You’ve decided that it’s time for SEO training. The next step is to decide between in-house and online SEO training.
They can both teach your employees about the nuances of SEO and show them how to run campaigns that get results, but there are big differences in the structure and benefits of in-house and online SEO training.
The Cost
In-person SEO training is usually the more expensive option, and we’re not just talking about the cost of the training itself.
If you’re visiting an educational facility, you’ll need to arrange travel for everyone in your group while also thinking about food, refreshments, and even accommodation if it’s a long trip. If you’re bringing an SEO expert to your workplace, you’ll likely be asked to cover their expenses.
Online SEO training is cheaper, but there’s more to this decision than cost.
The Level of Focus
We’re all prone to getting a little distracted. You’re learning about key performance indicators one minute, and the next, you’re mentally mapping your weekend or wondering if your favorite football franchise will get the W on Sunday.
It happens in all settings, but it is less common during in-house SEO training. There are fewer distractions, as no one wants to be caught whipping out their phone to check Facebook. If everyone is attending on their own computers and devices at home, they’ll always be a click, knock, phone call, or stray child/animal away from a distraction.
The immersion in a classroom environment and the accountability provided by tutors, employers, and colleagues usually keeps students focused on the task at hand.
The Convenience
It’s easy to arrange for an SEO educator to come to your offices. You can schedule the training at a time that suits you, so it shouldn’t cause much disruption.
It’s not as easy to arrange a trip to see the educator, and neither of these options are as simple or convenient as online sessions.
Everyone marks the date in their calendar, gets a notification and link, and joins before the lesson. Your employees don’t even need to be in the office, as they can connect from home.
The Immersion
Educators will make the lesson as immersive as possible, whether it takes place in a classroom or through video conferencing software. But it’s much easier to set the right tone in a classroom.
As noted above, they can make sure everyone is paying attention. They will also structure their lesson in a way that makes it engaging, ensuring everyone stays switched on.
The educator will engage the students as much as possible, using examples and scenarios to hold their focus and encourage interactivity.
Is In-House or Online SEO Training Best for Me?
It depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for, how big your team is, and whether you’re within reach of the SEO expert’s target area.
If you’re operating on a tight budget and don’t live near the educator, an online course is probably the best solution. However, if you have a large team and budget and want to do everything you can to ensure the best and most impactful experience, arrange some in-house lessons.
How to Choose the Best Online and In-House SEO Classes
After deciding between online and in-house SEO training, it’s time to choose an experienced teacher who can get the results you need.
Some of the things to consider include:
Check the Educator’s Credentials
SEO is multi-faceted and highly competitive. There are standard approaches across the sector, but the best creators have their own unique method.
If you want the best results from your SEO campaigns, you need an experienced trainer with a track record of producing great results and taking websites to the top of Google.
Look Over the Class Materials
What will the course include? What materials will the trainer be using? You’re not there just to listen to a lecture explaining the basics of SEO. They should be able to provide visual examples, including successful campaigns and scenarios outlining the best and worst approaches.
You’re paying for their experience and their skill, not how many fancy tools and PowerPoints they use, but presentations create visual examples that ensure the information sticks.
Make Sure the Material is Fresh
One of the reasons SEO is so complex is that it’s constantly changing. Google updates its algorithm regularly, and this impacts how successful certain techniques are.
There was a time when getting to the top of Google meant spamming your pages with hidden keyword lists and using the main keyword in your domain. We’ve come a long way since then, but there are still big changes in how Google values certain content.
Look for an SEO trainer who regularly updates their material, one who doesn’t simply recycle the same things they have been teaching for years.
Check Reviews and Testimonials
If you’re working with experienced SEO trainers, whether they offer in-person or online courses, they should have plenty of reviews and testimonials from previous customers.
Don’t just take their word for it, either. Reviews provide you with basic insights into customer satisfaction, but this is a results-driven industry, so you need to know how successful those courses were.
Look for brand and business names, get a rough idea of when they paid for training, and do some research on them. Did they experience any notable improvements in their rankings?
Bear in mind, however, that the trainer is there to show them how it’s done, not to do it for them. Even someone who has learned the fundamentals of SEO can still make mistakes and run ineffective campaigns if they don’t have a dedicated team of capable writers.
Summary: Choosing In-House or Online SEO Training
Regardless of the option you choose, SEO training can have a massive impact on the trajectory of your business. It will teach your employees how to run successful campaigns that could improve your rankings and bring more organic visitors to your website.
Just remember, you’re playing the long game here. It takes time to teach them the basics, and you also need to allow plenty of time to plan and create campaigns while waiting for Google to take notice.
For more information on SEO training, and to book lessons with an experienced SEO professional, check out our in-house SEO training page.
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