![Online Learning Platform: use SEO so everyone can find you on internet [SEO checklist]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-seo-checklist-2_a9262c2a-19e1-4d6e-8267-69d091ba7d5d.png?v=1715867402&width=1100)
SEO isn't just for tech giants and e-commerce sites—it's a powerful tool that the best online learning platforms use strategically to attract students.
We understand that you're busy developing courses and managing your platform, and the thought of optimizing your website might feel like an additional burden.
But here's the deal: you don't need to be an SEO expert or spend a fortune to make it work. Just a few simple steps can significantly improve your online visibility and attract more students to your courses.
To help you out, we have built a free SEO checklist - also, for a full action plan, please check our pack of marketing tactics and strategies for online learning platforms.
Get the SEO checklist made for learning platform owners
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What is SEO for learning platforms exactly?
Simply put, SEO is all about making your online learning platform more attractive to search engines like Google.
When someone searches for "best online courses for data science" or "affordable online learning platforms," SEO helps your platform show up in the results. The goal is to get your website higher up on the search results page so more people can find and enroll in your courses.
Why is SEO Important for Online Learning Platforms?
SEO is incredibly important for online learning platforms, and here’s why:
- Increased Online Visibility:
The higher your website ranks on search engines, the more people will see it. This means more potential students discovering your platform, especially when they're looking for educational opportunities.
- Higher Rankings on Search Engines:
Most people don’t look past the first page of search results. By optimizing your site, you can climb those rankings and beat out the competition. Imagine someone searching for "best online Python course" and finding your platform right at the top!
- Attracting More Targeted Students:
SEO isn't just about getting anyone to your site—it's about getting the right people. Targeted SEO helps ensure that when someone interested in a specific subject searches for a course, your platform pops up. This means more enrollments and more engaged learners.
Key Components of SEO
Now, let’s break down the main parts of SEO specifically for your online learning platform:
On-Page SEO
This involves making sure the content on your website is optimized. It includes things like:
- Keywords:
Using the words and phrases people are searching for in your titles, descriptions, and content. For example, if you offer courses in digital marketing, make sure you use phrases like "best digital marketing course" or "learn digital marketing online" on your site.
- Content Quality:
Providing useful, engaging, and fresh content about your courses. Share detailed course descriptions, instructor bios, student testimonials, and blog posts about industry trends.
- Meta Tags:
Using meta titles and descriptions that are relevant and appealing to searchers. For instance, a meta description for your homepage could be "Join [Your Platform Name] for top-rated online courses in data science, programming, and more."
Off-Page SEO
This focuses on actions taken outside your website to impact your rankings:
- Backlinks:
Getting other reputable websites to link to your site, which signals to search engines that your site is trustworthy and relevant. This could be from educational blogs, industry news sites, or academic institutions.
- Social Media:
Being active on social media with your platform’s page can drive traffic to your site and improve your online presence. Share course updates, success stories, and educational content to engage with your audience.
Technical SEO
This ensures your website meets the technical requirements of search engines:
- Site Speed:
Making sure your website loads quickly. No one likes to wait, especially students eager to start learning!
- Mobile-Friendliness:
Ensuring your site looks and works well on mobile devices. Many people search for courses on their phones while on the go.
- Secure Website (HTTPS):
Having a secure website that users (and search engines) can trust. This is especially important if you have an online enrollment or payment system.
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Which keywords should you target for your online learning platform?
Online learning platform owners, like you, must target specific keywords in SEO because it helps your website appear in search results when potential students look for the type of courses or learning experiences you offer. This increases the chances that people will find and enroll in your courses.
For example, if you specialize in coding courses, targeting keywords like "best online coding courses" or "learn coding online" helps attract students searching for those terms. This makes it easier for people interested in learning coding to find your platform online.
Here are some keyword ideas for you. If you want a more developed strategy with actionable steps, go check out our strategy pack for online learning platforms.
