Sorry, this page is no longer available
Sorry, this page is no longer available
Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Craig Rentmeester

This SEO for WordPress online training course you will learn teach you how to optimize your website using on-site and off-site SEO best practices.

This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme that promises #1 rankings overnight. Actually, it's the opposite. It is a tried-and-true SEO process use with my consulting clients.

Read more

This SEO for WordPress online training course you will learn teach you how to optimize your website using on-site and off-site SEO best practices.

This isn't a get-rich-quick scheme that promises #1 rankings overnight. Actually, it's the opposite. It is a tried-and-true SEO process use with my consulting clients.

This course contains verifiable strategies and techniques for ranking highly in organic search for targeted keywords so you can drive more traffic to your website or blog. It's much more than a simple demonstration of Yoast's SEO for WordPress plugin. It's a proven, step-by-step process for increasing your rankings and traffic.

This course features overview lectures in each section where I break down SEO concepts to help you understand how search engines work and why certain tasks are important. Then, you will see examples of best practices using WordPress SEO tools and WordPress plugins available at no cost to you. Then, you will learn how to improve your website's domain authority, through off-site SEO, as I walk you through link building methods. Plus, you will get demonstrations and recommendations for professional SEO tools that will make you more productive.

I have been executing SEO campaigns and developing custom WordPress solutions for 10+ years. Now, I have spent countless hours preparing training video lectures, slides and reference materials for Udemy so that you will fully understand how search engines work and how to improve your search engine rankings.

Check out the course topics below, and sign up for this class to get started.

Course Topics include:

  • SEO statistics and trends.

  • How search engine rankings work.

  • Search engine ranking factors.

  • Conducting keyword research.

  • Planning your WordPress website structure for maximum search engine visibility.

  • Best practices in page structure within WordPress.

  • Creating custom page titles and meta descriptions with Yoast's SEO for WordPress plugin.

  • Blogging for SEO.

  • Creating and submitting an XML sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.

  • Mastering off-site SEO.

  • Domain and Page Authority.

  • Ways to build links.

  • SEO Data and Reporting.

  • Improving your website speed.

  • Things you should avoid so don't get penalized by search engines.

Plus, I will be updating this course with new lectures and bonus materials to keep you informed about new SEO techniques for WordPress in the future.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Meet the instructor

Welcome to SEO for Wordpress.

Please share your Name, what City/State/Country you're from and the Website Your Are Optimizing in the discussion section. It's always interesting to hear where you're from and what you're working on.

Read more

Learn about the latest happenings in SEO, including where people search, what they click on and recent trends.

A quick SEO reference guide to make sure we are speaking the same language. This is useful if you get stuck on a term you haven't heard before. This will make communicating with internet marketing professionals, SEO consultants, and saavy designers and developers easier.

Learn about relevancy and authority, and what search engines are looking for when indexing and ranking websites.

This printable chart from Search Engine Land shows on-site and off-site SEO ranking factors that you can optimize in order to achieve high organic search rankings. Print it out, and hang it by your desk for reference.

The first part of SEO is understanding how search engine results get displayed. During this lecture, you will learn how search engines display results, and how you can influence information that is shown for your WordPress website or blog.

Learn about the various types of content that get displayed in search results.

Learn why keyword research is important for SEO and tools you can use to conduct keyword research.

Background information for the keyword research and on-site SEO example that comes next in the training session.

See how to use the Google AdWords keyword planner effectively to identify popular keywords that prospects are searching for.

See how to use keyword research to plan your WordPress website structure so that you're targeting keywords effectively.

See how to set your permalink structure in WordPress so your site uses clean, search-engine friendly URLs.

Learn about the benefits of using the Yoast SEO Plugin for WordPress vs. any other SEO plugins.

Learn how to install the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress on your website or blog.

This lecture provides an overview of the various elements you should configure and specify in order to have a properly optimized WordPress page or post.

Live demonstration showing how to create custom page titles and meta descriptions for a page within WordPress. Important for SEO as this information appears on search engine results pages.

Page titles are important for SEO. Here is a quick recap of best practices for page titles.

A quick recap of best practices for meta descriptions.

Live demonstration showing how to create optimized body content and then format it properly. You will also see hwo to apply Heading tags (H1, H2, H3) and create inter-page links from one page to another related page within WordPress.

In this live demonstration you will learn how to:

  • Properly compress your images for fast load times.
  • Customize image filenames.
  • Upload and add your images to a page or post within WordPress.
  • Add alternate text to your images.

See a demonstration and explanation of the content analysis SEO tool within the Yoast SEO Plugin for WordPress.

