Websites for small business owners: plan, build, cost

Whether you are a tradesperson, hairdresser, photographer or consultant: if you are self-employed, people google you first. A website for a small business does not have to be big or expensive. But it has to answer the right questions, work on a phone and be legally sound. Here is the path from idea to finished business website.

Does a small business even need a website?

A Google Business Profile and an Instagram account are a good start. A homepage of your own does something neither can: it belongs to you, it explains your services calmly and it can be found on Google for your service and your location. For many customers it is also proof that you really exist.

What belongs on a website for the self-employed

• What you offer, in one clear sentence at the top.
• For whom and where: target group, town and service area.
• Your services with a short description, with prices or price ranges if useful.
• Real photos of you and your work.
• Contact: a phone number to tap, email, contact form and WhatsApp if you like.
• Legal notice and privacy policy, reachable from every page.

For most small businesses a well made one-pager is enough. Several subpages pay off as soon as you have different services that should be found on Google individually.

Free website for small businesses: the catch

Free plans from the big website builders sound tempting. However, they usually show the provider's advertising and run under a sub-address of the builder instead of your own domain. That looks less professional, and you build your visibility on an address you do not own. A free website in Germany also needs a complete legal notice and a fitting privacy policy. For a first test that is fine, as a permanent business website less so.

Build it yourself or have it built?

Building it yourself saves money but costs time: texts, photos, design, technology, legal texts, search engine optimisation and later updates. If you enjoy tinkering, a website builder is a fine start. If you would rather spend your time on your business, have the website built and only take care of the content. Either way, make sure the domain and logins are in your name.

What does a website for a small business cost?

Overviews from German web agencies put a simple business website at around 800 to 3,000 euros with freelancers and considerably more with agencies (sources: seiten-werk.com/webdesign-preise, werbeagentur-landau.com/webdesign-kosten). On top come domain and hosting, often 10 to 20 euros per year for the domain and 5 to 15 euros per month for hosting.

At DEVOSWEB a one-pager costs 249 euros, a website with up to five pages 499 euros and up to ten pages 999 euros. Hosting is available optionally for 39.99 euros per year.

Small business VAT rules and mandatory information

Even as a small business under § 19 of the German VAT Act you need a legal notice under § 5 DDG: name, an address for service, email and another quick way to get in touch such as a phone number. If you state prices for private customers, they must be total prices (German Price Indication Ordinance). Since you do not charge VAT, your price is the final price. A short note referring to § 19 UStG makes that clear. This is not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a legal notice as a small business?

Yes. In Germany the legal notice requirement applies to every commercial website, regardless of turnover or size.

Can I deduct the website from my taxes?

The costs of a business website are usually business expenses. Your tax advisor can tell you exactly how to book them.

How quickly is a small business website ready?

A one-pager with finished texts and photos is often online in about a week. What usually takes longest is collecting the content.