If you want a website built, you usually have two questions: how does the process work, and what should I watch out for so the result actually brings in enquiries? On this page I explain both the way I do in a first call. No jargon, but with the details that make the difference later.
Who a custom website makes sense for
I build websites for trades, medical practices, law firms, restaurants, service providers and small to mid-sized companies. What they usually have in common: the current site is dated, works poorly on phones or barely shows up on Google. Some have no website at all and rely on referrals and a Google profile. That works for a while, but if you want to reach new customers in Karlsruhe and the surrounding area, you need a site that loads fast, says clearly what you offer and makes it easy to get in touch.
A website isn't an end in itself. It should do a job: generate enquiries, fill appointments, bring in applications or answer questions before the phone rings. We clarify that job first, because it shapes the structure, the copy and the scope.
How it works when I build your website
- 01
First call
30 minutes, free, in person in Karlsruhe or on video. You tell me what your business does and what the website should achieve. I ask questions and tell you honestly what makes sense and what doesn't.
- 02
Fixed-price offer
You then get a written offer with a clear scope and a fixed price. What's in it gets built. Anything that isn't, we discuss before it costs money.
- 03
Structure and design
I plan the page structure and design a draft you can open in the browser, not just look at as an image. So you see early on how it feels on phone and desktop.
- 04
Build and content
I build the site and add your text and images. If you need help with copy, I'll support you with wording and structure.
- 05
Review and launch
You check everything at your own pace on a preview address. Only after your sign-off does the site go live on your domain, including redirects from old addresses.
What drives the effort
I deliberately don't quote flat prices here, because two websites are rarely the same. The effort mainly depends on:
- Number and type of pages: a compact site with five sections is different from one with many service pages.
- Multiple languages, for example German and English or Turkish.
- Features such as appointment booking, forms with file upload, a jobs page, a blog or a small shop.
- Whether copy and photos exist or still have to be created.
- Connections to existing systems, like a booking tool or a CRM.
- How much you want to edit yourself later and whether that needs a content management system.
We go through these points in the first call. Afterwards you know what to expect and get the fixed price in writing.
Custom build, site builder or WordPress?
Site builders like Wix or Jimdo are quick to set up and sometimes perfectly fine to start with. Their limits show in loading speed, design and search engines, and your site stays tied to the provider. WordPress is more flexible and very widespread, but it needs regular updates to its core and plugins, otherwise it becomes a security risk. Many older WordPress sites I see are slow because plugins have piled up over the years.
I usually build websites with Next.js. It's a modern tool that generates pages ahead of time and serves them very quickly. For you that means short loading times even on phones, a smaller attack surface because there's no plugin collection to maintain, and a good foundation for Google. If you want to edit content yourself, I connect a lean content management system. If WordPress is the better choice for your case, I'll tell you that too.
Legal points: imprint, GDPR and accessibility
A website in Germany needs a complete imprint (Impressum) and a privacy policy that matches the site. I build sites to collect as little data as possible: fonts are served locally instead of loaded from Google, maps and videos load only after consent, and a cookie banner is only needed if you actually use tracking. The legal texts themselves should come from a generator or your lawyer; I can't replace legal advice.
Since June 2025 the German Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) applies. It mainly covers online shops and services consumers can sign up for online, and micro-businesses are partly exempt. Regardless, I build sites with a clean structure, sufficient contrast, alt text and keyboard navigation. That helps people with disabilities and, as a side effect, your visibility on Google.
Domain, code and access belong to you
Your domain is registered in your name, not mine. You get the source code, and all access to hosting and the content system is documented. If you ever want to continue with someone else, you can do so without detours. I consider this a given, but I often see the opposite when businesses switch to me.
After launch
A website isn't finished once it's live. Content changes: opening hours, services, staff. If you like, I offer maintenance and take care of technical updates, backups and small changes. You can just as well maintain the site yourself. After launch we check together that the site is indexed by Google and that your Google Business Profile is linked correctly.
Getting a website built in Karlsruhe and the region
I'm based in Karlsruhe and enjoy working with businesses from the city and the surrounding area, whether in Durlach, Ettlingen or Bruchsal. We can hold the first call at your place or on video, whichever suits you. For local searches like “electrician Karlsruhe” or “physiotherapy Ettlingen” I make sure your site shows location, service and contact details clearly and consistently, because that's exactly what Google evaluates for local results. Throughout, you have one point of contact: me.