| Keyword | Competitiveness Level | Tips and Initiatives |
|---|---|---|
| Best [Course Type] online | High | Optimize your website with high-quality course previews, gather student testimonials, list on educational directories, and use SEO strategies tailored to online learning. |
| Where to learn [Skill You Teach] | Medium | Create blog posts or pages on your website highlighting your best courses, use keywords naturally in content, and engage with educational bloggers. |
| Online courses with good reviews | Medium | Use student testimonials and success stories, gather positive reviews, and ensure your Google My Business profile is complete. |
| Best platform for [Subject] courses | Medium | Feature specific subjects prominently on your website (e.g., data science, graphic design), use SEO tactics, and promote course specials on social media. |
| [Your Course Type] courses online | High | Highlight unique aspects of your courses, create SEO-friendly content about your curriculum, and engage with the online learning community. |
| Top-rated [Course Type] courses | High | Encourage satisfied students to leave positive reviews, optimize your website for mobile, and ensure accurate information on educational listings. |
| Affordable [Course Type] online | Low | Highlight affordable options and discounts on your website, use keywords related to value, and promote deals on social media. |
| Where to find [Skill You Teach] courses | Medium | Use SEO strategies, create content around popular courses, and ensure your website is optimized for mobile users searching nearby. |
| Popular [Course Type] online | Medium | Use social media to share popular courses, engage with educational influencers, and gather student testimonials to build credibility. |
| Best [Course Type] for beginners | Low | Create beginner-friendly content, highlight introductory courses on your website, and host webinars or free trials to generate interest. |
What really matters when you do SEO for an online learning platform
Actually, we think that SEO often follows the 80/20 rule, meaning that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. For online learning platform owners, like you, this means it's crucial to focus on the right strategies to maximize impact without feeling overwhelmed.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Matters / How It Helps Attract New Learners |
|---|---|
| Optimize Google My Business profile | Ensures your platform appears in local search results, provides essential information (hours, contact details, courses offered), and collects reviews to build trust. |
| Gather and respond to online reviews | Positive reviews build credibility and trust. Responding to reviews shows you value learner feedback, encouraging more people to enroll. |
| Create high-quality content with targeted keywords | Helps your website rank higher in search results for relevant queries, attracting learners looking for specific courses or learning experiences. |
| Optimize for local SEO | Ensures your platform shows up in local searches (e.g., "online courses near me"), driving traffic from nearby potential learners. |
| Ensure website is mobile-friendly | Most users search for online courses on their phones. A mobile-friendly site provides a better user experience, leading to higher engagement and enrollments. |
| Use high-quality images and videos of courses and instructors | Attractive visuals entice potential learners, showcasing your courses and teaching quality, which can significantly influence their decision to enroll. |
| Include detailed course descriptions with keywords | Allows search engines to index your courses, helping you appear in searches for specific subjects, and makes it easy for learners to see what you offer. |
| List your platform on educational directories | Increases your online presence and backlinks, improving your search engine ranking and making it easier for learners to find you. |
| Engage with educational bloggers and influencers | Generates buzz and word-of-mouth, reaching a wider audience and attracting learners who trust these educational voices. |
| Promote special courses and offers | Creates a sense of urgency and excitement, encouraging potential learners to enroll in your platform for unique learning experiences. |
| Utilize social media to share updates and engage with learners | Builds a community around your platform, keeps learners informed about new courses, and drives traffic to your website. |
| Ensure accurate and consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms | Prevents confusion, helps search engines trust your business information, and improves your local SEO ranking. |
| Offer online enrollment and course access | Makes it convenient for learners to sign up and start learning, leading to increased enrollments and course completions. |
| Create blog posts about your courses and learning experience | Attracts visitors to your site through informative and engaging content, improving SEO and showcasing what makes your platform unique. |
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What is always useless when you do SEO for an online learning platform
We have studied a lot of online learning platforms when we built our strategy pack and we saw a lot of SEO-related initiatives that don't help attract new students. We explain here why they might be a waste of time or even counterproductive.
| Action / Initiative | Why It Doesn't Matter / How It Doesn't Help Bring New Students |
|---|---|
| Using meta keyword tags | Search engines no longer use meta keyword tags to rank pages, so focusing on them doesn't improve SEO for your online learning platform. |
| Keyword stuffing in course descriptions | Overusing keywords in course descriptions makes them hard to read and can be penalized by search engines, turning away potential students. |
| Paying for backlinks from unrelated websites | Backlinks from non-education related or low-quality websites don't improve your SEO and can even hurt your ranking if considered spammy by search engines. |
| Using exact match domains like bestonlinecourses.com | Having an exact match domain has minimal impact on SEO and can appear spammy, especially if it doesn't reflect your brand well. |
| Creating multiple pages for the same course content | Duplicate content confuses search engines and can dilute your SEO efforts. Focus on one high-quality page for each unique course or topic. |
| Using Flash for course or registration pages | Flash is outdated, not supported by many devices, and negatively impacts SEO. Modern alternatives like HTML5 should be used instead. |
| Focusing only on desktop optimization | Many students search for courses on mobile devices. Ignoring mobile optimization leads to poor user experience and lower search rankings. |
| Using automated link-building tools | These tools often create low-quality or spammy links that can be penalized by search engines, hurting your platform's SEO efforts. |
| Ignoring structured data for courses | Structured data helps search engines understand your courses better. Ignoring it means missing out on potential SEO benefits like rich snippets. |
| Not updating your course content regularly | Outdated course information can frustrate students and harm your SEO. Regular updates keep content relevant and maintain search rankings. |
| Using irrelevant stock photos on your site | Low-quality or irrelevant images can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use high-quality photos of your actual courses and instructors. |
| Over-optimizing anchor text in links | Using exact match keywords for every link appears unnatural and can be penalized by search engines. Use varied, natural anchor text instead. |
| Ignoring page load speed for your website | Slow-loading pages frustrate users and can lead to higher bounce rates, negatively impacting your platform's SEO. Ensure your site loads quickly. |
| Using too many ads above the fold on your homepage | Too many ads at the top of the page can be off-putting for users and may be penalized by search engines, impacting your SEO negatively. |
Should you pay someone for the SEO of your online learning platform?
