It is a truth universally acknowledged that good content alone does not make a successful website.

Sure, you could write an awesome article on why porgs deserve to be in Star Wars (because they do!!) that would sway even the most defensive purists, but if it doesn’t show up on the first few pages of Google, your efforts will amount to little.

In fact, studies have found that less than 25% of traffic share goes to results past the first page!

Shocked porg disapproves. This will not do.

So, any business or content provider would want to rank for Google searches (i.e. appear on the first page). But how do you even start this gargantuan mission?

Search Engine Optimization! SEO for short, this digital marketing strategy can be self-taught. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that this will be an easy journey, though. SEO does not work like a magic spell: rather, it requires time and consistent maintenance to actually show results.

Willing to take the plunge into the world of SEO?

Plenty of sites have free, comprehensive guides to help you acquire this skill, so don’t fret! (Just do a quick Google Search and witness this for yourself).

If you’ve tried and failed to learn it by yourself because of how much there is to know, however, why not take a course?  Check out our list of options below!

Disclaimer: This compilation is not an endorsement of the courses, please do adequate research to make sure that any course you have in mind is suitable for your needs!

Short Courses

1. Equinet Academy— 2-day Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Training course

Equinet Academy opened its doors in 2013, with the goal of helping marketing teams and grads tap into the potential of online platforms through quality, bite-sized training. Their SEO training course includes helpful lifetime access to updated course content materials, after-support training in the form of forum access/direct email support/small group mentorship sessions. Participants will receive a Certificate of Attainment from SSG as well as a Certificate of Achievement from Equinet Academy.

Programme Duration: 2 days (9-6pm)

Accreditation: The course is accredited by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) under the WSQ Skills Framework ICT-SNM-3006-1.1 Integrated Marketing. Other than NUS, Equinet Academy is one of the few schools in Singapore to be accredited by SSG.

Curriculum: The SEO process, from keyword research and site optimisation to link building and campaign management. The instructors will also cover best practises and give advice on how to choose a suitable SEO agency, for example.

Course Fees: SGD 740 nett, as low as 37 nett after 95% SkillsFuture funding.

2. National University of Singapore— NICF- Web Analytics & SEO course

One of NUS’s Executive Education Programmes that’s part of a Digital Innovation and Design series, this course will cover both Web Analytics as well as SEO fundamentals. This means that you’ll leave with an understanding of how to use Google Analytics tools to obtain/analyse data that will help you in your SEO journey. No prior knowledge is required and a certificate of completion will be issued.

Programme Duration: 3 days (9-5pm)

Curriculum: Web Analytics Fundamentals, exposure to Google Analytics tools, improvement strategies including SEO and content optimisation.

Course Fees: SGD 866.70 or lower for Singaporeans/PRs, depending on relevant schemes/grants.

3. Asia Search Engine Academy— 5-Day SEO Certification training workshop

Asia Search Engine Academy was established by Fabian Lim, co-founder of Pageadvisor.  The 5 day SEO workshop is made up of a 2-day basic workshop and 3-day advanced workshop. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. Once an SEO training pioneer, it appears that its heydays are behind as the founder is preoccupied with other ventures these days.

Programme Duration: 5 days

Accreditation: The institution is a franchise of the USA-based Search Engine Academy.

Curriculum: SEO for video, mobile search, social media and SEO, Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools, just to name a few. The course will also touch a little on content marketing (tips on article writing) as well as copywriting (ads/promotional materials).

Course Fees: Please enquire directly with the training provider.

4. Emarsity—Search Engine Optimization course

Emarsity is an Internet Marketing Academy staffed by experienced digital marketing practitioners, offering both face-to-face classes and online courses. The SEO course is taught by Kelvin, who has had experience as a senior digital strategist in an SEO agency. Course participants will receive 6 months of post-course support, a one-time free refresher course seat (within 6 months) as well as lifetime access to online course videos.

Programme Duration: 2 days (9:30-5.30pm)

Accreditation: Emarsity is a Bing Ads Accredited Professional as well as a Google Partner.

Curriculum: Split into 8 modules, the course covers the following: Introduction to SEO, Keyword Research, Onsite and Offsite SEO, Local SEO, Mobile SEO, Website SEO Auditing, as well as Google Penalties and how to avoid and recover from them.

Course Fees: Please enquire directly with the training provider. Subsidied rates available depending on relevant schemes/grants (SkillsFuture grant/NTUC Union Training Assistance Programme).

5. WordPress Training Singapore— 1-Day SEO Training Course

WordPress Training Singapore offers this short 1-day training course for those who want a quick taste of SEO. Class sizes are kept small and participants will also leave with an SEO Training Guide to help them in their learning post-course.

Programme Duration: 1 day

Accreditation: The training provider currently does not hold any accreditation.

Curriculum: Introduction to SEO, Keyword research, On page and off page optimization/SEO, Google penalties, etc.

Course Fees: SGD 500 (SkillsFuture claimable

Online courses

6. Digital Marketing Institute— Professional Diploma in Search Marketing

The Digital Marketing Institute (DMI)  is the global certification standard in digital marketing education, recognised worldwide, offering courses in Digital Marketing all the way till Masters level. Professionals certified with them have gone on to work in corporations like Google and Unilever. Their Diploma is delivered online and course takers will need to sit for a computer-based certification assessment conducted at any Pearson VUE test centre in order to pass.

Programme Duration: Online course, 30 hours

Accreditation: As mentioned above, DMI is the global certification standard for digital marketing education.

Curriculum: 10 modules comprising of an Introduction to Search Marketing, SEO setup, SEO Content, SEO Workshop, Paid Search, Display advertising, Video Advertising, Google Analytics setup, Applied Analytics as well as Strategy and Planning.

Course Fees: USD 1955 (approx SGD 2717.33)

7. LinkedIn Learning—Various SEO courses

For those wanting to know more about SEO for exposure, or simply for knowledge’s sake, consider LinkedIn Learning! The networking platform’s learning platform (see what we did there) presents to users a range of business courses from Lynda.com that they can take to develop their professional skills. Offerings range from Business Math to Marketing for Small Businesses. LinkedIn will recommend to you courses based on your profile, which would be helpful in growing your career.

Programme Duration: Online, self-paced

Accreditation: NA

Curriculum: Tutorials/videos online cover topics like SEO Foundations, Keyword Strategy, Link building, Video SEO, Headline Writing and so on

Course Fees: USD 30 per month  (approx 41 SGD). Opportunity to get first month free.

8. Udemy—SEO Training Course

Udemy’s course will offer participants a certificate of completion, and up to 30,000 people have taken this SEO training course. Created by Daragh Walsh, the course might need you to have a little background knowledge on SEO lest you get confused. You’ll get lifetime access as well as a certificate of completion. Udemy has other SEO courses available as well!

Programme Duration: Online, 2.5 hours on-demand video and 2 articles

Accreditation: NA

Curriculum: Keyword Research, On-page/Off-page Optimisation, SEO for local businesses, Technical SEO, etc

Course Fees:  USD 209.99, Udemy often offers discounts so do check back periodically!

If you’re interested in helping your business or online presence grow, don’t leave out SEO as part of your strategy! This is merely a starter list; there are more courses out there that you can explore.

If you’re a reader that has taken an SEO course and found it incredibly useful, do drop a comment below so we can add it to our list!