With enhanced online penetration, search Engine Optimization has become critical to us all. Be it a business owner, a marketer, or someone who looks forward to a career in SEO, one can easily take up numerous online courses on SEO. We shall review the best free and paid SEO courses detailing their content, duration, and costs.
Free SEO Courses
Search Engine Optimization is a critical part of digital marketing, concerned with optimizing your website for better rankings in SERPs. If you want to improve your SEO skills without breaking out your budget, several free online courses will help. They are proposed to offer a basic understanding of the principles and methods of SEO that will improve your skills in increasing website visibility and, generally, driving more traffic. Following are some of the best free SEO courses you can avail of:
Free SEO Certification Course by HubSpot
This is why it would be a good thought for beginners to start with the HubSpot SEO Certification Course. The course is elaborate and yet in substance so digestible: from search engine optimization basics to discussion on what SEO is and why it’s essential, keyword research, and how you go ahead to find the right keywords for your content.
The very essential part of this course will be teaching on-page optimization, how to optimize your site content, meta tags, and URLs to achieve the best search engine rankings. Further, within the course, you will also find strategies for link building and detailed methods for building high-quality backlinks to increase the authority of your site.
Besides the core content, the course at HubSpot includes practical exercises and quizzes to help you internalize the learned content. This is a hands-on guarantee that if you learn concepts, you will practically apply them to your website. This course is self-paced for you to complete at your convenience.
SEO Training Course: Learn How To Get Organic Traffic From Search, Ahrefs
As advertised by Ahrefs, the Search Engine Optimization Course is for advanced users aspiring to implement proper SEO practices on their websites. Topics considered fundamental, such as keyword research, on-page techniques for search engine optimization, and link building, are covered here. Ahrefs uses some real examples and case studies to explain the concepts, which help a lot to realize how they could be applied in practice.
It has many, roughly totaling 4 hours of video tutorials, each focused on finding low competition keywords, on-page SEO, content optimization for search engines, and building high-quality backlinks. It also gives one the tools and resources to apply what’s learned.
One of the more remarkable traits of this course is that it is highly practice-oriented. Ahrefs will have you work on your website as you go through the course so you are hands-on with it. This way, you can apply all the strategies learned directly to rank your site better in search engines.
Free SEO Training: SEO For Beginners (Yoast)
This makes it a course for everyone in Yoast’s Free SEO Training. It gives an extensive step by step introduction, from the straightforward factual meaning of keyword research, on-page optimization, to technical optimization. The students will understand how search engines operate and learn to optimize their websites to be more visible in the search results.
The video content for the class and quizzes takes around 3 hours. Yoast’s training is very well-structured and, therefore, easy to follow. It is perfect for SEO beginners, with lessons on certain parts of SEO that are well explained and include examples.
Aside from the core content, Yoast’s course includes an interactive community forum to post any question, topic, or experience that enriches the course. That support may come in handy while working on adaptive changes within your SEO strategies after you’ve learned them.
SEO Training For Beginners by Shopify
Shopify’s SEO course for beginners is very detailed for e-commerce site owners. It covers the basics of optimizing product pages and creating good meta descriptions. It is quite short, at 2 hours, making it accessible for busy entrepreneurs.
The course supports these concepts with video tutorials and written guides, easing implementation. Shopify training also gives you tips and best practices for optimizing your Shopify store for SEO performance, which drives more organic traffic and results in more sales.
One of the huge positive points of this course is its emphasis on practicality. Shopify provides case studies and examples of how to apply the strategies learned in this course to your store. This will be a real help in starting to apply SEO techniques straight away.
Steering Through On-Page And Technical SEO (Semrush)
This free course by Semrush explains how to keep your on-page and technical SEO in line. It is a deep, hands-on study of the technical aspects of SEO in site audits, page speed optimization, structured data, and current mind-boggling projects in the field. This course is prescribed to be completed in approximately 5 hours.
The Semrush course is ideal for students who want to learn each nitty-gritty detail of the more technical components of SEO. It has interactive exercises for you to master, accompanied by real-time feedback. Each module is oriented toward one area of technical SEO and details it with examples.
