SEOPSA Level 1 – SEO Professional Certification

Online Self-Paced Course | 11 Modules
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Home > SEOPSA Level 1 – Certified Search Engine Optimisation Professional

About this SEO Course

SEOPSA Level 1 SEO Certification Course:

This Search Engine Optimisation Professional certification program is structured to align with the core elements on the SEO Periodic Table of Ranking Factors.

The course will equip you with the relevant knowledge, skills and tools to optimise and maintain a successful SEO campaign. You’ll learn how to increase your rankings on Google while attracting better quality visitors to your website using ethical and Google compliance best practice guidelines.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understanding the Google Algorithm Ranking Signals, including Core Web Vitals.

  • Learn best-practice for On-Page; Technical and Off-Page SEO Optimisation

  • Understand the latest Google updates and how it impacts your Google Rankings

  • Learn advanced Keyword Research and Optimisation Techniques

  • Discovery the best SEO Tools and Software for Management and Reporting

  • Learn how to improve your Google Organic Rankings, Traffic and Leads

Tools Covered

ahrefs
google
web ceo
semrush
screamingfrog
pingdom
moz
keywords everywhere

Lessons

SEO Fundamentals

  • What is SEO – Understand how Search Engines work and what Search Engine Optimisation is.
  • Buying Funnel – Understand where does SEO fits into customer journeys and the buying funnel.
  • SEO vs PPC – Understand the difference between SEO and Search Marketing (PPC Advertising).
  • Hybrid Search – Understand the relationship between Paid and Organic Search.
  • SEO Periodic Table – Learn about the SEO Periodic Table and how elements are weighted.
  • Influencers and Community – Learn about the key influencers and communities to follow.
  • SEO Landscape and Trends – Understand the latest trends and key shifts in SEO and key predictions for the future.

  • Research (Rs) – How to discover keywords people may use to find your content.
  • Keywords (Kw) – Best practice for building target keywords into your pages.
  • Quality (Qu) – How to write pages well that consider substantial quality.
  • Freshness (Fr) – Understanding ‘Freshbot’ and learn when and how to create timely content; refresh, repurpose or retire pages.
  • Multimedia (Mm) – How to optimise Images, video and audio to set your content apart.
  • Depth (Dt) – What is considered shallow content and how to aim for substance.
  • Answers (An) – How to create content that can be turned into answers in the SERP.

  • Titles (Tt) – How to build keywords into your titles and make your compelling click-through titles.
  • Schema (Sc) – How to use structured data and schema to turn data into enhanced listings.
  • Headings (Hd) – Understand how heading structures work in search and learn how to optimise your headers and sub headers.
  • Content Shift (CLS) – Understand the importance of minimal content shift upon page load improves user experience and other Core Web Vitals.
  • Description (Ds) – Tips for creating descriptive, enticing user and search friendly page descriptions.
  • Image Alt (Alt) – Understand the importance of image titles and Alt text and learn how to optimise for accessibility and image search performance.

  • Crawl (Cr) – Understand how Search engines crawl and learn how to optimise your crawl budget.
  • Mobile First (Mo) – How to optimise for smartphone and tablets.
  • Structure (St) – How to structure your pages to make it easy for both users and bots to understand
  • Parity (Pr) – Learn the importance of creating parity in links, navigation, structured data, content, images, and between the mobile and desktop UI.
  • URLs (Ur)  – Learn how to create SEO-friendly page addresses
  • Duplicate (Dd) – Understand what is meant by ‘duplicate’ and learn how to use canonicals and redirects smartly.
  • Speed (Sp) – Learn how to make your site load quickly for user interaction. Understand the FID Core Web Vital.
  • HTTPS (Ps) -The importance of Https and security for website visitors.

  • Link Quality (Lq) – How to seek authentic links from trusted quality websites and learn how to check for (and manage) toxic or poor quality links.
  • Anchors (Ac) – How to create a natural Link anchor text profile for your site’s pages.
  • Quantity (Qt) – Learn tactics to boost quality links quickly and naturally.

