How to Learn SEO Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, you can find dozens of tips and resources online; learning SEO is no different. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing your pages and website to rank higher on search engines. SEO strategies and techniques can boost a website's ranking and increase organic traffic. If you’ve always wanted to learn SEO, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in a way that works best for you.

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is a way to drive more traffic to your website and gain more customers. It depends upon content, technical website optimization, link building, and keyword research to ensure that your website appears near the top of a Google results page. A BrightEdge survey conducted in 2019 found that SEO is 1000% more effective at driving website traffic than organic methods like social media posts. Professionals who work with SEO are often called Website Optimization Specialists.

The primary goal of SEO is to build trust between your business and your users. You can do this through high-quality content, ensuring your website loads quickly in desktop and mobile versions, and optimizing your site for voice search. Another way to improve your rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs) is to create a “Google My Business” listing.

Read more about what SEO is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with SEO?

SEO is used to determine search engine success in three crucial ways: technical SEO, on-page SEO, and off-page SEO.

Technical SEO looks at a website's technical features and how they affect search engine rankings. These include the site structure, schema, and URL. The site needs to be easy to navigate with a clearly understood organization. Other aspects of technical SEO are website loading speed, mobile friendliness, voice optimization, and the XML sitemap.

The primary goal of on-page optimization is meeting the intent of the searcher/user with high-quality content. On-page content is essential and refers to everything that appears on a website, including text, keywords, images, tags, and internal links. Researching and choosing the best SEO keywords shows that the website has authority and is trustworthy.

Off-page SEO involves building links and strengthening social media engagement. Backlinks and social media help build authority and trust with search engines. Link building refers to finding reputable and relevant websites to link to your website or content. The more references to your content on other reliable sites, the better. Additionally, building out social media presence across various channels will further establish your internet presence and boost your SEO. You can use different analytical tools to track SEO and conversion rates.

Live Online SEO Training

You also have the option to take live online classes to learn SEO. These classes run in real-time in conjunction with an in-person class, but you can attend from anywhere. As long as you have a computer and a stable internet connection, you can interact with the instructor and ask questions. With your permission, the instructor can take over your screen to demonstrate techniques. Live online classes are like in-person sessions, except you can attend class from home or work if you choose, and you don’t have to commute anywhere.

Noble Desktop’s SEO Bootcamp is available live online. The instructor and in-person students are in a classroom in New York, but you can see everything the instructor puts on the screen and follow along. You get the same high-quality content in a much more convenient way.

Other schools offer live online SEO training classes, too. Tampa’s SEO Training Academy has a two-day and a five-day SEO training class. Certstaffix also offers a two-day SEO class, as does Dolfi Formation. You can find additional live online SEO classes on Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me page.

On-Demand SEO Classes

Busy students have the option to sign up for asynchronous SEO training courses, which typically range between one and two hours. There are many paid and free classes that allow you to learn at your own pace and repeat lessons to review information you didn’t understand the first time. However, you won’t be able to ask a question or help with an exercise during an on-demand class.

Many training companies offer a free trial anywhere from one week up to a month. You may be able to complete a course before your free trial is up. One company that offers on-demand video classes is LinkedIn Learning. With a one-month free trial, you can take classes on many aspects of SEO including link building, SEO for ecommerce and WordPress, and advanced search factors.

Some other companies offering on-demand classes include Boot Camp Digital’s Boot Camp Institute SEO training courses for beginners and advanced students, Udemy’s Search Engine Optimization Courses, and an SEO training class from Simplilearn.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

If you are not quite ready to commit the time and funds to a bootcamp or certificate course, there are numerous free tutorials and online courses available. These tend to be overviews and introductions to SEO, but there is enough information to help you decide if you want to go further.

You can learn SEO online for free. Here is a list of possibilities:

• SEO for Beginners from Yoast
• SEO Training Course by Moz through Udemy
• Free SEO Course from ClickMinded
• Building Sustainable Traffic for Business Growth at Hubspot
• On-Page and Technical SEO Course from SEMRush
• Search Engine Optimization Specialization by Coursera
• Free SEO 6-part video series from Moz
  
  

The Pillars of Digital Marketing on the Noble Desktop YouTube channel is about different types of digital marketing and strategies. Dominate Local Search with Google My Business covers what GMB is, how to set up a profile, and where to get help if you need it.

Some other free tutorials include Coursera’s Strategy of Content Marketing program, which covers how to plan, organize, and implement a successful content marketing campaign. Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google is a free class, including practical exercises in SEO and digital marketing. Finally, HubSpot Academy has an SEO Training Course that covers how to improve website performance, along with link building and keyword research.

Read about more free SEO videos and online tutorials.

Comparison of Online Learning and In-Person Learning

Everyone has a personal learning style and a method that they prefer when they are tackling something new. If you are learning SEO to change careers, you want to take classes that feel comfortable for you and let you do your best work. It helps to think about your learning style and what kind of classroom environment you prefer.

