Even the best of blogs will flourish only when lots of readers love it. And that takes traffic, which takes well-written content and good SEO. If you don’t know much about how to be findable by search engines like Google & Bing, why not learn SEO with free courses.
We bloggers are passionate people. When a subject interests us, and we deeply feel that the world would be a brighter place with our words, we write. A lot!
And somewhere along this journey, we stumble upon ‘Automated rules of reasoning’ or in other words the dreaded Google Algorithm. Next comes the heavy words in the SEO dictionary – what is SEO for on-page & off-page optimization, link-building, meta descriptions, keywords (that too long-tail), and Google.
Suddenly we are gripped by the enormity of the task – the overwhelm of realizing what needs to be done and not knowing how to do it. If you fear that SEO is too technical, and are wondering how to learn SEO basics, the best way forward then is one step at a time, at your pace.
What is SEO for a Blog?
SEO for your blog is quality content, written keeping your ideal user’s search intent. This means that you write for someone looking for answers, by using those key search terms (or keywords) to lead/optimize your content. This will help you increase your unpaid or organic traffic from search engines like Google by showing your blog higher in search results. Good content writing for SEO, takes time, patience, and purposeful effort.
It consists of 5 essential steps:
- Find a niche with high traffic potential
- Research & find the right keywords for your blog and business
- Create relevant, SEO-rich content
- Structure your content for reading ease and a better experience for the user
- Utilize link building strategies
Do you need SEO?
Starting SEO from the beginning will save you a ton of time from having to go back and do it later. These 120+ Spectacular SEO Stats can provide you with a strong overview of SEO’s continued importance
Can I do SEO on my own?
Not only can you do SEO for your blog yourself, but as a boot-strapped blogger, you can even do it for free. A lot of bloggers and business owners DIY their initial SEO before hiring a pro. It includes creating a repeatable system for keyword research as well as standardizing a template for an SEO friendly blog design.
It is a good idea to learn the SEO basics at your own pace with the right guidance so that you’re not inundated. These best SEO courses and tools for beginners are about learning, but doing so in stages, so you don’t end up feeling overwhelmed trying to do it all.
Explore these free SEO courses for bloggers & beginners+ more helpful tools & resources!
Choose from this awesome list of free online courses , tools and SEO best practices to DIY the SEO for your blog or business. Whether you are a beginner blogger or a seasoned one, these courses will help you confidently dip your toes (and more) into the world of SEO and bolster your SEO strategy. If you want an informed jumpstart, you can review how Google Search works. Plus, refer to this list for a complete glossary of SEO terms and definitions.
SEO Nibbles Course
This is a course created by award-winning SEO copywriter and SEO consultant Kate Toon for small business owners, bloggers, e-commerce store owners, and marketing managers. Aimed at absolute beginners, it clearly explains SEO best practices, what is SEO, and what to do before you even build your website. Delivered via email, simply click through to the content to follow the learnings and watch the videos. Once you complete day one, you can choose to jump ahead to days 2 and 3 or just wait for the emails to tackle them afresh each day.
SEO Email Course
This email course covers the 10 Myths and Mistakes made by beginner bloggers and how to avoid them. It is created by Debbie Gartner, author of two successful SEO books, who shares that her methodology helps her get 500,000 pageviews/month on her blog and the majority is SEO traffic. Written in her conversational, easy style, it can give you some great insights on what is SEO, before you decide to dive deep.
If you need more help with SEO and are looking for a lot of in-depth info that’s easy to understand, Debbie also has an extremely popular Easy On-page SEO guide.* It’s a 50+ page eBook that covers on-page SEO optimization to make your blog posts rank well.
*(This is an affiliate product and we will make a commission if you buy via this link. However, our recommendation is unbiased and we believe that this super informative and easy-to-follow guide will get you writing in a Google-friendly way in no time!)
SEO for beginners Bootcamp + a free SEO Resource Library
This is a 4-Day SEO for Beginners Bootcamp by Leanne Wong, who has “taught 1,000+ students how to successfully market & grow their business online.” From how to find a niche to creating a solid keyword strategy and SEO rich content, this course is a combination of Video and text. There is also a free SEO Resource Library that gives you access to tons of free SEO checklists, workbooks, and a Masterclass.