  • Expertise (Ex) – Learn how to create expertise signals to show search engines that you are a thought leader on a given topic.
  • Authority (Au) – Learn how to generate links, mentions, shares and buzz to set your site apart as the go-to for your topic.
  • Trust (Tr) – Learn how to establish your site as trustworthy, consistent and credible.

  • User Experience (Ux) – Understand the principles for creating a site that makes your users want to come back and read more?
  • Intent (It) – Learn how to do effective keyword mapping across all stages of the consumer journey, and how to build content to meet the searchers intent.
  • Locality (Ly) – How to create experiences that target specific areas (neighbourhoods and cities)
  • Country (Cy) – Learn how to implement hreflang, translations or transcreations for multi-language or country-specific experiences at a Global scale.
  • Engagement (Eg) – Learn how to measure engagement and discover tactics to reduce bounces and increase time on site.

  • Cloaking (Cl) – Understand what search engines see as cloaking and how the impact it has on rankings.
  • Schemes (Sc) – Learn what is considered spammy links and identify tactics that might flag link penalties; and what you should be doing about it.
  • Bad Content (Bc) – Automated, spun, sticked, scraped content and doorway pages – Learn what they are and when Google will punish your site.
  • Malicious Behaviour (Mb) – Understand how Google detects phishing, trojans, malware and hacking behaviour and learn how to identify when Negative SEO has targeted your site.
  • Stuffing (Sf) – Keyword density vs distribution and what copywriters should and shouldn’t do with keyword placement.
  • Hiding (Hi) – Understand what is considered as masked, unclear, unintelligible, misleading, or hidden content and how it affects rankings.
  • Piracy (Ar) – Piracy vs Plagiarism. How to detect and avoid ‘stolen content’ penalties.
  • Intrusiveness (Iv) – Pop-ups, interstitials, and ad-heavy content – learn what they are and learn what the boundaries and limitations are to prevent your site from being dropped.

  • Google Search Console Management
  • SEO Management, Tracking and Reporting Tools such as WebCEO, SEM Rush, Rank Ranger, etc
  • WordPress Plugins for SEO such as Yoast
  • Using Crawl Spider Tools such as Screaming Frog
  • Other Free SEO Tools

  • Important SEO KPI’s and Metrics
  • Ongoing SEO Health Checklists
  • SEO Audit Requirements
  • Ongoing SEO Management
  • Measuring against Objectives
  • Search Console & Google Analytics
SEO COURSE SKILLS TEST

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Buy this Course

This course is suited to anyone who is interested in obtaining the Level 1 SEOPSA Certification. Website Owners, Webmasters, Search Engine Marketers, SEO Professionals, Online Content Managers, Web Copywriters and Digital Marketers will also gain extensive value from attending this programme.

There are no minimum educational requirements to attend this course.
A Laptop or Tablet is required to take part in the practical assignments during the training.
Basic Computer, Internet and Google knowledge is required.
We also advise that you set-up a Google Ads account prior to attending.
We recommend that you have access to your website’s Search Console and Google Analytics Accounts.
Contact us for assistance in setting up or gaining access to your Google Accounts.
You do not need to have any HTML, Coding or Technical Experience to attend this course.

This certificate is endorsed by the Association for Search Engine Optimisation Professionals South Africa (SEOPSA). The Association for Search Engine Optimisation Professionals South Africa (SEOPSA) is a non-profit organisation established to further the SEO profession in South Africa. The association strives to promote the interests of the SEO industry through encouraging legitimate practices within the profession while safeguarding the interest of companies through ethical best practice compliance.

In order to achieve this aware, you need to pass the SEOPSA Level 1 Examination (80% pass grade is required). Should you pass, then your SEOPSA Level 1 Certification will be issued and will remain valid for 12 months from date of issue. Due to the increasing number of changes to the SEO Ranking Factors, students are required to renew the certification every 2 years. Should you remain up-to-date on SEO, you can attempt the renewal examination when you are due for renewal; however students who do not pass this exam will be required to attend the full course again.

