German Skilled Trades 2026: How to Win New Customers Now
The ZDH economic report from May 2026 shows order backlogs in the trades shrinking and capacity use down to 75%. Four concrete steps to win new customers and secure your cash flow.
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42 articlesE-Commerce Trends 2026: AI Joins the Purchase – DHL Report
The DHL E-Commerce Trends Report 2026 (2 June), based on 29,000 respondents, shows: AI moves from tool to co-decider, convenience becomes mandatory, second-hand goes mainstream. What small sellers can do now.
HDE Online Monitor 2026: Where Your Customers Buy Now
The new HDE Online Monitor 2026 (3 June) maps German e-commerce: marketplaces at a 56.7% share, +4.3% growth, older buyers on the rise, 35% research with AI. The key takeaways for small sellers.
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EU €3 Customs Duty from July 2026: What Sellers Must Know
The EU abolishes the €150 duty-free threshold: from 1 July 2026 every low-cost parcel from China pays a €3 flat duty. What this means for competing with Temu & Co. – and what sellers with import supply chains should check now.
Online Store Systems Compared 2026: Which One Fits You?
Marketplace, hosted shop or self-hosted? This comparison sorts the main online store systems for 2026 by effort, required know-how and real costs – incl. cost examples and a decision guide.
eBay Payment Terms from July 2026: What Changes for Sellers
From 8 July 2026, new payment terms apply to existing eBay sellers. What changes for holds, reserves and payouts – with a practical example and checklist.
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment: 20% Off from 25 June 2026
From 25 June 2026, Amazon offers up to 20% off Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) shipping fees. What the programme really means for small online sellers – with an example, cost check and honest assessment.
Google AI Mode 2026: What the Self-Employed Need to Do Now
Google rolled out the biggest search update in 25 years on 19 May 2026. AI Mode and the new search box are available in Germany — what it means for the visibility of tradespeople, online merchants and service providers.
EU AI Labeling Rules from August 2026: What Really Applies
From 2 August 2026, AI content must be labeled — but not all of it. What the European Commission clarified on 8 May 2026, and what self-employed people and small businesses really need to do for chatbots and AI imagery.
Google Reviews 2026: These Practices Are Now Banned
In April 2026, Google tightened the rules for Business Profile reviews. What is now banned, what is still allowed — and how to keep collecting honest reviews.
Instagram Instants 2026: What the New Photo App Means for Solopreneurs
Meta launched Instagram Instants on 13 May 2026 — an ephemeral photo feature with its own companion app. What does it actually bring to solopreneurs and small businesses? An honest take with examples.
Google May 2026 Core Update: What Small Businesses Should Do Now
Google has been rolling out the May 2026 Core Update since 21 May. Who is affected, what to do this week, and which measures actually help in the medium term — with an Etsy example.
Amazon VAT Calculation Switching to Shipment Level on 1 June 2026
From 1 June 2026, Amazon switches VAT calculation from unit to shipment level. What sellers should check in the final days — with a practical example and checklist.
Amazon Prime Day 2026 in June: Last-Minute Plan for Sellers
Amazon has moved Prime Day 2026 to June — Germany included. What German sellers can still prepare in the remaining weeks, with deadlines, checklist and a practical example.
Germany's Cancellation Button: What Online Shops Must Do by 19 June 2026
From 19 June 2026 all German B2C online shops must offer a standardised cancellation button under the new § 356a BGB. Here is what changes, what fines you face and how to prepare.
BAFA Consulting Grant 2026: Up to 80 % Subsidy in Germany
Germany's BAFA consulting grant ends in December 2026. Up to 80 % subsidy for external business consulting — who can apply, what's funded, and the mistake that voids the grant.
WhatsApp Business 2026 for Tradespeople and Service Providers
WhatsApp Business channels customer enquiries for small businesses. Setup in 15 minutes, new 2026 Premium features, and data-protection tips — with a painting-business example.
Etsy Listings 2026: New Title Rules and AI Tool for Sellers
In April 2026 Etsy rewrote its guidance for listing titles: shorter, clearer, less keyword stuffing. Here's what sellers should change today — with a practical before-and-after example and notes on the new AI title tool.
GPSR 2026: How Etsy and eBay Sellers Can Avoid Listing Suspensions
Since February 2026 the GPSR is fully in force in Germany. Here's how Etsy, eBay and Amazon sellers add the mandatory product information to listings — and avoid suspensions and fines.
German Statutory Health Insurance 2026 for Self-Employed: What the Increase Costs
Contribution assessment ceiling, additional contribution and long-term care insurance all rise in 2026 — up to around 1,000 € more per year. What German self-employed need to know about the new GKV values, with a calculation example and three concrete levers.
Google Local Services Ads 2026: New Jobs for Tradespeople
With Google Local Services Ads, you only pay for actual leads. Here's how the 2026 ad format works for tradespeople and local service providers — with practical steps and a cost check.
