SEO for Beginners
Get your website found on Google, starting from zero. Short lessons in plain language cover keywords, on-page SEO, links, and technical basics, each with a task for your own site.
- Free, no sign-up
- 26 short lessons
- About 2 hours
- 73 hands-on activities
- Beginner level
By the end of this course, you can
- Find keywords your customers actually type, using free tools
- Write title tags, headings, and content that match what searchers want
- Check whether Google can crawl and index your pages, and fix common problems
- Earn your first safe backlinks from directories, partners, and local sites
- Read Search Console data and turn it into a monthly SEO action plan
Who it is for
- Small business owners who want customers to find them on Google without paying for every click
- Freelancers and VAs adding SEO to the services they offer clients
- Students and career shifters who want a practical first step into digital marketing
- Bloggers and site owners whose pages get little search traffic
What you need
- A website you can edit, or a free practice site
- A free Google account for Search Console
- About 10 minutes per lesson, at your own pace
How each lesson works
- ReadA 5 to 10 minute lesson in plain language with local examples.
- TryA quiz, tool, or checklist that gives instant feedback.
- ApplyOne small task to do on your own site or account today.
Curriculum
Module 0: Introduction
What search engines are, how they work, what SEO is, and how to begin. 4 lessons · about 24 min
- 0.1 What is a search engine?
What is a search engine, and how is it different from a browser? Google, Bing, and AI search compared in plain words, with everyday examples.
- 0.2 How do search engines work?
How do search engines work? Google crawls the web, stores pages in an index, then ranks them for each search. See why some pages never appear at all.
- 0.3 What is SEO?
What is SEO? Search engine optimization helps your site appear in Google's free results. How ranking works and the three pillars of SEO, with activities.
- 0.4 How to start SEO
How to start SEO on a new website: five first tasks, the free tools to set up on day one, and realistic goals for your first three months.
Module 1: Keyword Research
Find the words your customers type into search engines. 5 lessons · about 24 min
- 1.1 What are keywords in SEO?
Keywords in SEO are the words people type into Google. Short-tail vs long-tail keywords, and why longer, specific phrases give new websites a fair chance.
- 1.2 What is search intent?
What is search intent? The reason behind a search. Tell the four types apart, read intent straight from Google results, and shape your page to match it.
- 1.3 How to find keywords for your website
Find keywords for your website for free with Google autocomplete, People also ask, Keyword Planner, and Bing Webmaster Tools. Fill-in worksheet included.
- 1.4 Keyword difficulty
Keyword difficulty scores estimate how hard a search is to rank for. Judge the competition yourself, without paid tools, and pick keywords a new site can win.
- 1.5 Keyword mapping
Keyword mapping gives every page one main keyword, so your pages never compete with each other. Plan site structure with the free mapping template.
Module 2: On-Page SEO
Make each page match the search it targets. 5 lessons · about 22 min
- 2.1 What is on-page SEO?
On-page SEO covers everything you control on the page itself, from title tags to content quality. These are the elements where beginners see the fastest wins.
- 2.2 How to optimize a page for a keyword
Optimize a page for a keyword by placing it where it counts: title, H1, URL, and opening lines, plus related terms used naturally. No keyword stuffing.
- 2.3 How to write title tags and meta descriptions
Write title tags and meta descriptions that earn the click: ideal length and pixel width, proven formulas, and why Google sometimes rewrites them anyway.
- 2.4 How to use headings for SEO
Headings for SEO work like a table of contents. Use one H1, clear H2 and H3 levels, and outline the page first to avoid the mistakes that confuse readers.
- 2.5 Internal linking for SEO
Internal linking for SEO connects your own pages so visitors and Google find them. Write clear anchor text and link new pages from ones that already rank.
Module 3: Link Building
Earn links from other sites that search engines trust. 4 lessons · about 19 min
- 3.1 What is link building?
What is link building? Getting other websites to link to yours. Why backlinks still matter for rankings in Google, and which link tactics can backfire.
- 3.2 What makes a good backlink?
What makes a good backlink? Relevance, trust, and real traffic. Spot spammy links quickly and see why one relevant link beats a hundred weak ones.
- 3.3 How to get backlinks for beginners
Safe ways to get backlinks for beginners: local directories, business partners, linkable content, and unlinked brand mentions. Starter checklist included.
- 3.4 Blogger outreach
Blogger outreach that gets replies: find blogs worth contacting, write a short personal email, and follow up politely. Includes a fill-in email builder.
Module 4: Technical SEO Basics
Make sure search engines can crawl and index your site. 5 lessons · about 24 min
- 4.1 What is technical SEO?
What is technical SEO? The behind-the-scenes work that lets Google crawl and index your site: speed, mobile-friendliness, HTTPS, and a beginner checklist.
- 4.2 How to check if a page is indexed
How to check if a page is indexed in Google and Bing using site: search, URL Inspection, and the Page indexing report, then fix pages left out.
- 4.3 How to find broken links on a website
Broken links send visitors to dead 404 pages. Find broken links on your website with a free scan, then fix each one with an update or a 301 redirect.
- 4.4 XML sitemap and robots.txt for beginners
XML sitemap and robots.txt for beginners: one lists pages you want found, the other sets crawl rules. Read simple rules and submit your sitemap to Google.
- 4.5 How to do a basic SEO audit
How to do a basic SEO audit for free: technical, on-page, and off-page checks, a free site scan, and a simple way to decide what to fix first.
Module 5: Measuring SEO Results
Track clicks and rankings, then plan your next steps. 3 lessons · about 15 min
- 5.1 How to set up Google Search Console
Set up Google Search Console in about 15 minutes: add your site, pick domain or URL prefix, verify ownership, and submit your sitemap, with screenshots.
- 5.2 Clicks, impressions, CTR, and position explained
Clicks, impressions, CTR, and position explained in plain words, with a simple way to read the Search Console Performance report and spot pages to improve.
- 5.3 Your SEO action plan
Your SEO action plan turns this course into weekly and monthly tasks. Set priorities, track progress, and choose your next topic after the basics.
Frequently asked questions
Is this SEO course really free?
Yes. Every lesson, activity, and template is free, with no sign-up and no paywall. Your progress saves on your own device.
How long until SEO shows results?
New pages often take three to six months to rank well. Quick fixes like better title tags can improve clicks within weeks.
Do I need coding skills?
No. The technical lessons use free tools and settings in your website builder. Where code appears, it is short and explained line by line.
Which lesson should I start with?
Start with Lesson 0.1 if you are new. If you already know the basics, jump to Keyword Research or the Basic SEO Audit.
Ready to begin?
Lesson 0.1 takes about 5 minutes. No account needed.
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