How to be successful with a website in Germany

As a German having lived and developed websites for businesses in both countries, I have a fair understanding of the requirements of both markets and cultures.

Here are some points (of many) to consider when you want to launch a website in Germany

DOMAIN WWW.YOURCOMPANY.DE

  • You do not need a physical business address but an authorised address in Germany to receive official documents on your behalf.

  • There were 17,160,504 .de domains at the end of 2021 (sorry - no more recent numbers available).

There are a few regulations

  • Comply with German data regulations and privacy laws. A detailed “Impressum” and "Data Policy" are part of every website.

Get to know your customers

  • Study your demographic so you can target them specifically. The median age in Germany is 44.9 years (2023), which might influence your plans.

Get your message across

  • Be tactful to choose the appropriate language style that resonates with your audience, and be more formal. Do not hold back with information, people like the opportunity to learn about your business and study your product/service.

You are under scrutiny

  • Credibility is important; people in Germany want to know that you are an expert in your field. Back up any promise you make with facts, figures and any certification you have.

Germans love New Zealand

  • Utilise New Zealand’s clean green image to set yourself apart from the competition. This applies mainly to the export sectors of dairy products, tourism and organic foods. Don’t forget to mix this with photos of your activities in Germany itself.

Loyalty in return for quality

  • For ongoing Customer Service, make sure you hire a German-speaking team that understands your product or service in detail.

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Consider German/NZ cultural differences when creating a website