Well, we will be transparent. Here’s the thing: SEO can get pretty complex, and having some support can really make a difference. Imagine trying to juggle running your online learning platform, creating content, engaging with students, and then on top of that, diving into the world of search engine optimization. It’s a lot, right?
Having someone handle your SEO means you can focus on what you do best—developing and delivering quality courses. SEO experts know the ins and outs of getting your platform to rank higher on search engines. They stay updated on the latest trends and algorithms, which means your site will be optimized correctly and consistently. This can lead to more people finding your courses online, and ultimately, more students enrolling in your programs.
- But here’s the kicker: there are a lot of low-hanging fruits in SEO that you can tackle on your own, even if you don’t know much about it.
You will find a lot of low-hanging fruits that cost nothing, are quick to implement, and will make your online learning platform much more visible in strategy pack for online educators.
Simple actions like optimizing your Google My Business profile, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, and using relevant keywords can significantly improve your online presence. These tasks don't require deep technical knowledge but can make a big impact.
So, should you increase the marketing budget of your online learning platform to pay someone to manage your SEO? If you can do it, it’s a worthwhile investment. But don't underestimate what you can achieve on your own. Start with the basics, see the results, and then decide if you need more specialized help.
Make your online learning platform more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best learning platforms in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Useful tools learning platform owners can use for their SEO
Here are some essential tools that our team has collected and listed, to help you improve your online learning platform's online presence and SEO.
| Tool | How It's Useful |
|---|---|
| Google My Business | Ensures your online learning platform appears in local search results and Google Maps, provides essential information (hours, contact details, courses), and collects user reviews. |
| SEMrush | Helps identify the best keywords for your platform, analyze competitors, and track your search rankings. Provides insights to improve your content and visibility. |
| Yext | Manages your platform's listings across multiple directories, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information to boost local SEO. |
| Google Search Console | Monitors your platform's website performance, identifies issues, and provides data on search traffic and keywords to optimize your SEO strategy. |
| Yelp | Collects user reviews and ratings, which improve your platform's online reputation and visibility in local search results. |
| BrightLocal | Offers tools for local SEO audits, citation building, and review management, helping your platform improve its local search presence. |
| Moz | Provides keyword research, link building, and site audit tools to enhance your platform's SEO efforts and improve search engine rankings. |
| Ahrefs | Analyzes your platform's backlink profile, identifies top-performing content, and tracks keyword rankings to boost your SEO strategy. |
| Screaming Frog SEO Spider | Crawls your platform's website to identify technical SEO issues, such as broken links and duplicate content, helping improve site health and rankings. |
| AnswerThePublic | Generates content ideas by showing what people are searching for related to online learning, helping you create relevant and engaging blog posts and pages. |
| Canva | Helps create visually appealing social media posts and graphics for your website, which can improve user engagement and indirectly boost SEO. |
| Hotjar | Provides insights into user behavior on your platform's website through heatmaps and session recordings, helping you optimize user experience and reduce bounce rates. |
Copy the SEO tactics of the best learning platform owners
We understand why many educators and course creators might shy away from SEO and marketing.
Managing an online learning platform is already a full-time job, and the concept of SEO can seem vague and foreign. The terminology can be confusing, and it often feels like marketing is a luxury only big corporations can afford.
Plus, there's the constant worry about costs and whether any marketing efforts will actually pay off. We get that you prefer to focus on immediate, tangible improvements to your courses rather than dive into something that seems complicated and uncertain. No need to deteriorate your platform’s budget here.
That's why we've created a "marketing pack" specifically for online learning platforms like yours.
Our pack is designed to address all these concerns head-on. It includes easy-to-follow guides that break down SEO and marketing into simple steps, so you don't need to be a tech expert to understand. We offer cost-effective strategies that fit within tight budgets, and our step-by-step plans ensure that you can implement a good marketing strategy for your online courses without feeling overwhelmed.
Plus, we've included real-life examples and tips that have worked for other small online learning platforms, so you can see the tangible benefits before you even start.
Our goal is to make marketing accessible and practical, helping your platform thrive without adding extra stress to your already busy life.
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