Besides the core content, the Semrush course includes sheer access to their suite of SEO tools and resources, which will come in very handy as you move through implementing the strategies learned here to optimize your website, for better search engine performance.
Intro To Search Engine Optimization (WordPress)
WordPress has an introductory, free course on Search Engine Optimization for its users. In this course, one will find the various concepts of SEO like keyword research, content optimization, and making use of SEO plugins. With a total time frame of around 3 hours, this course is meant to guide the performance of the WordPress users’ site on search engines.
This course contains video tutorials as well as written guides for implementing the same.WordPress training includes tips and impartations on best practices for optimizing a site’s SEO performance, leading to the attraction of organic traffic or increasing visibility on search results.
One of the strong selling points of the course is that it’s action-oriented. WordPress cites examples and case studies to illustrate how strategies reviewed in the course can be applied to your site. This practical approach assures you of the fact that you will get to apply SEO techniques you will have learned at that very moment.
A Beginner’s Guide To Local SEO (BrightLocal)
Businesses wishing to lift their local search ranking can leverage a free guide on local SEO by BrightLocal. It covers the basics of local SEO; how to optimize Google My Business; local citations; and reviews management. This consists of videos and written content and takes about four hours in its entirety.
BrightLocal’s guide is suitable for businesses that operate locally and require an extra push in local SERPs. It gives actionable advice and case studies in the steps of local SEO strategy implementation. Since it’s module-based, you’ll find each component related to some part of local SEO for a detailed explanation, complete with practical examples.
Other than the core content of this guide, integrated is access to a suite of local SEO tools and resources from BrightLocal that, in working out the tactics learned from the class, will be very instrumental and will ensure that the local search performance of your business is well optimized.
Google SEO Fundamentals (Coursera/University Of California, Davis)
Coursera sets this free course in collaboration with the University of California, Davis. Pre-eminently, it includes some primary modules: keyword research, on-page optimization, and technical SEO. This is part of the bigger SEO specialization, so it will take around 29 hours for a student to be dedicated to learning the materials in detail.
The Coursera course includes quizzes and assignments that allow you to test your knowledge and apply what you’ve learned. Each module is dedicated to a different aspect of SEO. The course provides detailed explanations and practical examples, and you can also network with other course students or industry practitioners.
One of the main things that appealed to me in this course was that it had a very practical orientation: as you go through Coursera, you apply the knowledge you have acquired to your website, making it entirely hands-on. This helps to ensure that one can immediately apply learned strategies to improve your site’s SEO.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialization (Coursera/University Of California, Davis)
The full specialization on Coursera offers several courses that address any angle of approach toward SEO. Aimed at beginners and intermediate learners, it provides profound knowledge about the practice and strategy of SEO. The entire specialization takes about 6 months to complete, so full information about SEO is ensured.
Paid SEO Courses
Paid courses are Fully comprehensive and provide deep knowledge to take your skills to the next level. Most paid courses give access to leading industry professionals along with premium learning resources and one-on-one support not only during the duration of the course but after its completion as well. Here are some of the top paid SEO courses available:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Training Course (Simplilearn)
This is a training course by Simplilearn on SEO for professionals who are looking to upgrade in search engine optimization. It gives one knowledge in keyword research, both in on-page and off-page optimization and analytics. It is expected to take about 25 hours and costs $599. Experiences from the learning class are practiced by doing exercises based on the concepts learned.
Another thing is that, in the course of learning, Simplilearn gives one a community of SEO professionals and industry experts with whom one can relate and request support. This community support could be very important in applying the learned SEO strategies. Finally, on completion, Simplilearn offers a certificate that would add professional credibility to your resume.
One of the critical advantages of this course is the emphasis laid on its practical application. Simplilearn wants you to work with your website as you go through the course. This means you apply what you learn firsthand to see your site’s SEO strategies go into action immediately.
Technical SEO Certification (Moz)
Moz does offer specialized certification in technical SEO about site audits, page speed optimization, and advanced technical strategies. This includes many video lessons and practical exercises to try, amounting to about 10 hours of study time. The cost is $295. This course would certainly be ideal for building advanced knowledge in technical SEO.
