SEO goal-setting is a crucial aspect of any digital marketing strategy. It involves defining specific objectives that align with your overall business goals and then implementing strategies to achieve those goals.

When setting SEO goals, it's important to make them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound). Let's take an example:

1. Specific: Increase organic search traffic by 20% in the next six months.
2. Measurable: Use Google Analytics to track the increase in organic search traffic.
3. Attainable: Analyze the current website's performance and identify areas for improvement.
4. Relevant: Increasing organic search traffic aligns with the overall goal of driving more qualified leads.
5. Time-bound: Set a specific timeframe of six months to achieve the goal.

Once the goals are defined, it's important to regularly track and report on the progress. Reporting helps to measure the effectiveness of your SEO efforts and identify areas that need improvement.

Here are some key metrics to consider when reporting on SEO goals:

• Organic search traffic: Monitor the number of visitors coming to your website through organic search.
• Keyword rankings: Track the rankings of your target keywords in search engine results.
• Conversion rate: Measure the percentage of visitors who take the desired action on your website, such as making a purchase or filling out a form.
• Backlink profile: Assess the quality and quantity of backlinks pointing to your website.
• Page load speed: Check the loading time of your web pages, as it can impact user experience and search rankings.

Regular reporting enables you to identify trends, make data-driven decisions, and adjust your SEO strategies accordingly. Tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and third-party SEO platforms can provide valuable insights for reporting.

Remember, SEO is an ongoing process, and goal-setting and reporting should be done regularly to ensure continuous improvement and success.

For more information and references on SEO goal-setting and reporting, you can refer to the following resources:

• Moz's Beginner's Guide to SEO
• Search Engine Land's SEO Guide
• Search Engine Journal's SEO Guide