About SmartStart-Web

SmartStart-Web is a personal, independent web project. It aims to make high-quality websites easier to find – without ads, tracking scripts or opaque ranking algorithms.

What SmartStart-Web Is

SmartStart-Web is a structured catalogue of carefully selected websites. Entries are grouped into clear categories, with short descriptions and simple filters instead of complex “AI recommendations” or hidden scoring rules. SmartStart-Web attempts to become a directory for the Internet that shows where reliable, high-quality information can be found.

The goal is not to list everything, but to provide a solid, reliable starting selection in each topic area.
My ambition: "If it's listed in SmartStart-Web, it is relevant and works".

Why I Built SmartStart-Web

Over time I became increasingly frustrated with modern web search. I did not want to be steered by commercial interests, promoted content and explanations I never asked for. I wanted a calm, transparent way to discover useful sites.

SmartStart-Web grew out of this frustration: a curated starting point for the web, focused on clarity instead of distraction.

How SmartStart-Web Is Run

SmartStart-Web is a private, non-commercial initiative. There are no sponsored links, no paid placements and no external advertising networks. Websites are added, updated or removed manually based on quality and relevance. SmartStart-Web is free - no throttling, no gotchas, no strings attached.

The catalogue will gradually evolve. There is no fixed publishing schedule and no obligation to cover “everything” in a category.

Access & Pricing

Currently, SmartStart-Web is free - no log-in, no throttling, no gotchas, no strings attached.

Eventually, I might want to recover at least the costs of my web space. Then I might offer a login for a special content section. But at the moment, I have no plans for that.

Who Is Behind This Project

SmartStart-Web is maintained by Gerhard K. Heilig.

You can reach me by email at gerhard.heilig@gmail.com.

For full legal information, please see the Imprint (Impressum) and Legal & Privacy (DSGVO) pages.

SmartStart-Web will change and grow over time. The overall goal remains simple: provide a quiet, trustworthy starting point for exploring the web.