Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students should understand what SEO is, why it matters in digital marketing, and how it helps content rank higher on search engines like Google.
📘 Introduction
Every day, millions of people search for information on Google and other search engines. Some search for answers, others look for products, services, or ideas. But have you ever wondered how Google decides which websites appear first?
That’s where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in. SEO is the process of improving your website or content so that search engines can easily find and show it to people. If your content appears on page one, more people will see it, visit your page, and possibly buy from you or follow your work.
What Exactly is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) means doing certain things to help your website or content appear higher in search results. It includes:
1. Using the right keywords (words people search for)
2. Creating quality content that answers real questions
3. Making your website fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to read
4. Getting links from other trusted websites
5. Organizing your content in a way that makes sense to search engines
The better your SEO, the easier it is for people to find you online — without paying for ads.
⚙️ How to Start Doing SEO
Here are beginner-friendly steps to start optimizing your content:
✅ Step 1: Keyword Research
Use free tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Answer the Public to find what people are searching for. Example: If people are searching for “how to grow tomatoes in Malawi,” use that phrase in your blog title and content.
✅ Step 2: Optimize Titles and Headings
Use your main keyword in your post title and subheadings.
Example: Title — “5 Easy Ways to Grow Tomatoes in Malawi”
✅ Step 3: Write Quality Content
Make sure your article or video really answers the person’s question. Include tips, images, and clear steps.
✅ Step 4: Improve Website Speed and Mobile Use
If your blog or website loads slowly or doesn’t work on phones, people leave — and Google notices. Use PageSpeed Insights to test your site.
✅ Step 5: Use Internal and External Links
Link to your own pages (internal) and to trusted sources (external) to help search engines understand your content.
📝 Quick Activity
Think of one topic your audience might search for. Use Google or Ubersuggest to find keywords. Write a title for a blog post using one of those keywords.
✅ Summary
SEO helps your content get discovered without paying for ads. When you understand how search engines work and follow simple SEO steps, you increase your visibility, traffic, and business growth online.
Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students should understand what keywords are, why they matter in SEO, and how to find and use them correctly to improve content visibility and attract the right audience.
📘 Introduction
Imagine you want to learn how to make organic juice. You go to Google and type “how to make juice from baobab.” That phrase is a keyword.
Keywords are the bridge between what people search for and the content you create. Search engines like Google or YouTube scan your content for keywords — and use them to decide when to show your content in search results.
Knowing how to find the right keywords and use them correctly helps more people discover your business, blog, or YouTube channel — for free!
📌 What Are Keywords?
Keywords are words or phrases people type into search engines when they are looking for something online.
They come in two main types:
Short keywords (1–2 words):
➤ e.g., “solar panels,” “fashion”
Long-tail keywords (3+ words):
➤ e.g., “how to install solar panels at home,” “cheap fashion ideas in Malawi”
Long-tail keywords are more specific, often less competitive, and better for reaching people with a clear need or intent.
🎯 Why Keywords Matter
1. Guide Your Content
➤ You create content people are actively searching for.
2. Boost SEO
➤ Proper keywords help your content appear on Google and other search engines.
3. Attract the Right Audience
➤ You get visitors who are interested in exactly what you offer.
4. Improve Conversion
➤ When people find exactly what they searched for, they are more likely to buy or follow.
🔍 How to Find Good Keywords
Use these free tools to find real, useful keywords:
Google Search Suggestions:
➤ Start typing a phrase, and Google will show popular related searches.
AnswerThePublic.com:
➤ See what questions people are asking around your topic.
Ubersuggest.com:
➤ Gives keyword ideas, monthly search volume, and SEO difficulty (how hard it is to rank).
Google Trends:
➤ Shows rising and falling keyword popularity over time and location.
AlsoAsked.com
➤ Reveals follow-up questions people ask after searching a keyword.
🛠️ How to Use Keywords Smartly
Once you choose a keyword, use it in these important areas:
✅ Title (e.g., blog, YouTube, or Facebook post)
✅ First paragraph or sentence
✅ Subheadings (H2, H3)
✅ Image ALT text
✅ Meta description (summary shown on Google search)
> Example Keyword: “start poultry farming in Malawi”
Good Title: “How to Start Poultry Farming in Malawi: Beginner Tips That Work”
Pro Tip: Don’t overuse the keyword. Use it 3–5 times naturally in the content. Always write for humans first, not just search engines.
Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students should understand what On-Page SEO is, why it matters, and how to apply it to websites or blog posts for better search engine rankings.
📘 Introduction
Imagine writing a great blog post or creating a useful website, but nobody sees it. That’s frustrating, right? That’s where On-Page SEO helps.
On-Page SEO is the practice of optimizing everything within your own content or website to make it easier for search engines like Google to understand, rank, and display it to the right audience.
What is On-Page SEO?
On-Page SEO refers to all the changes and improvements you make directly on your web pages to help them rank better in search engine results. It involves working with:
Keywords
Titles and headings
URLs
Images
Links
Content formatting
When done correctly, On-Page SEO makes your content more readable, relevant, and useful for both users and search engines.
🔑 Key Elements of On-Page SEO
1. Title Tag
This is the clickable title shown on search engines.
👉 Use your main keyword here.
Example: “Best Banana Farming Tips in Malawi”
2. Meta Description
A short summary of your page shown under the title in search results.
👉 Include the keyword and make it inviting to click.
Example: “Learn simple and profitable banana farming tips in Malawi using local tools.”
3. Headings (H1, H2, H3)
Organize your content with headings. Use your keyword in at least one subheading.
4. URL Optimization
👉 Keep the page URL short, clear, and keyword-rich.
Example: skillbridge.com/start-banana-farming
5. Keyword Placement
Use your keyword:
In the first paragraph
In subheadings
A few times naturally in the content (avoid keyword stuffing)
6. Image Optimization
Rename images using keywords and add alt text (alternative text for accessibility).
Example: Image name: banana-farm-malawi.jpg, alt text: “young bananas growing in Malawi”
7. Internal Links
Link to other useful pages within your website or blog.
Example: “Read more about organic composting for farmers.”
📝 Quick Activity
Choose a topic. Write a sample page title, a meta description, and outline one H2 subheading using a keyword.
✅ Summary
On-Page SEO is all about making your content easy to read, relevant, and well-organized for both users and search engines. When you apply On-Page SEO techniques, your visibility improves, and more people find your content naturally.
Objective:
By the end of this lesson, students will understand what Google Search Console is, why it’s important, and how to use it to improve website performance and SEO.
📘 Introduction
Imagine building a shop but not knowing who visits, what they buy, or what they like. That’s how websites are without Google Search Console (GSC).
Google Search Console is a free tool provided by Google to help you monitor how your website appears in search results. It shows you what’s working, what’s not, and where to improve.
📌 What is Google Search Console?
Google Search Console (GSC) is like a health report and control center for your website’s SEO. It helps you:
See how many people visit your site from Google
Know which keywords people use to find your pages
Track errors and fix problems
Submit your website to be indexed by Google
Monitor backlinks (who links to your site)
GSC is not the same as Google Analytics. Analytics tracks what users do on your site; GSC tracks how they find your site from search.
🔍 Why Is Google Search Console Important?
1. Improves Visibility – Helps you know which keywords bring traffic so you can focus on them.
2. Fixes Issues – Alerts you to errors like broken pages or mobile usability problems.
3. Boosts SEO – Shows you what Google sees when it scans your site.
4. Tracks Progress – You can measure how well your SEO strategies are working.
🛠️ How to Set Up Google Search Console
1. Go to: https://search.google.com/search-console
2. Click “Start Now” and sign in with your Gmail account.
3. Choose “Domain” or “URL prefix” (start with URL prefix if you're new).
4. Paste your website/blog URL.
5. Verify ownership using one of the following:
HTML file upload
HTML tag (add to your site’s header)
Google Analytics account (if connected)
Once verified, Google starts tracking your site’s data.
📊 Key Features You Should Know
Performance Report: See impressions, clicks, and top keywords.
Coverage Report: Find pages with errors (like 404s).
URL Inspection Tool: Test individual pages for indexing issues.
Sitemaps: Submit your sitemap so Google crawls all your pages faster.
Mobile Usability: Check if your site is mobile-friendly.
📝 Quick Activity
If you have a blog or website, sign up for Google Search Console. Explore the performance report and list 3 top queries bringing people to your site.
✅ Summary
Google Search Console is a powerful tool every digital marketer should use. It helps you see what’s working, fix problems, and improve your SEO results — all for free. The more you use it, the smarter your SEO becomes.
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