Want to monetize your blog with an engaged readership?
Choose the right blogging niche!
SEO & Keywords Course
This course by Content creator & educator Chelsea Clarke of Her Paper Route starts with SEO basics – from off-page and on-page SEO to how to let Google know your website exists. Then it delves into understanding SEO Keywords, followed by a module on content writing for SEO. This course is primarily text-based, but has a few videos too, and can be completed at your own pace.
6 day SEO email Boot camp
Over the duration of six days, this free email course created by blogger and side-hustler Trinity Owens. walks you through SEO from start to finish. Intended for both SEO beginners and intermediates, it breaks down the important steps of SEO for bloggers, so you can learn exactly what it takes to get organic traffic to your business. With easy-to-follow instructions. printable SEO checklists’ and daily challenges to implement, get the skills needed to rank your articles on page one of Google.
Want SEO basics? Get answers to What is SEO, Keywords for your blog and lots more
Want to view all the free SEO courses listed above in one glance? Click image below 👇
Stupid Simple SEO Training
This SEO Starter pack is a 6-video series and step-based tutorial, taught by dad and SEO expert Mike Pearson, creator of The Scale With SEO System. It covers the gamut of topics from what is SEO to niching down, domain authority, keywords 101, and an on-page SEO checklist and more. Learn how you can use SEO to scale your blog’s traffic and income and stop relying on Pinterest every single day.
SEO unlocked
Getting into the right mindset for SEO, SEO factors, competitor keyword research, link building tactics, etc are some topics covered in this 7-part course. Presented by top marketer Neil Patel, it is a better option for intermediate bloggers and business owners who need help with their SEO strategy. This course also shares details of Neil Patel’s own free keyword tool Uber Suggest.
Keyword research video training
A quick video training that you can watch along with lunch any day, it deep-dives into how to actually do Keyword research to get more of the right traffic. Food Blogger and Marketer Eb Gargano will show you how to create content that is right for your business and audience.
SEO training course by Moz
This course does tend to get a little technical at points so prior, basic knowledge of SEO could prove useful. But overall, it is a good free course for developing the action items for both your SEO and your content marketing strategy. Presented by ex-founder of Moz, Rand Fishkin, it is a 3.5-hour video course that you can easily finish over a weekend.
Competitive Research and Analysis Course
A subset of a complete SEO strategy, smart competitive research is key to gaining a crucial advantage in your industry. This self-paced course by SEO Expert and Podcaster Rebecca Gill provides text and video-based training for deep diving into your competitors’ website or blog. It will teach you how to know what your top competitors rank for and why they do so!
Grow your blog with the right tools (and for free!)
Get content checklists, essential on-page elements, how to be profitable, and more!
Blogging for Business Video Course
This is a 5-hour video course from Ahrefs which focuses on 2 key components of finding content with high value as well as finding the right keywords. It also has modules devoted to a key part of SEO which is building authority via backlinks. Plus, how to build links and promote your content.
Plus: Try these free and helpful SEO Resources to enrich your understanding further.
According to SEO strategist Meg Casebolt, “you can get found on Google without needing a degree in nerdspeak.” Broken down into charts and tutorials, this guide even includes an SEO blog post checklist and an SEO keyword mad-libs.
Search Engine Optimization Fundamentals
This course created by the University of California, Davis, is promoted by Google on their learning platform but bear in mind that it is from 2016 or earlier. It covers the key elements for creating an effective SEO strategy, including how to select keywords and perform keyword research. It also talks of consumer psychology and search behavior; and how to conduct on-page SEO analysis to identify opportunities to improve a website’s search optimization.
A 13 hour course divided into 4 modules, it also offers a quiz at the end of each module.
Rock your blog!
Find the right answers & advice on the best business blog for women
Search Engine Optimization Guide
Technically not a course, but this is Google’s own starter guide on Search Engine Optimization. It shares incremental improvements, which when combined with other optimizations, can have a noticeable impact on your site’s user experience and performance in organic search results.