Having a certification provided by Moz includes access to their suite of tools and resources related to SEO. This toolset may be quite resourceful while working on the strategies acquired within this course to implement optimization of your website better. Apart from this, Moz also gives a certificate that increases professional credentials at the end of their course.
One of the best things about this course is the focus on applied learning. Moz will keep telling you to work on your website, following the course. Doing so, in reality, you get a real application of learning and you are in a very good position to work with the strategies you are learning in practice to enhance the search effectiveness of your website.
SEO Competitive Analysis Certification (Moz)
It’s a course done by Moz that zeroes in on competitive analysis and keyword research. It will give you the tools and techniques to analyze the competition and develop effective SEO strategies. Course length: approximately 6 hours; price: $195. This helps one to understand the competitive landscape for their industry.
You will also have access to Moz’s suite of SEO tools and resources with this course. These tools are going to prove very useful as you implement the strategies you will learn in this course toward better placement of your website on search engines. On the other hand, after completing the course, Moz issues a certificate that helps with professional credentials.
One of the main strengths of this course is its focus on practice. Moz wants you to work with your own website while going through the course, so you get to apply the knowledge learned hands-on. This will ensure you can put the strategies right into action immediately to optimize your website for SEO.
ClickMinded SEO Certification
ClickMinded SEO Certification Course takes a very detailed approach, beginning with the basic principles of SEO and going into very advanced tactics on it. There are video tutorials, related worksheets, and quizzes, whereby the total running time is around 8 hours. It is priced at $497. This would be a great choice if you’re looking for a structured learning track with actionable insights.
It includes lifetimes’ access to course materials and certification updates, which means you can come back to the content whenever you want some refreshers or you needed to be taught the new SEO trends. You will also be awarded a ClickMinded certificate upon course completion, which will boost your professional credentials.
It has many strengths, one of which is that it leans strongly toward application. ClickMinded encourages you to work on your website throughout the course progression, giving you hands-on experience. It ensures you can apply strategies right away to better your site’s SEO.
Advanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Certification Training (Market Motive/Simplilearn)
This course is designed for people with SEO experience who desire to broaden their knowledge. It comprises an array of topics at an advanced level, such as mobile SEO, international SEO, and content marketing. About 30 hours and $899 are required to complete the course, making it worthwhile. This course will be useful for professionals with experience who seek to enrich their skills in SEO.
Market Motive certification includes access to industry experts and mentors who will help you in personalizing support. These can be important supports while working out the complex SEO strategies learned by you. On completion of the course, Market Motive provides a certificate that is additional accreditation for your professional credentials.
The primary benefits of this course are the practical measures that Market Motive gives toward the class. Market Motive advises the students to work on their website as they are taking the lessons, hence very practical in the approach. The same guarantees that you can immediately use the techniques learned to improve your website SEO.
SEO Training (Bruce Clay)
SEO Training by Bruce Clay. This is an advanced course and includes modules on technical SEO, keyword research, and content strategy. It’s going to run about 15 hours and costs $1,495. This one has all the deep stuff and is good for those looking at a more intense learning experience.
Bruce Clay offers training that allows access to its suite of SEO tools and resources. These tools come really in handy when you start implementing SEO strategies to optimize your website for better search engine performance. Besides, Bruce Clay gives a certificate to improve your overall professional credit upon completion.
A significant benefit of the class is its practical emphasis: Bruce Clay makes you do the work on your website as you review the materials, making it a hands-on learning opportunity. This, I must say, helps make sure that all the strategies you learn can be put to use right away in a move to better search engine results on your website.
SEO Basics
SERanking provides basic training in SEO, covering all key aspects of the subject. It is well designed for those beginning to become familiar with the technique of SEO. This course delivers a good and solid basis on keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building. It takes around 5 hours to complete and is quite affordable, at just $99.
The suite of tools and resources in this course by SERanking is complete: these tools are extremely valuable as you strive to implement strategies you learned toward optimizing your website for better search engine performance. A certificate will be available from SERanking on completing the course, so one can boast of better professional credentials with the help of this certificate.
One of the best qualities of this course is being practical. He would want you to work on your own website while you go through with the course. This makes things practical. This way, you can apply the strategies learned straight away to your site for its SEO.
