Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers about pricing, scope, domains, maintenance and collaboration - clearly explained for website development and technical assurance.
Pricing and Contract Model
What does the website cost?
The professional Starter foundation starts at EUR 599 as a one-time fee. VAT may apply depending on the client's location and tax status. Additional pages, languages, forms, media and functionality can be added to suit the required project scope.
What does the maintenance include and what does it cost?
Managed hosting and ongoing support start at EUR 59 per month. VAT may apply depending on the client's location and tax status. The support scope is aligned with the technical and editorial development of the website.
How is ongoing support billed?
Ongoing support is billed in advance for 12-month periods. Details about the term and continuation are available on the "Website pricing & options" page.
Services and Scope
What does the Starter foundation include?
Development from scratch including industry-fit, responsive design, clean structure, clear contact paths for website visitors by phone and email, an optional messenger link (e.g. WhatsApp, Threema), and technical checks before launch. Clear content, stable metadata and technical signals help search engines and AI search and answer systems interpret services, audiences and contact information more easily. How external systems reproduce that information cannot be guaranteed. Ongoing SEO support and deliberate ranking growth are separate, individually bookable services. Included are the homepage and up to 4 content subpages in compact format. Imprint and privacy policy are always included and do not count towards the subpage quota. "Compact format" means: each subpage has a clear purpose and typical scope for small businesses.
Is a contact form included?
The Starter includes clear contact options by phone and email. A contact form, additional languages and further functionality can be added to suit the project. For the contact form: Server-side input validation, spam protection (honeypot, rate limit), delivery via secure SMTP connection through your business mailbox. The incoming message lands directly in your mailbox; the sender automatically receives an acknowledgement email from the same mailbox. No message content stored on our systems, no file uploads. The initial contact via the form is usually sufficient; the subsequent exchange continues directly by email between you and the sender.
How flexible is the page scope?
The website scope is set out in writing before the project starts, so the price is fixed. If additional subpages, content sections or larger extensions are wanted later, they are a separate engagement quoted transparently upfront and carried out only after your approval.
Is the website also built bilingually or in additional languages?
Yes. Additional languages can be added to suit the project - individually or together with other extensions such as a contact form, extra pages or visual enhancements. Content updates across languages are kept in sync in ongoing support when multilingual content is part of the project.
All-Inclusive Concept and Scope
Who is Velvionix the right choice for?
Velvionix works with businesses, self-employed professionals and freelancers commissioning a website for commercial or professional use. For clients in Germany, this means acting as an entrepreneur within the meaning of section 14 of the German Civil Code (BGB).
Why custom development instead of WordPress or a website builder?
Custom-built websites don't carry the plugin and theme dependencies that regularly cause security gaps and update conflicts on website-builder and CMS platforms, and often add extra load time. The result: leaner code, faster load times and a website that technically fits the business exactly, instead of being adapted to a template system. This approach is also why Velvionix exclusively offers new builds and does not provide maintenance for existing WordPress, CMS or website-builder sites.
Legal questions and coordination with third parties
Legal advice is not provided. For legal questions and the review of your specific website, consulting a specialized law firm is recommended. Likewise, no coordination or clarification is conducted on behalf of the client with third-party providers. The scope of services covers website development and the embedding of external tools via widget, iFrame, embed code or stable link, once the respective provider offers such an integration. The contract and data processing run directly between the customer and the provider. Support and implementation begin only after the contract is signed and after confirming that the desired scope fits within the offered service framework.
How do you handle online shops and payment features?
Velvionix does not build custom shop systems with shopping cart and online payment processing - specialized platforms cover that work. We can embed such systems as separately commissioned extensions via widget, iFrame or button link; the contract and payment processing run directly between you and the provider. When online payment is not required, lean request, pre-order or reservation forms can be scoped separately: the input is sent by email directly to your mailbox, and permanent storage on our systems is not intended. Payment and fulfilment happen outside the website - for example on pickup on site.
Are sensitive personal data stored on your systems?
We do not store health data or comparable special categories of personal data under Art. 9 GDPR on our systems. Invoice or customer-account histories are also not stored permanently with us. Forms forward entries via a secure SMTP connection directly to your business mailbox; all further processing takes place in your own infrastructure or in certified specialist systems. For complex specialist applications such as appointment, practice or administration software, we do not configure the specialist software itself - instead, we cleanly embed suitable systems via widget, iFrame or link.