Students who pass the SEOPSA Level 1 Certification Exam will become eligible to attend the SEOPSA Level 2 Specialist Certification.

Lifetime Access (5 Years):
Standard Fee – R14,600 ex vat per student (includes 1st Exam Fee)

Bulk discounts available for bookings of 3 or more. Contact us for Bulk Bookings.

Duration:
The course is self-paced, however live webinars are scheduled regularly.
Depending on your level of experience, the course can be covered over 4 to 8 weeks.

Delivery:
Online Google Classroom + Live Lecture-Led Webinars presented via Zoom.

Should you prefer face-to-face onsite course at your premises, please contact us for more inforamtion.  A minimum of 5 attendees are required for on-site training).

Testimonials

Google Reviews

  • Awesome training and friendly staff. The SEO training was really insightful and well-planned. Would definitely recommend it!

    Chane Henning Avatar Chane Henning
    16th March 2020

  • Did the SEO Professional Course and thoroughly enjoyed it! Would highly recommend it for anyone who has anything to do with the web. Gained a lot of insight and tons of information that I didn't even know I didn't know.

    Wikus Otto Avatar Wikus Otto
    11th September 2019

  • The three-day SEO course was incredibly compelling, informative and up-to-date. I learned a number of things from the course that will assist me to move the corporate that I work for up in Google search, as well as tools that will assist me to implement SEO. Ceri was very engaging and is a SEO subject matter expert. I definitely recommend this course to those who want to up their SEO game!

    Bavisha Govind Avatar Bavisha Govind
    11th September 2019

  • Really great course! I feel empowered with knowledge about SEO - I did the 3 day SEO course. I felt that Ceri was really helpful in answering questions and explaining everything in detail. Would highly recommend BlueMagnet to anyone looking to improve their SEO knowledge. Would be keen on doing further courses with them!

    Nicol Pappas Avatar Nicol Pappas
    11th September 2019

  • I thoroughly enjoyed this course and found it exceptionally valuable. The course was comprehensive and I found the overall experience with BlueMagnet to be slick, professional and top class. Ceri James knows his subject matter well and I found the training that he gave us to be very informative and up-to-date with what's going on in the industry. Definitely a course that marketers, digital content writers, publishers and web developers should attend.

    Linda Sloan Avatar Linda Sloan
    24th May 2019

BlueMagnet are always professional, knowledgeable, receptive and patient. After every engagement with them, we have taken away valuable insights and knowledge which is beneficial to us as individuals and within our roles in our business.

teljoy logoMelissa Signor, Teljoy

As always, there are so many takeaways from the BM courses which add value to me and my role.

Aimee Miller

The course was very well conducted. I am impressed. Lots of information but I have learnt a lot. There is a lot I need to read and implement.

Anelisa

I feel as though it conflicted with my experience based knowledge resulting in poorer assessment results.

Lauren Ashton Rock-Perring

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the course. The topic is far broader than I thought and there is still a lot to learn. Thanks for the opportunity to join and learn.

Dave Woolnough, African Bank

Awesome guys! Your business is thorough and trustworthy

Monique van Boom

Thoroughly enjoyed this course and I am sure that it will assist me in adding significant value to my clients

Dirk Jonathan Visser, Instinctif

Brilliant course, informative and engaging. If you’re building a brand online, this course is for.

Conan Green, DDB

Very impressed with BlueMagnet. Very slick and professional. Great training of great value.

Linda-Ann Sloan , Momentum

It was fantastic training and very practical, the knowledge and tools i have now am ready to take SEO to another level.

Fulufhelo Singo, Dosma Communications

Great course. Covered the basics . I really enjoyed the technical SEO section. The keyword research part was also very useful. We covered the theory but also learned how to use it in practice. Very beneficial.

Jade Brennan, Caxton Digital

Interactive, stimulating, and overall comprehensive.

Nakita McFarlane, Dimension Data

Really amazing course- worth every cent!