The (Non-Techie) Marketer’s Guide To SEO (MarketingProfs)
This training is designed for marketers who need to get the meaning of SEO home without going too technical. The course will cover the basics of SEO, how to optimize your content, and how to link. The course is pretty short, about 3 hours and is priced at $595. This class is best suited for marketers who wish to integrate their SEO actions into their strategy without going into deep technical specifications.
The MarketingProfs course comes with access to all of their marketing resources and tools. These will be very valuable as you work towards implementing the strategies that you acquire towards optimizing websites to better operate under different search engines. Plus, MarketingProfs gives you a certificate upon completing the course, making it a credit of profession.
One of the most important things that this course underscores is a focus on practical application. The approach of the MarketingProfs course is action-based, which makes it motivating to any student to learn. Accordingly, it promises you will be able to apply into practice almost instantly what is being said in ways in which you help improve your websites’ SEO while learning.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) And Marketing (University Of California, San Diego)
This course is prepared by the University of California, San Diego, covering SEO and digital marketing strategies. Key modules to consider include keyword research, content marketing, and analytics. It takes 10 weeks and costs $2,500. This course is intended for those who want a more formal way of learning SEO and digital marketing.
UC San Diego’s course includes access to industry experts and mentors for one-on-one support, which can be instrumental in implementing SEO and marketing strategies learned in the class. Upon completion of the course, UC San Diego offers a certificate that would add more professional credentials to your resume.
One of the best things about the course is that it primarily focuses on practical application. UC San Diego prompts you to work on your website side by side with them throughout the course, letting you learn from doing. This way, once you have finished studying, you’ll do what was studied without delay to improve your ROI online.
Search Engine Optimization (University Of Phoenix)
The University of Phoenix offers a very detailed SEO class as part of the digital marketing program, in which one can learn from keyword research to technical optimization. The class is around 8 weeks long and costs $1,200. This course would suit those who want structured learning in SEO.
In addition, the University of Phoenix course has industry experts and mentors at your service whenever you need them, which becomes very important when you are applying the SEO strategies you learned. Moreover, the University of Phoenix certifies the course, which means the course adds value to the professional qualifications of its candidates.
The practical application is one of the major pros of this course. The University of Phoenix is very much aimed at encouraging one to very practically work on their own website while doing the course. Just-in-time learning will allow you to apply learned strategies to improve your site’s SEO performance from the moment you start.
Search Engine Optimization – University Of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town runs an exhaustive SEO course with both theory and practical exposure to SEO, modules involving research, on-page, off-page optimization, and analytics. The course lasts about 10 weeks, and the fee is $1,400. The course is beneficial for those aspiring to acquire in-depth knowledge about SEO principles and practices.
This course from the University of Cape Town includes industry experts and mentors who can assist you one-on-one. This might be instrumental in implementing the SEO strategies you have learned. Finally, as stated earlier, the University of Cape Town awards a certificate that can be used professionally at the end of the course.
One of the most essential features of this course is its focus on application. You would be encouraged to work on your website since the University of Cape Town offers a hands-on learning experience. This approach is to help ensure you apply the strategies as you learn them to improve your site’s SEO.
Foundations Of Search Engine Optimization (University Of Toronto)
This course from the University of Toronto is all about the core elements of SEO, from keyword research and content optimization to technical SEO. The duration of the course is about 6 weeks, and the cost is roughly $1,500. It is a valuable course for him who wants to gain a solid grip on SEO.
You will also have access to industry experts and mentors for personal support, which is a great help when implementing all the strategies for SEO learned through this course. Also, on completion, the University of Toronto provides you with a completion certificate that brings more weight to your professional credibility.
One of the key advantages of this course is that it is practical-oriented. To add on, it is very important that at the University of Toronto, you are encouraged to work on your own website while taking this course, thereby making the learning very practical. This will help to make sure that you are able to take what you have learned and make changes right away in order to better your SEO score for your site.
Conclusion
The best SEO course will depend on your entry-level knowledge, style of learning, and what it is, exactly, that you hope to achieve in the end. There are free introductory courses to enormous paid courses—it all depends on you. Putting a little money into an SEO course can teach you what it takes to make a site more visible and to drive organic traffic toward it.