Periodic Table of SEO Factors Infographic
Get set with SEO experiments! Use Search Engine Land’s Periodic Table of SEO Factors to understand the elements essential to a winning SEO strategy. Each element in the table represents a factor that you need to consider to be successful in SEO. The relative importance of factors may vary depending on your vertical
SEO for Beginners: Rank #1 In Google
For those new to SEO, this quick video by ‘SEO Genius’ Brian Dean is a complete SEO for beginners walk-through and guide. With tactical examples, you’ll learn how to optimize your content for users and search engines and rank your site on the first page of Google.
The SEO Marketing Hub 2.0, A Free Library of SEO Resources
For those new to the ‘SEO Genius’ Brian Dean’s videos, this is a complete updated free resource library that covers over 41 key topics — including Schema, sitemaps, SEO software, content audits, link bait, SEO best practices, and the SEO Marketing Hub.
As you browse this line-up of free SEO resources, you can also evaluate the expertise of the pros behind them and see who you might even want to work with. Bear in mind that some of these resources may not be updated frequently so do your homework as well. Once you are familiar with basic SEO, it is advisable to review Google’s Algorithm updates periodically – or read about them online – as your strategies might need to adapt.
Conclusion
Understanding SEO is an extremely important skill for bloggers and business owners and it starts with an SEO mindset. Every day, 15% of the queries Google processes are ones that have never been seen before. Your original, relevant content can make an impact. You just have to train yourself to think like a search engine, and your customer. Understand SEO first. Then set realistic goals and plan small, tactical small steps to achieve them. Every purposeful, incremental change will help you attract more organic traffic and ultimately more revenue.
Isn’t that the point of business?
You can’t use up creativity. The more you create, the more you have.
A Designer and Entrepreneur, Aditi graduated from a top design school and subsequently started her own design and merchandising business. Co-founder at Maroon Oak, she has over 17 years of business experience with Two Dotts, her design consulting company and an Etsy store which serves as an outlet for her gifts and patented product designs.
A mother to a teen and a tween, she enjoys running, dancing and raising her newest baby, a Bichon named Miltie.
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Hey, It is worth reading your blog, SEO certification course online aims to provide you with fundamentals as well as in-depth knowledge.
Thank you so much for all these awesome SEO resources! I just finished Stupid Simple SEO, which already helped me grow lots, now it’s time for the next course. Will definitely pick one of the courses mentioned here. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the article. I had a great time reading this, the article was informative and useful.
Some really useful tips here. I’m going to start working on my site now. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. I’m just about to start working with Leanne which I am really excited about.
This is a great read. Search engine optimization is incredibly important for marketers. It’s nice that you have shared your thoughts on this. You have clearly discussed SEO from A-Z.
Being new to blogging, SEO is my biggest fear right now. I’ve been researching but still struggling. I have taken some free courses but they haven’t helped. I will be checking these out this week. I am seriously considering the Stupid Simple SEO but not sure I’m ready for that being only 2 months in. Thanks for this information.
This is really great information! SEO is such a difficult topic to master. Thanks for the great resources!
This is a great list. So many times I see people asking for $100s of dollars for basic tips. But all these courses can save you some money
Wow! Thank you so much for this tips! I am actually having a hard time doing all my blogs at the same time applying SEO on it but I know it would be a great help in my website. I am definitely going to strive more for the SEO of my website, I am so motivated because of this blog!
Great list! I’ve bookmarked this page and am going to check out several of them.
this was such a great list of resources! Cannot wait to dive into them!
Wow this is a fantastic list of free seo courses and I would love to especially check out Debbie’s. I have heard great things about her course!
Excellent article, quite comprehensive and very useful!
This is so helpful. It can be overwhelming to learn about. Thank you!
Thank you so much! This exactly what I need. I’m still struggling with SEO so I want to invest in a good SEO course.
Excellent list. I struggle with SEO and I will be checking out these courses in the future.
Omg this is so helpful, things can get so complicated and overwhelming when it comes SEO!
This is an excellent list! So comprehensive! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll definitely be checking out some of these resources.
Wow, thanks for putting these together! There are so many to check out.
I can’t wait to take some of these courses, I feel so lost with SEO and keywords. Thanks for the help!
I was looking for some new SEO courses to take and your post has great ones. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work!
Have been blogging for two years now and still can’t wrap my head around SEO. This is most helpful! Thanks!
This is exactly what I needed. I like to believe that I know what I’m doing when it comes to SEO but when faced with it, I draw blanks.