This month I completed the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) Instute’s certificate on Advanced Search Engine Optimization.
Overall, it’s a good course. Though I was familiar with many of the topics covered, most of what I know has been self-taught. It was a good update, for sure.
The content is valuable and relevant; there are a gazillion awesome resource links; and you get free trials for KeywordDiscovery and WordTracker (which I’m playing with right now).
Here’s how it works. There are 15 online modules, each lasting a bit more than an hour – depending on how familiar you are with the topic. The 15 modules are divided into five categories: Adv. Keyword Research, SEO Diagnostics & Audit, Advanced Link Building, Editing and Optimizing Pages, and Reporting & Analytics.
After you complete each module, you can complete the respective test. You can take tests until you pass, but the first pass mark is only one recorded. You complete the course by completing all tests. Careful, if you quit during a test (like I did when running out of battery) it will record it as a fail!
There are some parts, however, that need a bit of tweaking. Some of the ‘fill in the blank’ answers can be rather tricky. Some audio and more visuals wouldn’t hurt, like Google’s training. Also, it was frustrating not being able to download the lessons to print and read offline.
You can still access the lessons after you finish the course.
Lastly, upon completion, you can display the the certificate of completion (top) and the “trained” logo (can you see it on the side bar?)
The SEMPO Institute and SEMPO have a mentorship program. Though I don’t know much about it, I’m going to inquire – I always wanted to have mentor 🙂
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