The VARK Model of Learning Styles

One theory of learning styles is called the VARK Model. This stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading and Writing, and Kinesthetic. This theory suggests that a group of people learns best with various instructional methods rather than simply a verbal lecture or reading material. Here is a description of the different learning styles. Where do you fit in?

• Visual Learners - These folks learn best when the material is presented along with graphs, charts, and a clearly presented information hierarchy. If you are a visual learner, it helps to be able to go back and review presentation slides.

• Auditory Learners - These people retain information best from listening. Group settings with vocal presentations are the most successful. Auditory learners need the option of going back and repeating the presentation and listening to it again to grasp the information.

• Readers and Writers - These people are classic scholars. They read the book and take notes to process and retain information. Reviewing the presentation slides and matching them to their notes helps readers and writers remember what they learned.

• Kinesthetic Learners - These are hands-on learners who prefer lessons that engage all of their senses. Kinesthetic learners must put information into practice and try techniques to understand concepts.

In-Person Classes

The traditional setting to learn new skills is the in-person class with a teacher at the front and students at desks throughout the room. Some people like in-person learning because they feel more connected to the teacher and other students, and they enjoy interacting with and getting to know new people. When you learn SEO in person, you can ask the teacher questions and get help with assignments during class.

In-person classes also have some disadvantages. You may not be able to find a class scheduled for a time you can attend. You also have to allow travel time there and back, and if you drive to class, you will need to find a place to park. Live online classes don’t have these drawbacks.

Online Classes

Online classes are becoming very popular with students. You can attend class from anywhere: your desk at work, your couch at home, or your favorite cafe. There are two types of online classes, asynchronous and synchronous.

Asynchronous classes are pre-recorded, and when you sign up for class, you get access to the video sessions. You can watch them whenever you want and go back and repeat lessons if you need to. Unfortunately, you can’t ask the instructor a question or get extra help during class.

Synchronous classes are streamed to all participants at the same time. You have an instructor that presents the information in real-time, and you can ask questions and get help with exercises. Although you can’t watch the class whenever you want, some programs allow you to retake classes or give you access to the slides from the instructor’s presentation.

Tips to Succeed when Learning SEO Online

If you decide to learn SEO by taking a class online, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the experience.

• Make a commitment - You will need to commit to attending class and completing assignments just like you would in person.

• Check your equipment - Ensure your device is up to streaming the class and working on any required assignments.

• Be sure your internet is reliable - A stable internet connection is vital for an online class. If you don’t have a strong connection at home, you can buy a wifi booster or take your class from another location. Some companies will let you take classes from work, or you can go to a cafe with good wifi.

• Set up a study area - If you don’t already have a home office, set up an area where you can stream your class. Be sure you have a comfortable chair and sufficient lighting. Choose a quiet area with minimal distractions where you are unlikely to be interrupted.

• Set up a study plan - Make a plan and stay organized. Note when assignments are due, and be sure to start early enough to complete work on time.

• Take part in discussions - Make the most of opportunities to connect with the instructor and other students. Not only can this help you understand the information better, but it may be a chance for you to do some networking in your field.

• Give yourself a treat - Pushing yourself to get through a course can be tough, so it is a good idea to schedule treats to keep you motivated. Go for a walk during a break to stretch your legs and get some fresh air. Pick up a cup of coffee and go watch the sunset in a park. Reward yourself for your efforts!

Key Insights

• SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a way to drive traffic to your website, get more customers, and increase sales.
• There are three types of SEO: technical, on-page, and off-page.
• Professionals who work with SEO are called Web Optimization/SEO Specialists.
• You have different options for learning SEO, so you can choose the learning method that is right for you
• People fall into four different learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Reading and Writing, or Kinesthetic.
• When you commit to online learning, it’s important that you have reliable equipment and a designated study area. It’s equally important to remain engaged in class discussions and to reward yourself when you push through a challenging assignment or stick to your study schedule.

Learn SEO with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

If you want to change careers and become a Web Optimization/SEO Specialist, you can sign up for Noble Desktop’s SEO Bootcamp. This two-part class will teach you beginning and advanced SEO strategies to get your website to the top of the page. In the first class, SEO Level 1, you’ll learn how search engines work, how to do keyword research and competitor analysis, and how to use SEO-driven content to increase web traffic. SEO Level 2 covers how to do SEO audits and gives you hands-on experience with an expert instructor.

You can also sign up for a Google Analytics Bootcamp to learn how to set up an account, know which metrics to track, and understand the Google Analytics reports. You can also learn about paid advertising with Google Ads Bootcamp.

Another way to prepare for a career as a Web Optimizations/SEO Specialist is a digital marketing certificate course. Noble’s Digital Marketing Certificate includes the digital marketing, SEO, and Google Analytics bootcamps, plus Google Ads and classes on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter marketing, as well as content marketing with blogs.

Use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me to find other courses in digital marketing in your area.