As online education takes center stage, the EdTech world has become a bustling battleground. Companies are always in a digital battle as they keep coming up with features and innovations to capture the attention of eager learners.
The stakes? A $605 billion industry by 2025. In a market as competitive as this, visibility is the only thing that will keep your business alive.
Search engine optimization is your ticket to being chosen in a sea of options. In this guide, we’ll simplify the essentials of SEO and show you how to use it in Bangladesh’s growing EdTech landscape. Because in this digital race, to win is to be seen.
What is SEO for EdTech?
Every search engine functions on an algorithm that activates when users enter their queries. EdTech SEO revolves around bringing up online educational websites in Google’s SERPs. At its core, SEO is about understanding algorithmic patterns and adjusting your website according to them.
Instead of relying solely on ads, SEO brings in organic traffic. This traffic consists of people who are already searching for what you offer. After all, SEO is all about being found by the right audience. When your website appears at the top of search results, it positions your brand as a leader in the education space.
While SEO is undeniably transformative for EdTech companies, it’s important to recognize that not all educational websites approach SEO similarly.
For instance, .edu websites have a distinct purpose and audience compared to EdTech platforms. It’s easy to conflate the two since they are related. So, in the next segment, we’ll discuss their differences and how they overlap.
The Difference Between EdTech and .edu Domains
EdTech and .edu websites are related but distinct concepts, and whether .edu falls under EdTech depends on the context. Let’s break it down:
What is .edu?
It is a domain only reserved for accredited educational institutions. This domain is mostly used for universities, colleges, and schools. These websites provide education-related information and are seen as hubs for:
- academic information
- research publications
- student resources
- institutional communication
What is EdTech?
By EdTech, we mean the use of technology to make the most of teaching and learning. You’ll need digital tools, software, platforms, and resources to improve educational outcomes. Examples of EdTech include:
- learning management systems (LMS)
- virtual classrooms
- educational apps
When the Overlap Happens
.edu websites can play a role in the broader EdTech ecosystem but don’t inherently fall under the category of EdTech. Here’s why:
- Technology Integration: A lot of .edu websites incorporate EdTech tools, like LMS platforms (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas) or online libraries, to deliver education. In this way, .edu sites act as a bridge to EdTech.
- Resource Hosting: Educational institutions often host EdTech content. It can be research papers on technology in education or links to third-party EdTech tools. This makes .edu a supporting platform for EdTech innovation.
- Development and Research: Many universities and colleges are at the forefront of developing and researching EdTech solutions. For example, a university’s computer science department may create an innovative AI-driven learning tool.
When .edu is Not EdTech
.edu websites that solely provide institutional information, admissions details, or non-tech-based educational resources do not qualify as EdTech. Their purpose is academic and administrative, not technological.
Understanding the Bangladeshi Market
Did you know that Google handles almost 8.5 billion searches in a day? Search engine algorithms rely on specific signals to rank content. It could be relevant keywords, user engagement metrics, or the credibility of a website.
For instance, Google’s E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authority, Trustworthiness) guidelines are particularly critical in the EdTech industry. Because, since you are dealing with educational causes, users will demand reliable and authoritative information.
Bangladeshi businesses view SEO as a powerful tool to level the playing field and compete globally. With a sprinkle of strategic keywords and a dash of optimization, they can transform their websites into bustling hubs of traffic.
Internet facilities were still limited during the early 2000s in Bangladesh. So, nobody was aware of SEO apart from some select few agencies or IT professionals. But we saw a massive shift in content marketing, more specifically, branding, from 2010 onwards, which is referred to as the “growth stage.”
In Bangladesh, small and midsize enterprises (SMEs) dominate the business scene. For this reason, SEO has become the go-to solution at affordable prices. It gives these companies a chance to shine online, standing shoulder to shoulder with the sharks, without paying for pricey ads.
How Can Your EdTech Website Employ SEO?