Black hat SEO tactics to avoid because they can get you placed in the supplemental index or banned from search engines.

Learn about the benefits and importance of blogging for SEO purposes, as well as things to consider before starting a blog.

A demonstration on how to set up blog categories within WordPress.

A demonstration on applying tags properly to blog posts within WordPress.

XML sitemaps list the URLs of your website and/or blog, and ensure that all of your content gets crawled by search engines.

See how to submit your XML sitemap to the Google Search Console, formerly known as Google Webmaster Tools. Unlock new SEO data that can help you optimize your site faster.

See how to submit your XML sitemap to Bing Webmaster Tools and unlock new SEO data that can help you optimize your site faster.

Learn how to use Google PageSpeed Insights, WebPageTest.org and a free tool from Pingdom.com to discover potential problems with your website's load times.

A quick recap of various ways you can improve your site speed, which will help with SEO.

In this section you will learn about the various ways you can host your website, and receive recommendations on great hosting companies for WordPress websites.

Before we get into off-site SEO, it's important that you understand links, including what they are and how they impact a website's search engine ranking.

Learn the differences between Domain and Page Authority so you can better understand the importance of link building and the impact it has on SEO.

Learn 25+ proven ways you can safely build links to your website or blog. Link building is imporant for SEO, because it provides your domain with credibility.

Building inbound links is critical for SEO. This printable PDF document outlines 28 methods you can use to build inbound links to your website.

SEO pitfalls to avoid when link building so you don't get penalized by search engines.

See how the Open Site Explorer from SEO Moz can give you a quick look at your competition.

Raven Tools is a premium SEO software tool that allows you to research your website and your competitor's website. It can make managing SEO campaigns faster and easier.

Rank well within local search by understanding the unique factors that search engines use to index and rank local businesses.

See how to create, verify and optimize your Google My Business listing.

See how to create, verify and optimize your Bing Places for Business listing.

Learn methods for blocking search engines from crawling certain pages on your WordPress site.

Learn how to set your pages or posts to Noindex so that they are excluded from your sitemap and noted in your robots.txt file. This ensures that search engines won't crawl them.

Thank you for completing this SEO for WordPress course. I hope you enjoyed the material, and I wish you success in optimizing your website or blog. Please review this course so I can improve it over time, or simply say Hi and let me know what you're working on in the discussion area.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Breaks down SEO concepts to help learners understand how search engines work and why certain tasks are important for WordPress websites
Demonstrates best practices using WordPress SEO tools and plugins that are available at no cost, making it accessible for those on a budget
Walks learners through link building methods to improve a website's domain authority, which is a crucial aspect of off-site SEO
Includes demonstrations and recommendations for professional SEO tools, which can help learners become more productive in their SEO efforts
Uses Yoast SEO Plugin for WordPress, which may require learners to adapt to changes in the plugin's interface and features over time
Covers black hat SEO tactics to avoid, which is important for maintaining a website's search engine ranking and avoiding penalties

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Practical seo for wordpress beginners

