Finding a web designer feels overwhelming. Everyone claims to be an expert, prices range from €300 to €30,000, and you have no idea who to trust.
Here's what I've learned after building dozens of websites for small businesses in Stuttgart and beyond.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
1. They lead with templates, not strategy
If the first thing a designer shows you is a template gallery, run. A template isn't a strategy. Your website needs to reflect your business, your customers, and your goals — not whatever was trendy in 2022.
Ask: "How do you approach a new project?" A good designer asks about your customers before they ever open Figma.
2. They can't explain what happens after launch
A website isn't a one-time purchase. You need to update it, maintain it, and occasionally fix things. If a designer can't explain your CMS options, hosting setup, or update process — that's a problem.
3. No clear ownership transfer
Some agencies keep your domain, hosting, or codebase under their control. Make sure you get:
- Domain ownership in your name
- Hosting credentials
- Full access to your codebase or CMS
4. They ghost you after launch
Ask for references. Specifically ask: "What happened 3 months after launch?" Bad agencies disappear. Good ones still pick up the phone.
What a Good Web Designer Actually Delivers
A professional web presence for a small business should include:
- A fast-loading, mobile-first design — Google penalizes slow sites
- Clear calls to action — What do you want visitors to do? Book? Call? Buy?
- Local SEO basics — Google Business Profile, structured data, local keywords
- A CMS you can actually use — You shouldn't need a developer to change your opening hours
- Analytics setup — You need to know if the site is working
Questions to Ask Before Signing
- Can I see examples of sites you've built for businesses like mine?
- Who owns the domain and hosting after launch?
- What CMS will I use — and can you train me on it?
- What does support look like after launch?
- How long does the project take, and what delays that?
On Pricing
For a professional small business website in Germany, expect:
- Basic brochure site (3-5 pages): €1,500–€3,500
- Service business with booking: €3,000–€6,000
- E-commerce shop: €4,000–€10,000+
Anything below €1,500 is almost always either a template with minimal customization or offshore work that won't survive a Google update.
Anything above €15,000 for a standard small business site is almost certainly oversized for your needs.
A Note on Local Designers
There's real value in working with someone local. They know your market, speak your language with customers in mind, and you can meet them for coffee when something needs sorting.
I run acessio, a web design studio in Stuttgart. We specialize in service businesses — coaches, clinics, studios, consultants — who need a website that actually books appointments and converts visitors.
If you're in the Stuttgart area and want a straight conversation about what your site actually needs (no sales pitch), I'm happy to meet for an Espresso on the Königstraße.
Building websites for small businesses since 2024. Based in Stuttgart.
Top comments (0)