Why? Germans want to know who they are dealing with, specifics about the company, and how to get in touch with them should they want or need to.
(Yes, Germans like to be prepared.)
It is a legal requirement on all websites ending in .de, and it is highly recommended on any website targeting Germany with a different domain structure like .com/de.
If operating in a regulated industry like pharmaceuticals or finance, it could be seen as a red flag not to have one, even if your site targeting Germany does not end in .de. and the same is valid for Swiss and Austrian sites.
The impressum is normally linked to in the footer next to T&Cs and other legal pages. The content is fairly short and should include:
- The company name and legal designation (if applicable)
- Address of the main headquarters
- Phone number
- Email address
- Website homepage
- Registry court (if applicable)
- Register number (if applicable)
- First and last name of an authorized representative(s) of the company
- VAT identification number (if applicable)Some websites also include a fax number and the customer service opening hours. It makes the company look more transparent, approachable and honest.
If you are expanding into Germany, remember to include your impressum in your site’s footer.