SEO is essential for increasing visibility and driving traffic to your EdTech website. It helps you reach the right audience. By incorporating specific strategies, your site can rank higher. Here’s how:
On-Page SEO
On-page SEO is all about making adjustments to your website. It is the best SEO strategy out there because you can manipulate your website however you can.
For example, if you offer online courses in coding, optimize your course page by including relevant keywords like “best coding courses for beginners” in your title tag, meta description, and headers.
Optimize URLs
Include your primary keyword in the URL whenever possible. Your URLs should be clean, concise, and descriptive.
- Bad URL: www.edtechplatform.com/p?id=12345
- Good URL: www.edtechplatform.com/online-coding-courses
Internal Links
Link to other relevant pages within your website to guide users and help search engines crawl your site.
- In a blog post about “Top LMS Tools,” link to your page offering LMS solutions.
- Use text that is descriptive and includes keywords, like “explore our LMS tools.”
Use Header Tags Strategically
Header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) organize your content and form a hierarchy. This hierarchical structure improves readability.
Use a single H1 tag for the main title of your page, and break down the content with H2 and H3 tags for subtopics. For instance:
- H1: “Best Online Coding Courses for Beginners”
- H2: “Why Learn Coding Online?”
- H3: “Benefits of Python for Beginners”
Focus on Page Load Speed
A slow website frustrates users and hurts your rankings. Improve load times by:
- Using a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
- Minimizing code (CSS, JavaScript).
- Reducing the number of HTTP requests.
- Regularly testing your site with Google PageSpeed Insights.
Add CTAs
Guide your visitors with clear, compelling CTAs. For example:
- “Sign Up for Free Coding Classes Today!”
- “Download Our Guide to Choosing the Best LMS.”
Off-Page SEO
Off-page SEO is about building your website’s authority and reputation outside of your site. For an EdTech platform, this might mean getting backlinks from respected educational institutions or influencers in the tech and education space.
You could collaborate with a well-known educator who writes a guest blog post on your platform or be featured in an article on a site like EdTech Magazine.
High-Quality Backlinks
Backlinks are the cornerstone of off-page SEO. They signal to search engines that other websites trust your content. However, always choose quality over quantity.
- Partner with Educational Institutions: Collaborate with universities or schools to get backlinks from their websites.
- Guest Blogging: Write insightful articles for reputable education or technology blogs.
- Citations from Research Papers: If your platform features unique research or case studies, submit it to journals or industry publications.
Use Social Media
Social media and off-page SEO go hand in hand, especially for EdTech companies in Bangladesh. They are a major traffic source.
Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn are widely used platforms in Bangladesh. A strong online presence can lead to more brand mentions across the web, even without backlinks. Search engines recognize and reward brands with consistent, positive mentions.
With all that in mind, you should be actively leveraging platforms like:
1. Facebook
Facebook is the most widely used social media platform in Bangladesh. It serves as a central space for personal and professional connections.
Join Facebook groups, share your ideas in these communities, and link to your platform where appropriate. And listen, be cautious not to spam.
2. YouTube
YouTube has become a leading platform for educational content, entertainment, and DIY tutorials in Bangladesh. Video-based content is very engaging, and EdTech companies have a large following here.
3. LinkedIn
As the premier professional networking platform, LinkedIn is growing rapidly in Bangladesh. This is especially true for career-related discussions, industry news, and B2B marketing. LinkedIn will help you find all the top business leaders, educators, and professionals in various sectors.
4. Instagram
Instagram is popular among the younger demographic in Bangladesh. It’s ideal for visual storytelling, influencer marketing, brand awareness, and reaching young audiences.
Get Listed in Directories
Online directories and review sites are essential for building your website’s credibility and driving traffic.
- Educational Directories: List your platform in directories like EdTech Hub or Future Startup. These sites cater specifically to the Bangladeshi EdTech niche.
- Google My Business: If your platform serves a specific region, get it listed on Google My Business with accurate details to improve visibility in local searches.