Does Velvionix guarantee specific Google rankings or search results?
Reputable providers cannot promise specific Google positions, and that applies to us too. The Starter foundation lays the technical foundation with clean structure, fast loading times and technical signals for search engines and AI systems. Ongoing organic visibility work - structure, content, service area and trust signals - is a separate, ongoing service and is offered separately if needed.
Content and Responsibility
Are the texts written?
The customer contributes business knowledge, services, goals and approvals, but does not need finished website copy. Velvionix develops a clear page structure from that input and turns existing notes or copy into more understandable website content. Extensive new specialist content, legal assessments, medical statements or full editorial support are not included in the Starter foundation and are scoped separately.
Can content from an existing website be taken over?
Yes, if the content is still factually accurate. It can be taken over by agreement - existing text, images or service descriptions are often reorganized, shortened or rewritten more clearly in the process so they work better on the new website. Prerequisite: The customer has the rights to texts and images.
Domain, Email and Tools
Who owns the domain and email?
Domain and email stay with the customer, who is and remains the owner. At go-live, we coordinate the necessary DNS values with you and accompany the changes at your provider via screen sharing on request. If you don't yet have a professional email address, we help with selection, setup and basic configuration on your devices. A full email migration, provider change or mailbox migration, however, are not included in this service scope.
Who pays for external tools like appointment booking or newsletter?
External services are booked and paid by the customer directly with the respective software or SaaS provider. Velvionix does not resell these services and does not take over ongoing contracts with third-party providers. If the provider offers an official widget, iFrame, embed code or stable link, the website embedding can be prepared separately based on effort and prior agreement.
Privacy and Security
Is the new website privacy-conscious?
The website is set up technically so that privacy requirements can be implemented cleanly - including secure configuration and data minimization within the scope of hosting and implemented features. Legal texts and consent content (e.g. consent dialog and privacy policy) are provided by the customer or their legal advisor. External services such as appointment booking, newsletters, review widgets or specialist software are booked by the customer directly with the respective provider; data protection assessment, approval and responsibility remain with the customer. Velvionix embeds such services only if an official widget, iFrame, embed code or stable link is available.
Where is the website hosted?
Operations and hosting run through an EU region (Frankfurt, Germany) on professional infrastructure. Details about hosting, sub-processors and data processing are regulated transparently in the contract.
Collaboration and Process
How does the collaboration work?
We work remotely with companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We also take on English-language projects for companies in other European Union countries. We prefer to hold meetings by video conference with screen sharing, alternatively by phone or email. This allows us to discuss design, structure, results and agreed technical questions together on screen. We use BigBlueButton - a privacy-focused meeting platform hosted in Europe. You only need a modern browser; no app or plugin installation is required. You will receive a personal invitation link before the appointment. You receive interim updates and provide feedback in short, clearly defined feedback cycles.
How does the initial call work?
In the free initial call, the customer's business is learned about and requirements are clarified. Discussed are page scope, desired features or integrations and ongoing maintenance. Based on this, a transparent offer is created. The customer receives a concrete timeline and all information for an informed decision.
How does a website project run through to go-live?
Five steps lead to go-live: (1) Clarify - Clarify goals, scope, existing content, audiences and contact paths. (2) Plan - Prepare page structure, content and visual direction. (3) Build - Build the website individually, optimize for mobile and align via preview. (4) Check - Check presentation, links, contact paths and baseline quality. (5) Launch & care - Connect the domain, publish the website and provide ongoing care.
Is there a dedicated contact person?
Yes. Throughout the entire collaboration, there is a dedicated contact person who knows the project and the customer's business - for website development as well as for technical assurance. Instead of ticket systems and anonymous support teams, you get direct, personal communication with someone who knows your project.
What happens to the website when the care service ends?
The customer receives the finished website for independent continued use and can host it themselves going forward. The internal tools and workflows Velvionix used to build the website remain with Velvionix.
The following questions cover technical assurance with Playwright test automation - an additional service for complex websites, portals and web applications that goes beyond the Starter scope. Full details are on our technical assurance page.
Technical assurance with Playwright
What is technical assurance with Playwright?
