A German business website should accurately explain who provides the offer, what happens to personal data and under which conditions customers act. For Muslim founders, transparency may be a deliberate part of business. Legal duties, however, depend on the structure, offer, audience and services used.
This article provides general information, not legal advice. Obtain qualified advice for your particular website where necessary.
1. Prepare provider details
German rules can require the legal name, a serviceable address, contact details, representatives, register information, VAT identification and professional details. The statutory starting point is Section 5 of the Digital Services Act (opens in a new tab).
Use accurate details, verify the legal form and registration, do not publish a personal tax number as a VAT ID, and make the legal notice easy to reach. Do not copy another business’s notice.
2. Match privacy information to reality
Forms, analytics, maps, video, newsletters, bookings and payments can process personal information. List what is collected, where it goes, who can access it, how long it is needed and which external services receive it. The German Data Protection Conference (opens in a new tab) publishes guidance from supervisory authorities. Collect only necessary fields.
3. Review cookies and embeds
A banner is not always required and does not itself make a website compliant. What matters is the technology used. German rules are set out in Section 25 TDDDG (opens in a new tab). Optional services should not begin before any required consent; controls and explanations must match actual behaviour.
4. Describe prices and customer steps
Visitors should understand the offer, scope and continuing costs. Clarify additional costs, whether an enquiry is non-binding, and the scope, duration, cancellation and payment dates. Germany’s consumer advice portal (opens in a new tab) provides practical online-trading information.
5. Use the BFSG as a self-check
Germany’s Accessibility Improvement Act has applied since 28 June 2025 to certain products and services, with exemptions. The Federal Government answers common questions (opens in a new tab), and the binding BFSG text (opens in a new tab) is available online.
Ask whether the website serves consumers, enables online purchasing or contracting, and what service is supplied electronically. Seek advice for your circumstances. Clear headings, labelled forms, keyboard access, alternative text and sufficient contrast remain useful regardless of legal scope. This checklist does not certify compliance.
Pre-launch checklist
- Confirm names, addresses and contact details.
- Make legal and privacy pages reachable on every device.
- Describe all forms and external services.
- Prevent optional services loading before required consent.
- Explain prices, duration and next steps.
- Test forms, keyboard use and enlarged text.
Seek advice when concluding contracts online, processing sensitive information, offering regulated services, selling internationally or assessing the BFSG.
Use the Muslim founder guide, website guide, services, pricing and contact page for next steps.
Official sources
- Section 5 DDG (opens in a new tab)
- Section 25 TDDDG (opens in a new tab)
- German Data Protection Conference (opens in a new tab)
- Federal Government BFSG information (opens in a new tab)
- BFSG (opens in a new tab)
Laws and guidance change. Review original sources and obtain advice for your circumstances.