Zoe is a digital marketer at a graphic design agency, and she's been tasked this quarter with improving the firm's SEO. However, the only guidance she has received from her boss is to get the site to rank higher on Google. In order for Zoe to create a successful SEO strategy for the business, what should her first step be?

The first step is to set a SMART goal and define KPIs to measure success, ensuring that SEO efforts are focused and measurable. Clear objectives guide subsequent actions, including audits, content planning, and technical optimizations. Without defined goals, it is difficult to assess whether changes lead to meaningful improvements in search visibility, traffic, or engagement.