According to learners, this course provides a practical and actionable approach to learning SEO specifically for WordPress websites. Many students found the step-by-step guidance and clear explanations by the instructor particularly helpful. It is widely seen as an excellent starting point for those new to SEO or WordPress, covering essential topics like keyword research, on-page optimization with the Yoast SEO plugin, and the basics of link building. While offering a solid foundation, some more experienced reviewers noted the content could be too basic for intermediate users, and the dynamic nature of SEO means learners should verify techniques against the latest best practices.
Requires staying updated; verify techniques.
"Remember SEO changes fast, you'll need to keep checking."
"Some techniques felt slightly outdated, but the core ideas are good."
"Applying lessons requires keeping up with search engine changes."
Focuses on key SEO plugins & platforms.
"The sections on Yoast SEO were very helpful."
"Good overview of Google Search Console."
"Practical demos using tools like Yoast."
Excellent starting point for new users.
"Perfect for someone new to SEO and WordPress."
"Helped me get a solid grasp of the fundamentals."
"An excellent introductory course."
Instructor explains concepts well.
"The instructor explains everything clearly and simply..."
"Great explanations of how search engines work."
"He makes complex topics easy to understand."
Offers practical, step-by-step methods.
"Provides actionable steps I can immediately implement."
"Very practical information that I could immediately apply..."
"I liked the step-by-step approach to implementing SEO for my site."
Content might be too simple for those with prior knowledge.
"Not for advanced users already doing SEO."
"Found some sections covered familiar ground."
"Much of the content was a review for me."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in SEO for WordPress: How to Rank Higher & Drive More Traffic with these activities:
Review Basic SEO Concepts
Reinforce your understanding of core SEO principles before diving into WordPress-specific techniques. This will provide a solid foundation for the course.
Browse courses on SEO Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Read introductory articles on SEO.
  • Watch beginner-friendly SEO videos.
  • Take a short online SEO quiz.
Review 'SEO 2024'
Gain a broader understanding of SEO principles and best practices. This book provides a solid foundation for the course.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on keyword research and on-page optimization.
  • Summarize the key takeaways from each chapter.
Optimize a Sample WordPress Site
Apply the course's teachings by optimizing a test WordPress site. This hands-on experience will solidify your understanding of on-page SEO and keyword targeting.
Show steps
  • Set up a local WordPress installation.
  • Install the Yoast SEO plugin.
  • Optimize the homepage and a sample blog post.
  • Analyze the results using Google Search Console.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Write SEO-Optimized Blog Posts
Practice creating blog content optimized for specific keywords. This will improve your ability to attract organic traffic to a WordPress site.
Show steps
  • Research relevant keywords for a chosen topic.
  • Write a blog post incorporating those keywords naturally.
  • Optimize the post using the Yoast SEO plugin.
Review 'WordPress SEO: The Ultimate Guide'
Deepen your understanding of WordPress SEO best practices. This book provides a comprehensive guide to using the Yoast SEO plugin.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on technical SEO and content optimization.
  • Implement the recommended settings on your WordPress site.
Follow Advanced SEO Tutorials
Refine your SEO skills by following advanced tutorials on topics like schema markup, site speed optimization, and mobile SEO. This will help you stay ahead of the curve.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on schema markup and implement it on your site.
  • Follow tutorials on improving site speed and apply the techniques.
SEO Audit Report
Create a comprehensive SEO audit report for a WordPress website. This will demonstrate your ability to identify and address SEO issues.
Show steps
  • Use SEO tools to analyze a WordPress site.
  • Identify on-page, off-page, and technical SEO issues.
  • Create a report with recommendations for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete SEO for WordPress: How to Rank Higher & Drive More Traffic will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Search Engine Optimization Specialist
A Search Engine Optimization Specialist enhances a website's visibility in search engine results. This course directly addresses the core skills needed for this role, covering on-site and off-site SEO strategies using WordPress. The course's emphasis on keyword research, website structure planning, and link building methods directly translates to the daily tasks of a Search Engine Optimization Specialist. Furthermore, the course specifically teaches how to use tools like Yoast SEO plugin, Google Search Console, and Bing Webmaster Tools which helps to optimize websites.
Search Marketing Manager
A Search Marketing Manager develops and executes strategies to improve a website's visibility in search engine results pages. This course directly addresses the critical skills needed for this role, focusing on both on-page and off-page Search Engine Optimization techniques within the WordPress platform. The course delves into keyword research, website structure optimization, link building, and the use of essential tools like Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. This course will help a Search Marketing Manager to have a more thorough understanding of search engine optimization.
Online Business Owner
An Online Business Owner manages all aspects of an online business, including marketing and website optimization. This course helps Online Business Owners who use WordPress improve their website's search engine rankings and visibility. The course offers practical guidance on keyword research, website structure, and on-page Search Engine Optimization, which are all essential for driving organic traffic and growing an online business. The step-by-step instructions and tool recommendations provided in this course will immediately benefit any Online Business Owner looking to enhance their website's Search Engine Optimization performance.
E-commerce Manager
An E-commerce Manager oversees the online sales and marketing efforts for an e-commerce business. This course is relevant for E-commerce Managers who use WordPress and want to improve their online store's visibility in search engine results. The course provides guidance on keyword research, website structure optimization, and on-page Search Engine Optimization, which are essential for driving organic traffic and increasing sales. With its focus on practical tools and techniques, the course will enable E-commerce Managers to enhance their online store's Search Engine Optimization performance and attract more customers.
Digital Marketing Specialist
