What You Should Know Before Starting a Business in Berlin

Berlin - the city where currywurst stalls bustle alongside blockchain start-ups and vintage fashion is sold next to 3D printing studios. If you want to start a small business here, you need two things above all: a good idea - and strong nerves. Because the Berlin market is colorful, fast and sometimes a little chaotic. But that's exactly what makes it exciting. The capital is a playground for creative entrepreneurs. Whether handmade soaps, a sustainable delivery service or an art gallery with a café - almost anything gets a stage here, as long as it is original. But how do you actually get started in Berlin?

It all starts with an appearance - especially online

Before the first product is sold or the first service is offered, the big thing is to make your presence felt online. Because as much as Berlin is known for walk-in customers, anyone starting a business today is first searched for online. People google before they come.

And that's exactly why it's worth setting up your own website right from the start. It doesn't have to be huge or complicated - but it does have to be professional. First impressions also count digitally. Providers such as one.com offer simple website construction kits that allow you to create your website super quickly - including domain, email and hosting. Ideal for founders who would rather work on their own concept than learn HTML.

A good website shows what it's about, what makes the offer special - and why it's worth visiting or booking. Especially in Berlin, where new projects are created every day, clear communication is crucial.

The Berlin bureaucracy bossfight

Admittedly: The bureaucratic process is notorious in Berlin. If you want to register a business, you should get an appointment at the citizens' office early on. Or better yet, several. And: forms are often only available in German, sometimes in an old-fashioned official style. But don't worry - with a little patience, a coffee in your hand and the right checklist, you'll be fine.

As a rule, you will need a valid identity card, an address (which is not always a given in Berlin), a precise description of the activity and - depending on the sector - other permits. If in doubt, start-up advice, such as that offered by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or local start-up hubs, can help.

If you start as a part-time business, you often have less paperwork. And if you opt for a small business, you can get started without having to pay VAT. This makes it easier to get started - especially when the budget is still tight.

Find customers, keep customers

Nothing works in Berlin without a story. If you want to stand out here, you have to be able to tell a good story. Whether on social media, via flyers in cafés or with guerrilla marketing - the main thing is to be authentic. Even better: with a smart online presence that enables appointments, orders or inquiries to be made directly via the website.

Reliable hosting ensures that everything runs smoothly - even if an influencer suddenly mentions the small store on TikTok and thousands of clicks follow. Providers such as one.com offer powerful packages that guarantee security, loading speed and flexibility. This allows the company to remain confident even when all hell breaks loose digitally.

Community is everything

Berlin loves neighborhood projects, personal stories and sustainable ideas. Those who network well - with other founders, neighbors or local initiatives - quickly gain sympathy. It's worth going to events, organizing pop-ups or showing your presence at the weekly market. The Berlin scene is open, but honest: if you can deliver, you will be recommended. Those who bluff are quickly exposed.

A well-maintained website also helps here: with up-to-date information, real pictures and small insights into everyday life. Because in Berlin, you want to know who you are supporting - not just what is being sold.

The bottom line? Setting up in Berlin? Absolutely.

The capital is not an easy market - but one full of opportunities. If you start a small business here, you will encounter creative competition, curious customers and plenty of support if you know where to look. With a well thought-out concept, a convincing online presence and stable hosting as a technical basis, nothing stands in the way of the dream of your own business. Berlin may be chaotic - but that's exactly why so much is possible here.