Open Access

Search engines such as Google are an important information platform for international society. By actively applying Search Engine Optimization (SEO), website operators can influence their positioning in search engines and thus increase the visibility of their website. This thesis deals with search engine optimization in the context of digital marketing. The result of this work is the structural development of a search engine optimization strategy for international websites. This strategy is not limited to specific markets or industries, but its validity is tested by applying it to the practice-oriented case study of the Spanish website of sevDesk. First of all, an overview of the search engine as a digital channel First of all, an overview is given and its functionality and significance for digital marketing is explained. The needs of search engine users are identified by analyzing the characteristics of search queries and search intentions and then classified according to the AIDA formula into different phases of the modelled purchasing process. In addition to the analysis of the search engine users, a closer look is taken at the specific ranking algorithm of the search engine Google, a second important component of search engine optimization. Various studies are compared in order to work out influencing factors of the ranking algorithm. These are explained in more detail in the context of the disciplines of search engine optimization. The next step is a closer look at the international context and technical and cultural peculiarities of the optimization of international websites. In the following, strategic process flows from the existing technical literature are considered and extended to the international market under appreciation and critical consideration of the literature search. The developed strategy will be implemented using the case study of a Spanish website. The data will be collected and first results will be presented and evaluated.