Best SEO Bootcamps 2023: Learn SEO

SEO skills are in high demand. Learn about the best SEO bootcamps and their costs, formats, time commitments, and employment opportunities.
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Updated on April 19, 2023
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Search engines play a huge role in our lives. These massive software systems help to direct internet activity. But according to Similarweb data, about 65% of internet searches resulted in zero clicks in 2020. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process that helps websites appear higher in search results and generate more clicks from users.

In an SEO bootcamp, students acquire the technical SEO skills to better develop and implement digital marketing strategies. They learn basic programming and website architecture that appeals to users and web crawlers. Depending on their previous training and experience, graduates may pursue various SEO jobs, including SEO specialist, developer, or marketing positions.

Here, we explore the best SEO bootcamps, what topics they cover, and important details about course formats.

What Is SEO?

In basic terms, SEO makes websites more accessible and valuable for search engines and users. Optimized websites are crawlable and indexable by search engines, meaning they have working internal and external links and no script or loading issues. They also have useful and updated content, applicable keywords, and accurate titles, along with the appropriate underlying tags and metadata.

Each element of SEO best practices has a large impact on how users experience a website and how search engines rank it. SEO specialists may oversee targeted content creation campaigns, provide technical web development advice, and conduct keyword and market research.

Why Enroll in an SEO Bootcamp?

According to Forbes, over 70% of businesses had a website in 2023, and 43% of small businesses intend to invest in their website's performance. Today, an optimized website is critical to a company's success.

SEO is required to maximize these websites' visibility, engagement, and traffic conversions. This translates to high demand for those with SEO skills, which are a gateway into many digital marketing careers. Business owners and front-end web developers may also benefit from SEO training.

Compared to a bachelor's in marketing or a related field, an SEO bootcamp offers intensive instruction on specific SEO strategies. It provides hands-on instruction that often results in an all-important portfolio. In addition, bootcamps often cost less and take less time to complete than a bachelor's degree.

SEO and Digital Marketing Bootcamps for You

Best SEO Bootcamps

BrainStation

  • Locations: Remote, New York City, Miami
  • Program Cost:$15,000
  • Learning Formats: In Person, Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time (3 Months), Part Time (8 Months)
Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

BrainStation's intensive 400-hour digital marketing bootcamp explores SEO strategies and concepts, along with search engine, content, and social media marketing. You'll learn via hands-on, project-based instruction from industry experts. The online learning format includes live interactive classes and peer collaboration.

BrainStation also offers networking events and a demo day where you can share your capstone projects with professionals in the industry. In addition, you'll have access to a network of 6,500 hiring partners, including top brands like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. BrainStation reports that 90% of its graduates are employed within 180 days.

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General Assembly

  • Locations: Remote
  • Program Cost:$4,500
  • Learning Formats: Online
  • Time Commitment: Full Time (1 Week), Part Time (10 Weeks)
Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

General Assembly's digital marketing bootcamp starts with self-paced prep lessons that introduce relevant concepts. Digital marketing professionals will instruct you on SEO and content strategy, Google Analytics, and social media and search engine marketing.

General Assembly also offers a self-led digital marketing course with 53 lessons and five one-on-one mentor sessions. It costs $950, and you get 12-month access.

The bootcamp offers various financing options and reports that over 45% of its part-time students receive tuition reimbursement from their employers. Its students also gain access to a global network of over 97,000 alumni and complete a real-world marketing campaign as a final project.

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Tech Talent South

  • Locations: Remote
  • Program Cost: $7,750
  • Learning Formats: Online
  • Time Commitment: Part Time (12 Weeks)
Career Services

Tech Talent South offers an 80-hour digital marketing bootcamp. You'll attend online classes twice weekly, diving into SEO, pay-per-click advertising, analytics, and content and social media marketing. You'll also explore popular platforms like Hubspot, Meta, and Google Analytics.

Tech Talent South's career services help you find employment through the school's many hiring partners. Graduates have landed positions with industry leaders like Spotify, Bank of America, Amazon, Accenture, and WebMD.

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University of California, Davis

  • Locations: Remote
  • Program Cost:$11,495
  • Learning Formats: Online
  • Time Commitment: Part Time (18 Weeks)
Career Services
Evening & Weekend Options

The UC Davis digital marketing bootcamp includes nine hours of live online classes each week. Instruction includes hands-on training in optimizing websites, digital advertising, and marketing strategies. An optional pre-course, self-paced module is available if you don't have marketing experience. A post-course module explores designing and optimizing a WordPress portfolio.

Career services include workshops, industry events, networking opportunities, and job referrals at over 260 employer partners. You can also gain valuable experience through paid micro-internship opportunities while enrolled.

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Get the Qualities You Want in a Bootcamp

We use icons to make browsing bootcamps easy for you. Use this breakdown to quickly identify program qualities you are looking for.

Accepts GI Bill®

Accepts the GI Bill® as funding for tuition.

Also Available In Person

This online bootcamp also offers in-person options.

Career Services

Offers career services to help you land your dream job after graduation.

CIRR Member

This bootcamp is a current member of the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting. Learn more at cirr.org.

Evening & Weekend Options

Bootcamps are offered during convenient evening and weekend hours.

Job Guarantee

Employment is guaranteed as soon as you finish your bootcamp.

Money-Back Guarantee

Tuition is refunded if you don't land a job within a given time frame after graduation. Visit the bootcamp website for terms and conditions.

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No deposit is required to get started. Begin your bootcamp for $0.

Methodology

Bootcamp Ranking Guidelines

At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.

Our Methodology

The Bootcamp Team at BestColleges has collected data for over 150 bootcamps to help you find the best bootcamp.

At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.

At this time, our recommendation round-ups feature only immersive bootcamps designed to prepare students for job placement upon graduation.

To be included on our lists, bootcamps must meet the following criteria:

  • Must offer at least one bootcamp in the United States.
  • Must offer at least one bootcamp that is a minimum of 4 weeks long.
  • Must require at least 15 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is part time.
  • Must encourage at least 10 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is self-paced.

Pricing disclosure: The prices listed were collected from product websites in 2022. However, given the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the tech space, prices are subject to change throughout the year. To get the most up-to-date information about pricing, contact providers directly.

Methodology for Recommending Cheap Bootcamps:

  • The bootcamp must meet all of the general criteria listed above.
  • The bootcamp must cost less than $8,000 if it is offered full time, and less than $5,000 if it is offered part time. These numbers were chosen based on data collected by BestColleges in 2020 that determined the average cost of a coding bootcamp is $13,580.

SEO Jobs and Career Outlook

In today's digital world, people that can optimize website rankings and increase click-through rates are in demand. Upwork, a freelancing platform, listed SEO as the most in-demand marketing skill for 2023.

A search on ZipRecruiter for SEO jobs revealed over 16,00 postings in March 2023. A few of these job titles include SEO specialist, SEO manager, digital marketer, SEO analyst, and content strategist.

The salaries for these positions vary based on the role, location, level, and company. If you're starting in the field, remember that a career in SEO offers tons of potential for growth. The following data represents average wages reported by Payscale as of February or March 2023.

SEO Jobs and Salaries
Job Average Salary Top 10% Salary
SEO Specialist $49,780 $69,000
SEO Analyst $53,240 $75,000
Content Strategist $66,340 $104,000
SEO Manager $74,640 $107,000
Marketing Manager $70,140 $105,000
Director of Digital Marketing $108,680 $161,000

Frequently Asked Questions About SEO Bootcamps

Is an SEO bootcamp worth it?

Yes. Most SEO bootcamps help you develop job-ready skills through hands-on learning. Plus, bootcamps may offer career services and provide coursework that results in a strong professional portfolio.

In addition, because SEO instruction often falls under a digital marketing umbrella, you'll receive well-rounded lessons on many online marketing aspects, preparing you for various opportunities.

How much do SEO bootcamps cost?

SEO bootcamps can vary in price. Tuition can depend on the program's length and the services provided. Some very short programs may cost less than $1,000, whereas lengthier bootcamps from reputable organizations and institutions may exceed $15,000.

To help learners manage the cost of SEO bootcamps, many bootcamp providers offer several payment options, including deferred tuition and payment plans. You may be able to apply for bootcamp scholarships as well. Bootcamp providers also work with employers for tuition sponsorships.

Is SEO easy to learn?

You may find some topics challenging, but those who commit to their studies should be able to learn SEO. Because the SEO landscape changes frequently, you'll need to stay on top of current SEO best practices once you learn the basics.

Entry-level SEO bootcamps teach you search engine principles and what search engines look for on websites. You'll then explore the technical components of SEO and various strategies for maximizing a website's position in the results.

What programming languages are useful to know for SEO?

The most important coding languages to learn depend on the field. In general, HTML and CSS provide strong foundations for you to build on. All websites contain HTML and CSS, so many SEO jobs require a working understanding of these languages.

Some SEO bootcamps may dive into more advanced languages, such as Python or JavaScript. Easy-to-learn languages may include Ruby and SQL for working with relational databases.


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