In today's digital age, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the secret weapon for skyrocketing your online presence. Mastering the art of SEO can be a game-changer, but with the vast amount of information on the topic, zoning in on the right resources and up-to-date information can be a daunting task. Fear not! In this comprehensive guide, I curate the best, up-to-date, budget-friendly or free online SEO courses and resources that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to conquer search engine rankings and dominate the digital arena.
Here are my top picks of the best free and affordable online SEO courses and DIY learning resources:
Hubspot has long been one of my go-to resources for digital marketing tips and best practices.
Their learning platform, HubSpot Academy, offers excellent marketing resources, including a free SEO Training Course that will equip you with the necessary skills to drive organic traffic to your website.
From understanding search engine algorithms to mastering on-page optimization and link building strategies, this course covers a wide range of SEO essentials.
Cost: Free
Duration: Self-paced
Certificate: Yes, upon completion. Hubspot Academy's certifications are widely recognized in the industry.
Visit the course page for the full curriculum, instructors, and more information
SEMrush, a renowned name in the SEO industry, offers a free and comprehensive course that covers the basics of SEO.
Here’s another excellent SEO course tailored for those eager to learn or brush up on SEO fundamentals. SEMrush, a reputable name in SEO, provides a comprehensive free course covering the basics of SEO. This course covers a wide range of topics, such as search engine operations, crawling, indexing, ranking, SERP layout, on-page signals, technical SEO, and mobile SEO, among others.
By completing this course, you will gain a better understanding of SEO strategies and techniques to drive increased traffic and customers to your website.
Cost: Free
Duration: Self-paced
Certificate: Yes, you will receive a certificate from Semrush Academy upon completion
Visit the course page for the full curriculum, instructors, and more information
This is a specialization program consisting of five courses that cover all aspects of SEO, from keyword research and on-page optimization to technical SEO and link building. The courses are taught by industry experts and provide hands-on exercises and projects to apply your knowledge.
Courses Included in the Specialization:
You have the option to enroll in each of these courses individually or as part of the comprehensive specialization program, concluding with a practical Google SEO Capstone project. This project will enable you to apply your knowledge and create a real-world SEO strategy.
Cost: Flexible pricing. (Check Coursera for pricing in your region) Free Audit option available (Free access without graded assignments or certificate).
Duration: 3 months at 10 hours a week. Self-paced
Certificate: Yes, upon completion of each course or the specialization program.
Coursera's courses are generally affordable and also offer a free "audit" option allowing you to access the course material for free without graded assignments or a certificate of completion. This option allows you to preview the course content before committing.
If you're looking for a good, budget-friendly SEO course, check out Reliablesoft Academy's "The Complete SEO Course". This program extensively covers all facets of SEO, including technical optimization, content development, link building, and SEO analytics. It offers clear, step-by-step guidance alongside real-life examples and downloadable resources.
Cost: $89 for the course bundle as of Feb 2024 (regional pricing may vary)
Duration: Self-paced
Certificate: Reliablesoft SEO Specialist certification.
Udemy is an excellent hub of affordable online courses. They offer a wide range of short, budget-friendly SEO courses, from "SEO 2024: Complete SEO Training + SEO for WordPress Websites" to "The SEO Playbook," and many more. There are options to suit every level of expertise. Browse through their vast library of courses, view the syllabus, and don't forget to read the reviews by past learners before choosing a course.
Udemy also offers frequent discounts and promotions, so be sure to check their website for pricing in your region.
Visit Udemy for the full library of courses and more information
Want to learn digital marketing and SEO directly from the experts at Google? Look no further!
This comprehensive certificate program by Google is aimed at providing learners with sought-after skills in digital marketing, and is great for beginners. The program is developed and conducted by experts from Google and contains plenty of practical, interactive exercises and assesments simulating real world digital marketing scenarios Although not solely focused on SEO, it covers various aspects of online marketing, including SEO, social media marketing, and marketing analytics.