A Digital Marketing Specialist implements digital marketing campaigns to promote a company's products or services. This course provides a strong foundation in a critical aspect of digital marketing which is Search Engine Optimization within the WordPress environment. The course covers topics such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building, which are essential skills for any Digital Marketing Specialist. Moreover, the course offers hands-on guidance in using tools like Google Analytics and Yoast SEO, enabling specialists to effectively track and improve their SEO performance.
Webmaster
A Webmaster is responsible for maintaining and optimizing a website. This course helps you understand the SEO-related aspects of website management. The course covers essential topics such as website structure, page speed optimization, and sitemap creation. This knowledge will helps a Webmaster improve a website's search engine ranking and user experience. This course, with its WordPress focus, provides practical guidance that a Webmaster can immediately apply to enhance a website's SEO performance.
Growth Hacker
A Growth Hacker focuses on strategies to rapidly grow a company's user base and revenue. This course can support a Growth Hacker's toolkit by providing in-depth knowledge of Search Engine Optimization for WordPress websites. By mastering Search Engine Optimization techniques, a Growth Hacker can significantly increase organic traffic to a website, which is a key driver of user acquisition and revenue growth. The course's emphasis on keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building aligns perfectly with the analytical and data-driven approach of a Growth Hacker, enabling them to identify and implement effective Search Engine Optimization strategies.
Blogger
A Blogger creates and publishes content on a blog, which is often hosted on WordPress. This course may be useful for bloggers and other content creators. This course will help a blogger to optimize their blog content for search engines. The course covers essential Search Engine Optimizaiton topics such as keyword research, on-page optimization, and link building, all of which are directly applicable to improving a blog's visibility. The course's emphasis on blogging best practices for Search Engine Optimization will benefit any blogger looking to increase their blog's reach and engagement.
Content Marketing Manager
A Content Marketing Manager oversees the creation and distribution of valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. This course may be useful for Content Marketing Managers because it emphasizes keyword research and blogging for Search Engine Optimization. Understanding how to optimize content for search engines is crucial for driving organic traffic and reaching a wider audience, and this course directly addresses those areas within the WordPress platform. The course material on planning website structure and using SEO plugins also aligns well with content strategy and execution.
Content Strategist
A Content Strategist develops and implements content strategies to meet business goals. Understanding how to optimize content for search engines is crucial for driving organic traffic and reaching a wider audience and this course on SEO for WordPress is relevant. Being able to plan website structure and working with SEO plugins is important, and this course will help a Content Strategist's strategy and execution.
Marketing Consultant
A Marketing Consultant advises businesses on their marketing strategies and helps them achieve their marketing goals. This course may be useful for Marketing Consultants who need to advise clients on Search Engine Optimization strategies for WordPress websites. The course covers a range of topics, from conducting keyword research to mastering off-site Search Engine Optimization, providing consultants with a comprehensive understanding of Search Engine Optimization best practices. The course’s focus on practical tools and techniques will enable consultants to offer actionable advice to their clients.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects and analyzes data to provide insights and recommendations for business decisions. This course may be useful for Data Analysts who analyze website traffic and Search Engine Optimization performance. The course covers the use of Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Bing Webmaster Tools, which are essential sources of data for understanding website traffic, keyword rankings, and user behavior. By mastering these tools and understanding Search Engine Optimization principles, a Data Analyst can provide valuable insights to improve website performance and inform Search Engine Optimization strategies.
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer focuses on improving the usability and accessibility of websites and applications. This course may enhance a User Experience Designer's understanding of how Search Engine Optimization and user experience intersect, particularly within the WordPress environment. While the course primarily focuses on Search Engine Optimization, the knowledge gained about website structure, page speed optimization, and mobile responsiveness can inform design decisions that improve both user experience and search engine rankings. This holistic approach can lead to better overall website performance and user satisfaction.
Conversion Rate Optimizer
A Conversion Rate Optimizer focuses on improving the percentage of website visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a form. This cours may be useful to Conversion Rate Optimizers because it improves a website's visibility and organic traffic can lead to more opportunities for conversions. The course’s emphasis on keyword research, on-page optimization, and website structure can help attract a more targeted audience, increasing the likelihood of conversions. While the course does not directly address conversion rate optimization, the skills learned can indirectly contribute to higher conversion rates by improving the quality and relevance of website traffic.
Social Media Manager
A Social Media Manager is responsible for managing a company's social media presence. This course may be useful for Social Media Managers as search engine optimization and social media efforts can be complementary. The course emphasizes strategies to drive traffic to websites, which can be integrated with social media campaigns to increase overall online visibility. While the course primarily focuses on search engine optimization, the skills learned can indirectly enhance a Social Media Manager's ability to create engaging content that aligns with search engine optimization best practices, ultimately benefiting the company's online presence.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in SEO for WordPress: How to Rank Higher & Drive More Traffic.
This book, written by the Yoast team, provides in-depth guidance on using the Yoast SEO plugin effectively. It covers all aspects of WordPress SEO, from keyword research to technical optimization. is commonly used by industry professionals and useful reference tool.
Provides a comprehensive overview of modern SEO techniques. It covers keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and technical SEO. It's a useful reference for understanding the broader SEO landscape beyond WordPress. This book is valuable as additional reading to deepen your understanding of SEO principles.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser