Course modulesModule 0
Start Here
00 Setup & Your Path
Foundations
01 What SEO Is 02 Search Engines Explained
Research
Keywords Search Intent
Plan & Build
Website Architecture SEO Strategy & Planning Content That Ranks On-Page SEO Internal Linking
Technical & Authority
Technical SEO Backlinks
Specializations
Local SEO E-Commerce SEO Getting cited by ChatGPT
Measure & Scale
SEO Tracking Maintenance & Scaling
Module 0 Start Here

Setup & Your Path

Before you learn a single tactic, get your tools in place and find out exactly which parts of this course matter most for your situation.

10 min read3 tools to set upPick your path
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Read First

Why This Module Exists

Most people fail at SEO before they even begin. They jump into tactics, get stuck because they never set up the basic tools, and quit. This module removes that wall. By the end, you will have the three tools every SEO needs, you will know which paid tools are worth it (and which aren't), and you will know exactly which modules to prioritize for your goal.

Everything in this course is built around one real example business so you see the system applied start to finish — not just explained in theory. Meet your case study:

The Running Example · Brew & Bloom

One business, every SEO type

Brew & Bloom is a café in Portland that also sells coffee beans and indoor plants through an online shop, and publishes care guides on its blog. We use it in every module because it covers all three SEO situations at once:

→ Local SEO — the physical café people search for nearby
→ E-commerce SEO — the online shop selling beans and plants
→ Content SEO — the blog with guides like "how to keep a fiddle leaf fig alive"

Whatever your own situation is — local business, online store, or content site — you'll see your case reflected in Brew & Bloom.

Setup

The 3 Tools You Set Up Right Now

You do not need expensive software to start. These three cover search visibility, on-site behavior, and keyword research. Set them up before moving to Module 1.

1

Google Search Console

This is non-negotiable. It shows you what Google sees: which pages are indexed, what keywords you appear for, your clicks, impressions, and any errors. Google Search Console documentation.

● FreeSetup: ~10 min · verify domain ownership
2

Google Analytics (GA4)

Search Console shows how people find you. Analytics measures event-based activity after people arrive, including the customer journey across a website. Google Analytics documentation.

● FreeSetup: ~10 min · add tracking code to site
3

A Keyword Tool

You need to research what people search for and view Google's search estimates. Start with Keyword Planner, then upgrade only when your workflow needs more depth. Google Keyword Planner documentation.

● Free to startPaid tiers optional later
Spending

What's Worth Paying For (and What Isn't)

Beginners waste money on tools they're not ready to use. Here's the honest breakdown. Start with the free column. Only move to paid once you have traffic to analyze and money coming in.

ToolWhat it doesVerdict
Search ConsoleGoogle's own data on your siteEssential · Free
Analytics (GA4)Visitor behavior on your siteEssential · Free
Keyword PlannerSearch volumes from GoogleGood enough to start · Free
Ahrefs / SemrushDeep keyword + backlink researchWorth it later · Paid
Screaming FrogTechnical site auditsFree up to 500 URLs · Official pricing
"Rank booster" servicesPromise instant rankingsAvoid — verify every service before granting access
Save Your Money

You can learn and apply the core workflow with free tools. Paid tools save time and add depth; they do not replace sound research, useful pages, or measurement. Don't buy anything until you know which repeated task the upgrade will improve.

Personalize

Find Your Path

Every module in this course is valuable, and the full path is the recommended way through. If you have a specific goal, choose the card that fits your situation; its visible module list is the recommended priority order.

Local Business
You run a café, salon, clinic, or any business with a physical location serving a local area.
Prioritize:
1–57912 Local15
Online Store
You sell products through an e-commerce site — Shopify, WooCommerce, or similar.
Prioritize:
1–57–913 E-Com14 AI
Content / Blog
You grow through articles, guides, and informational content — bloggers, creators, media.
Prioritize:
1–81014 AI16
Learning the Skill
You want to master SEO as a career skill or to offer it as a service. Do everything, in order.
Prioritize:
All modules, in order
Recommended

Even with a chosen path, read every module at least once. SEO works as a system — the parts you skip are usually the parts quietly holding your rankings back.

Keep reading

That was Module 0. 3 of the 17 modules are free. Continue reading, or unlock the complete system.

Continue readingSee pricing
Up next · Foundations What SEO Is
$79.00Complete course See pricing