Tamzin Janse van Vuuren, Ideation Digital

Great course, expertly presented

Antoni Nel, Cosmopolitan Projects

Very informative, structured and lecturers very professional

Fritz Ferreira, Eurika DIY Solutions
View More Testimonials

Why BlueMagnet

Over 45+ Years’ Experience in Digital Marketing

Our team comprises of a collective of over 45 years having delivered professional digital marketing research analysis, strategy, online advertising, paid search, social media and search engine (SEO), user-centric (UX) compliant web development and design specialists across all touchpoints. We are have been practicing digital marketing in South Africa for as long as Google and Facebook has been in existence.

Founded in 2007, BlueMagnet proudly carries the reputation as the longest standing SEO Training Company in South Africa – endorsed by the Association for SEO Professionals South Africa (SEOPSA) – having trained some of the top SEO Agencies in South Africa. BlueMagnet was the first accredited South African Training Partner to the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) in Ireland, having provided the internationally recognised Certified Digital Marketing Professional accreditation to over thousands of students across Africa since 2012. BlueMagnet has been at the forefront of digital training and skills development for the past 12 years, with lecturers and trainers who have hands-on practical experience in digital marketing research, analysis, strategy, UX, SEO, PPC and various other digital channels.

All our Digital Marketing Consultants have achieved outstanding grades in the internationally recognised Professional Digital Marketing Certification through the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). Our Search Marketers are all Google Ads and Analytics qualified and have also completed SEOPSA’s SEO Professional Certification Program. Our Digital Marketing practitioners continuously enforce and uphold best-practice standards and compliance in digital marketing, ensuring that we adhere to a strict code of ethics and white-hat principles.

Our user-centered design methodology is based on the Human Factors International (HFI) framework which has been perfected over the past 30 Years. Recognised as the global leader in user experience (UX) design, HFI have incorporated best practices across every part of the user-centered design process including UX strategy, innovation, user research, structural design, detailed design, testing and validation.

We apply a stringent recruitment, selection and upskilling process to ensure that we employ the most experienced and technically competent Digital Marketing Experts in South Africa to deliver only the best Digital Marketing Services to serve our valued clients. Our Google specialists draw experience directly from the world’s leading advanced Search Marketing conferences, staying ahead of the latest Google algorithms, search trends, and search marketing tools.

We continuously evaluate available technologies to ensure that we utilise the most accurate and sophisticated digital marketing tools and software to conduct Website, SEO, UX, Google Ads, Content, Social Media, Online Brand Reputation, Sentiment and Analytics Audits; as well as Competitor Analysis; Online Market Research and ongoing Digital Marketing performance benchmarking, optimisation and management.

BlueMagnet partners with only the best web development companies and responsive web design companies, to ensure that your website is planned and development according to the highest standards.

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Years Digital Marketing Experience
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Top Performing Digital Campaigns
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Trained Digital Marketing Professionals
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Years SEO & UX Experience
Gift

Our Students Work At

clickatell
click maven
cubic ice
fleishman hillard
mind share
mobitainment
native VML
NXT
ogilvy interactive
ramsay media
TBWA
Virtuosa

Looking for custom designed on-site Digital Marketing training for your team?

BlueMagnet offers onsite custom designed training to empower your team with relevant digital marketing and digital literacy skills. We run a series of skills assessments to identify the current proficiencies and gaps across various digital competencies, and assist companies in devising a tailored training plan to meet the unique digital skills development needs of your organisation.

Our digital experts have extensive experience having trained both large and small groups across all areas of digital marketing. Whether your team is fairly advanced or have no digital skills at all, we can customise a training programme that will take their digital skills from zero to hero in as little time as possible.

Customised in-house training will keep your marketing team up-to-date with the latest digital skills, which can be delivered at your premises or at our training centre in Johannesburg. Additional costs may apply to on-site locations outside of the greater Johannesburg area. Skills Assessments are quoted for separately based on the nature and number of assessments required.

A full day on-site custom course will cost R18 000 ex vat for a full day group training session which includes up to 10 people attending. Additional attendees thereafter will be charged at R750 ex vat per person.

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