This certificate program consists of seven courses, an applied learning project, and offers a Career Certificate by Google upon completion. You are free to take each of the courses individually if you prefer.
Courses included:
Cost: Flexible pricing (Check Coursera for pricing in your region). Free audit option available.
Duration: 4 months at 10 hours a week. Self-paced.
Certificate: Yes, Google Career Certificate upon completion of the specialization.
Visit the course page for the full curriculum, instructors, fees, and more information
This beginner-friendly course on LinkedIn Learning will teach you the skills needed to effectively promote a brand or business online.
While it isn't solely focused on SEO, this course provides a solid foundation in digital marketing, which includes essential SEO concepts. You'll learn about the latest digital techniques and tactics to build a successful online campaign across multiple channels including search engines, social media platforms, email, and display advertising. It will allow you to understand the broader landscape of online marketing and integrate SEO effectively into your overall strategy.
Cost: Flexible pricing. Free if you have LinkedIn Premium (or the 1 month free trial). Otherwise, you can buy the course for around $20-$30. Check LinkedIn for pricing in your region.
Duration: Self-paced.
Certificate: Yes, LinkedIn Learning Certificate upon completion.
Visit the course page for the full curriculum, instructors, fees, and more information
In addition to these courses, there are several other excellent DIY learning resources on the web for beginners to learn about SEO. Here are a few more noteworthy options:
Check out Google's comprehensive SEO Starter Guide that covers the basics of optimizing your website for search. It offers valuable insights into creating search-friendly content, optimizing website structure, and improving user experience. This guide is a useful resource for beginners and is available for free.
Backlinko, run by SEO expert Brian Dean, offers a wealth of practical SEO advice through its blog and YouTube channel. Brian's articles and videos are highly informative, actionable, and often backed by data-driven insights. From on-page optimization techniques to link building strategies, Backlinko's resources are a goldmine for beginners and experienced SEO enthusiasts alike.
Ahrefs, a leading SEO tool, provides a blog and YouTube channel packed with educational content. Their articles and videos cover a wide range of SEO topics, including keyword research, competitor analysis, and technical SEO. With in-depth tutorials and case studies, Ahrefs' resources offer valuable SEO insights and actionable tips for beginners.
Moz, a prominent name in the SEO industry, offers a comprehensive, free Beginner's Guide to SEO. This guide breaks down SEO concepts into easily digestible chapters, making it ideal for beginners. It covers everything from keyword research and on-page optimization to link building and SEO analytics.
SEO plugin provider Yoast's blog is another great resource with a wide range of articles, insightful tips, comprehensive guides, and updates on the latest SEO trends and practices. The blog covers various aspects of SEO, including content optimization, technical SEO, and WordPress SEO, from beginner's guides to advanced techniques.
Search Engine Journal's SEO Guide is another fantastic resource for beginners. It covers the fundamentals of SEO, including on-page and off-page optimization, technical SEO, and local SEO. You'll find detailed explanations, examples, and actionable tips to help beginners grasp and implement SEO strategies effectively.
Neil Patel, a well-known digital marketing expert, shares his expertise through his blog, which contains a vast range of SEO guides and articles. Whether you're looking to learn about keyword research, content optimization, or advanced SEO techniques, I recommend following his blog and social media channels for practical and actionable insights,
Level up your SEO game this year with these great courses and resources. Remember, mastering SEO is an ongoing process that takes time and practice. Alongside these courses, I highly recommend actively experimenting with the strategies you learn by applying them to your own website, blog, and other online channels. I also encourage you to follow the blogs and resources highlighted in this article to stay updated with the latest trends, changes, and best practices for free.
Do you have any other great SEO courses or resources you'd like me to check out? Let me know in the comments. If you find my articles valuable, please feel free to share them with your network as well. And don't forget to follow BuildThatSkill to get the best curated learning resources delivered straight your inbox.
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