • Thin content — 100-word property descriptions won't rank
  • Ignoring mobile — Most vacation research happens on phones
  • No local focus — Generic content doesn't compete
  • Expecting quick results — SEO takes 6-12 months to show significant results

What to Expect

Realistic timeline for a new SEO program:

  • Month 1-3 — Foundation work, minimal traffic change
  • Month 4-6 — Early rankings for long-tail keywords
  • Month 7-12 — Noticeable organic traffic growth
  • Year 2+ — Compounding returns, reduced reliance on paid ads

The effort you put in now pays dividends for years. Start today.