Local SEO Strategies
Local SEO focuses on optimizing your EdTech website to rank well in search results for specific locations. It’s really useful if your platform caters to regional institutions, local educators, or students who prefer services in their area.
Google My Business Profile
Google My Business helps your EdTech business appear in Google Maps results and local search results.
- Claim and Verify Your Profile: If you haven’t already, claim your GMB listing and verify it to manage the information displayed.
- Provide Accurate Information: Make sure the address, phone number, website, and business hours are accurate. If you’re an online-only platform, specify this and focus on your primary service region.
- Add Photos and Videos: Include images of your team, offices (if applicable), or students using your platform.
- Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied users or clients to leave positive reviews on your GMB profile. Respond to reviews without much delay to show engagement.
Create Locally Relevant Content
Tailor your blog and resources to address the specific needs of your local audience.
- Address Regional Challenges: Write about topics like “Overcoming Education Challenges in Rural Bangladesh” or “How Online Learning is Transforming Dhaka’s Schools.”
- Highlight Success Stories: Share case studies or testimonials from students, schools, or institutions in specific regions.
- Offer Localized Resources: Provide downloadable guides, templates, or tools specifically for your target region. For instance, “A Free Guide to Preparing for SSC Exams in Sylhet.”
Use Structured Data Markup
Structured data helps search engines understand your website’s content better. For local SEO, use schema markup to provide detailed information about your business.
- Location Schema: Include your address, phone number, and operating hours.
- Event Schema: If you’re hosting a local webinar or workshop, use event schema to highlight dates, times, and registration links in search results.
Leveraging Bengali Content
If your EdTech platform caters to Bengali-speaking users, it’s important to create content in Bengali. Not only does this help you connect with a larger local audience, but it can also give you an edge in local search rankings.
For example, you could translate popular articles or course descriptions into Bengali. This makes sure the translation is accurate and culturally relevant. If your site offers a course like “Web Development for Beginners,” create a Bengali version of the course page and optimize it with keywords like “ওয়েব ডেভেলপমেন্ট কোর্স।” This will help you attract more Bengali learners and improve your visibility in local search results.
Clean Your Website Regularly
Keeping your website in top shape is crucial for better rankings and a great user experience. A regular SEO audit helps you spot problems and fine-tune your platform to attract more visitors. Here’s how to do it:
Check the Technical Stuff
Make sure your website is running smoothly behind the scenes:
- Use tools like Google Search Console to catch broken links or pages that aren’t getting indexed.
- Test your site on mobile devices with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure it looks great and works well.
- Speed things up by compressing images, enabling caching, and cutting unnecessary code.
Refresh Your Content
Your content should always feel fresh and useful.
- Update outdated blog posts.
- Eliminate duplicate content. Use tools like Copyscape.
- Sprinkle in relevant keywords, like “best online math tutors in Bangladesh,” so search engines know what your pages are about.
- Pay attention to engagement. Find out what’s making people leave your site. Learn proper digital marketing and produce content that catches the attention of the visitors within the first few seconds.
End Note
Breaking into Bangladesh’s competitive EdTech market might seem challenging, but with the right SEO strategies, it’s an easy game.
By creating localized content, optimizing for mobile users, and staying ahead of the latest SEO trends, your platform can reach new heights.
This blog tried to touch on every important aspect of EdTech SEO. But if you are still confused, we can help. At Algomindz, we specialize in helping EdTech businesses like yours grow online. Reach out today, and let’s build an SEO strategy that works for you!
FAQs
How important is technical SEO for EdTech platforms?
Technical SEO is important to make sure your platform is crawlable. It helps search engines index your courses and resources while improving user experience. An improved user experience keeps the users around for longer.
How does EdTech SEO differ from traditional SEO?
EdTech SEO focuses on educational keywords, content like course pages and video tutorials, and localized strategies. It also targets diverse audiences, such as students and professionals, requiring a tailored approach compared to general SEO practices.
