University of Cape Town
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Optimise the impact of your online presence by implementing powerful SEO strategies.
Start date
14 April 2025
Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
8 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The high percentage of online experiences that start with a search engine.
Blue Corona (Dec, 2018).
The average search share of traffic generated by SEO, with paid only amounting to 15%.
Brightedge (2019).
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
With the rise of digital technologies, adopting new online and optimisation strategies has become imperative. As a contemporary business owner or professional, having a grasp of search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial to bolstering your enterprise’s online presence and ultimately triumph.
The Search Engine Optimisation online short course offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT) ensures that your business is maximally visible on search engine results pages. This course is designed to equip you with the expertise to implement your own SEO tactics and strategies, providing you with a competitive edge in the marketplace. You will acquire essential principles and practical skills to drive more traffic to your website by crafting SEO-optimised content. The opportunity to practise on a live eCommerce WordPress site will enable you to offer in-demand SEO services to clients and enhance your website’s ranking.
Is this course for you?
This course caters to both experienced digital marketing professionals and newcomers. Professionals can refine their skills with the latest SEO practices, tools, and ethical considerations, while novices gain a thorough understanding of SEO, content strategies, website structures, and analytics tools. Business owners and entrepreneurs will also benefit from learning practical optimization strategies that can be immediately implemented within their context. This course offers a certificate from Africa’s leading university,1 providing validation to marketers, web professionals, and those starting a career in SEO.
1 QS Top Universities (Aug, 2024).
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
With the rise of digital technologies, adopting new online and optimisation strategies has become imperative. As a contemporary business owner or professional, having a grasp of search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial to bolstering your enterprise’s online presence and ultimately triumph.
The Search Engine Optimisation online short course offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT) ensures that your business is maximally visible on search engine results pages. This course is designed to equip you with the expertise to implement your own SEO tactics and strategies, providing you with a competitive edge in the marketplace. You will acquire essential principles and practical skills to drive more traffic to your website by crafting SEO-optimised content. The opportunity to practise on a live eCommerce WordPress site will enable you to offer in-demand SEO services to clients and enhance your website’s ranking.
Is this course for you?
This course caters to both experienced digital marketing professionals and newcomers. Professionals can refine their skills with the latest SEO practices, tools, and ethical considerations, while novices gain a thorough understanding of SEO, content strategies, website structures, and analytics tools. Business owners and entrepreneurs will also benefit from learning practical optimization strategies that can be immediately implemented within their context. This course offers a certificate from Africa’s leading university,1 providing validation to marketers, web professionals, and those starting a career in SEO.
1 QS Top Universities (Aug, 2024).
What will set you apart
Best practices to drive more traffic to your website and impact its online business presence.
The ability to design paid content strategies for effective SEO.
The skills to compile an SEO performance report based on analytics and data tools.
Knowledge of the basic principles of HTML and site architecture.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
SEO in the current digital landscape
Module 2
SEO updates and trends
Module 3
HTML, site architecture, and technical factors
Module 4
Google Analytics, SEO goal setting and SEO tools
Module 5
Content strategy
Module 6
Writing for the web
Module 7
Inbound marketing
Module 8
PPC, AdWords, and paid advertising
Module 9
Advanced analytics and strategy
Module 10
Reporting for client satisfaction
Get more information
Course Convenor
Grant Oosterwyk
Lecturer, Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Commerce, UCT
About the certificate
Explore the finest techniques of search engine optimisation (SEO), earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
%20(1)%20(1).png)
Get more information
Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