We develop automated checks for websites, portals and web applications via the user interface and integrate them into your CI/CD. The goal is release security: critical flows are checked automatically on a regular basis, instead of being manually retested with every update.
Are tests run in the production system?
By default, no. Automation runs against stage/QA/UAT. Production is excluded unless explicitly agreed in writing.
What is needed for tests to run stably?
Working stage access, stable test accounts, and reliable test data that can be provided or reset reliably (reset mechanism). Additionally, WAF/rate limits/anti-bot must be configured so automation is not blocked.
Are special test selectors required?
Yes. Stable, unique selectors (e.g. data-testid) are mandatory. Without these, we pause and request improvement.
What's included in the standard scope?
Automated checks of the web application under test via the browser user interface. External systems (e.g. payment, SSO, email) are only included as separately commissioned add-on modules and exclusively with sandbox or test access.
Is mobile testing supported?
Browsers and viewports are agreed according to the critical user flows and documented in the proposal. The scope can use agreed desktop or mobile Playwright viewports; real devices and emulators are not included.
In which repository does the CI run?
In the client's repository, with GitHub Actions as the CI platform. Execution runs automatically in the client's repo, and the report is provided as an artifact. As part of an optional maintenance contract, we additionally support secrets rotation on request if access is granted.
What reports are included?
Standard is the Playwright HTML report. In GitHub Actions it's provided as an artifact. Additional integrations (e.g. JUnit, Allure, test management) only by commission.
What does "flaky" mean and how is it handled?
"Flaky" means: a test randomly switches between pass and fail even though the system is unchanged. The cause is cleanly documented and attributed: a test issue, or environment/test data/rate limits/WAF.
Acceptance, Billing and Maintenance
How does acceptance work?
Acceptance is carried out modularly according to the agreed check scope. For demonstrably incorrect or incomplete checks, two correction loops per module are included. Automated checks are implemented as focused flows - no monolithic flows that cover multiple areas in a single test and create long run times.
How is billing handled?
Billing is modular according to agreed test scope, exclusive of VAT. VAT may apply depending on the client's location and tax status. Each module is described before implementation with scope, acceptance criteria and a fixed price. After completion, the module is made available for acceptance. After acceptance, we issue the invoice for the completed module. Further modules begin only after the previous invoice has been paid, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Change requests are offered separately before implementation and only carried out after approval.
Is there ongoing maintenance for the tests?
Yes - optional but clearly recommended. Depending on the agreement, maintenance includes monthly Playwright and dependency updates (including required adjustments to restore functionality within the agreed scope), maintenance and adjustment of CI workflows (for example job adjustments, reports and artifacts, support for secrets rotation and required checks if access is available), and a response within 48 hours on business days for analysis and feedback with a plan for jointly classified critical CI or test failures. Infrastructure, VPN access and setup or operation of self-hosted runners are not included and are provided by the customer's DevOps team. New test cases or new areas must be commissioned separately.
Process & Collaboration for Technical Assurance
How does the initial call for technical assurance work?
In the technical initial call, the objectives, critical user flows (priority 1) and the technical baseline are clarified. This includes in particular stage/QA/UAT, stable test accounts, reliable test data, a reset mechanism and WAF/rate limits. Subsequently, an initial module (test scope) is defined and a transparent offer including acceptance criteria and timeline is created.
What modules does implementing technical assurance consist of?
Implementation is structured in modules: M1 Access and Feasibility - We check the test environment, repository access, test accounts, test data, selectors and technical dependencies. This establishes which flows can be automated reliably before a larger commission. M2 Representative Pilot Flows - A small selection of typical flows is implemented as a technical pilot. This validates the architecture, access and interaction with the application under real project conditions. M3 Agreed Scope - Critical user flows, priorities, browsers and viewports, test data strategy and acceptance criteria are agreed together and documented clearly in the proposal. M4 Architecture and Implementation - We develop the agreed Playwright flows with stable assertions, a maintainable TypeScript structure, clear documentation and the appropriate desktop or mobile viewports. M5 CI and Reporting - The automated checks are integrated into the existing CI as agreed. Reports, traces and screenshots make results and causes of failures easier to understand. M6 Handover and Support - In a remote session, we explain the project structure, local and automated execution, and troubleshooting basics. Further maintenance can be agreed separately. Everything outside the agreed module sheet is offered transparently as a change request before implementation.