Case Study: Transforming WM Aviation's Digital Presence

Case Study: Transforming WM Aviation's Digital Presence

August 7, 2024•Benjamin Thomas
case-studyaviationweb-developmentclient-success

When Waltzing Matilda Aviation came to ForIT, they had a clear vision: create a digital presence that matched the premium experience they deliver in the skies. Here's how we made it happen.

The Challenge

WM Aviation, operating both Connect Airlines scheduled service and private charter operations, needed a website that could:

  • Appeal to high-net-worth charter clients
  • Maintain professional credibility for Part 135 operations
  • Load instantly on any device
  • Convert visitors into qualified leads
  • Integrate with their existing booking systems

Their previous site was functional but didn't reflect the sophistication of their fleet or the caliber of their service.

Our Approach

Week 1: Discovery and Strategy

We started by understanding WM Aviation's unique position in the market. Named after the founder's beloved Australian Shepherd who flew with the family, WM Aviation brings a personal touch to private aviation.

Key insights we uncovered:

  • Their typical client values discretion and efficiency
  • Mobile traffic accounted for 65% of visits
  • Most conversions happened after hours
  • Competitors' sites were slow and cluttered

Week 2: Design and Development

We built the new WM Aviation website using:

  • Next.js for lightning-fast performance
  • Azure Static Web Apps for global CDN delivery
  • Custom booking integration via their existing APIs
  • Mobile-first responsive design that looks stunning on every device
  • AI-assisted development to accelerate delivery while maintaining quality

The design philosophy was "sophisticated simplicity" - clean lines, professional imagery, and clear calls-to-action. We leveraged AI tools to speed up development, allowing us to focus more time on aviation-specific features and user experience.

Week 3: Optimization and Launch

Before going live, we:

  • Optimized every image for web delivery
  • Implemented structured data for better search visibility
  • Set up comprehensive analytics tracking
  • Configured A/B testing for key conversion points
  • Created automated backup and rollback procedures

The Results

The numbers tell the story:

Performance Metrics

  • Page load time: Reduced from 4.2s to 0.9s (78% improvement)
  • Mobile score: 99/100 on Google PageSpeed
  • Core Web Vitals: All metrics in "green" zone

Business Impact (First 60 Days)

  • Bounce rate: Decreased by 52%
  • Average session duration: Increased 3.2x
  • Quote requests: Up 340%
  • Organic search traffic: Up 85%
  • Conversion rate: From 1.8% to 6.4%

Technical Highlights

Smart Performance Features

We implemented several advanced optimizations:

  • Progressive image loading with blur-up effect
  • Route prefetching for instant navigation
  • Static generation for SEO-critical pages
  • Edge caching with 99.9% cache hit rate

Integration Success

The website seamlessly connects with:

  • FlightBridge for real-time aircraft availability
  • Their CRM for lead management
  • Google Analytics for conversion tracking
  • Microsoft Teams for instant lead notifications

Client Testimonial

"ForIT didn't just build us a website - they created a digital experience that matches the premium service we provide in the air. Our charter bookings through the website have more than tripled, and we're now ranking #1 for key search terms in our markets. The ROI was evident within the first month."

— John Thomas, CEO, Waltzing Matilda Aviation

Key Takeaways

What Made This Project Successful

  1. Deep Industry Knowledge: Understanding Part 135 operations meant we could speak the language and anticipate needs.

  2. Performance Obsession: Every millisecond counts when high-value clients are browsing.

  3. Conversion Focus: Beautiful design means nothing without business results.

  4. Rapid Iteration: We deployed updates daily based on real user data.

  5. Smart AI Integration: We used AI tools to accelerate development, but aviation expertise guided every decision.

  6. Ongoing Partnership: Launch was just the beginning - we continue to optimize based on analytics.

The Technology Stack

For those interested in the technical details:

  • Frontend: Next.js 14 with TypeScript
  • Styling: Tailwind CSS with custom design system
  • Deployment: Azure Static Web Apps with GitHub Actions
  • Analytics: Google Analytics 4 with custom event tracking
  • CMS: Markdown-based for blog, API-driven for dynamic content
  • Performance: Cloudflare CDN with custom caching rules
  • Development Tools: AI-assisted coding for faster delivery, human expertise for aviation-specific requirements

Visit the Site

See the results for yourself at wmaviation.com.

Your Aviation Website Transformation

Whether you're a Part 135 operator, FBO, or aviation service provider, your website should be your hardest-working sales tool.

What WM Aviation achieved is repeatable. We've developed a proven process for aviation companies that delivers:

  • Modern, fast websites that convert
  • Integration with your existing systems
  • Ongoing optimization based on data
  • Technical support from people who understand aviation

Ready to Transform Your Digital Presence?

Let's discuss how ForIT can help your aviation company achieve similar results. We offer:

  • Free website performance audit
  • Risk-free 14-day trial
  • Month-to-month contracts
  • Guaranteed performance improvements

Schedule your free consultation or call us at +1 888 834 9448.

ForIT specializes in digital transformation for aviation companies. We've helped Part 135 operators, FBOs, and aviation service providers modernize their technology stack and digital presence. Learn more about our aviation IT services.

← Back to Blog