KOMPASS 2026: €4,500 Training Subsidy for Solo Entrepreneurs
Solo entrepreneurs in Germany can get up to €4,500 reimbursed for training through KOMPASS. With the May–October 2026 voucher cap, here is how to apply smartly.
Collecting Customer Reviews in 2026: A Legally Compliant Guide
Customer reviews are a key lever for new customers in 2026 — but only if they are systematically collected and presented transparently. Practical guide with a concrete example, German UWG obligations, and how to handle unjustified reviews.
Selling on eBay in 2026: The Most Important Changes for Commercial Sellers
Higher selling fees from February 2026, expanded authenticity verification and a new international shipping service: what commercial eBay sellers really need to know and check in 2026.
Raising Prices in 2026: How to Communicate Increases Without Losing Customers
Inflation, minimum wage and energy costs make a price increase unavoidable for many self-employed professionals in 2026. Here's how to communicate the change with confidence — with a sample letter and practical example.
Aktivrente 2026 for the Self-Employed: Who Really Benefits
Since 1 January 2026, retirees in Germany can earn 2,000 euros per month tax-free. The self-employed are excluded — here is how you can still benefit as an employer.
ChatGPT for Product Descriptions: A Practical Guide for Online Sellers (2026)
With the right prompts, write product descriptions for Etsy, Amazon and your own shop in minutes. 2026 guide with three templates, GEO hints and a data-protection check.
Dunning 2026 for the self-employed in Germany: how to get paid on time
Late-payment interest 2026, the EUR 40 flat fee, statute of limitations: how self-employed people and small businesses in Germany secure cash flow with structured dunning — with practical examples.
Otto Market 2026: What Online Sellers Need to Know Now
Otto Market grew to 7.5 billion euros in platform turnover in 2025/26. Which requirements you must meet, what small-business sellers should consider and when the marketplace really pays off.
Meta Ads 2026: Why Creatives Now Matter More Than Targeting
With the Andromeda update, Meta goes all-in on AI. What Facebook and Instagram ads mean for small businesses in 2026 — and how to win with 8–12 creatives instead of pro-level targeting.
Cybersecurity 2026: How Self-Employed Pros Protect Their Accounts
AI-generated phishing emails, Signal attacks, hijacked marketplace accounts: How self-employed pros and small businesses can secure their accounts in 2026 with 5 BSI steps.
PPWR from August 2026: What online retailers need to know
From 12 August 2026, new EU packaging rules apply. Domestic-only retailers get partial relief, while cross-border EU shipping brings new duties. Here is how to prepare.
TikTok Shop 2026: New Fees, New Opportunities for German Sellers
TikTok Shop raised commission in Germany from 5% to 9% on 8 January 2026. What the new fees mean, which exceptions apply and when entry still pays off.
Hourly Rate for Tradespeople 2026: How to Calculate It Right
Charge too little per hour as a tradesperson and you work for free. The 2026 practical guide: formula, realistic productive hours, worked example, and current minimum wages.
Amazon fees 2026: Where you save — and where you pay more
Amazon fees 2026 at a glance: which commissions are dropping, what changes for FBA shipping, and why the new 1.5% fuel surcharge can move your margin noticeably.
Google Business Profile for tradespeople: How new customers will find you in 2026
If you want to attract new customers locally as a painter, electrician or hairdresser, you need a well-maintained Google Business Profile. This practical guide shows setup, reviews and the new 2026 functions.
Investment booster 2026: 30% declining balance depreciation for companies
With the Investment Booster 2026, self-employed persons can depreciate up to 30% using the declining balance method - e-vehicles at 75% in the first year. Practical guide to IAB and special depreciation.
E-invoicing obligation 2027 and 2028: What the self-employed and small businesses need to do now
E-invoicing obligation in practice: Obligation to receive since 2025, obligation to send from 2027/2028, permanent exceptions for low-value invoices, B2C and tickets - with a clear practical checklist for the self-employed and small businesses.
Small business regulation 2026: The underestimated pitfalls in practice
What the standard guides to the small business regulation 2026 often leave out: the hard €100,000 limit in practice, reverse charge when purchasing from other EU countries, the obligation to receive e-invoices and adding up several activities.
Cloud invoicing software in the PepperTools Office Cloud: Easy Invoice is live
Cloud invoicing software with budget billing, dunning, multilingual receipts in 9 languages, PayPal and bank import, Android app, S3 archiving with DMS - and complete data transfer from Easy Invoice Desktop. Hosting in Germany, GDPR-compliant.
Invoice template free of charge: Download, instructions & tips for 2026
Looking for a free invoice template? Here you will find everything you need to know about mandatory information, formats (Word, Excel, PDF) and why professional invoice software is the better choice.
Writing an invoice: The ultimate guide
Learn how to write a legally compliant invoice. With mandatory information, examples and tips for the self-employed and entrepreneurs.