A Future-Ready TYPO3 Platform for Stadtwerke Bochum

Stadtwerke Bochum is a reliable partner when it comes to energy. It is Bochum's all-round utility provider. In addition to electricity, gas, water, and district heating, its product portfolio also includes telecommunications products with the highest bandwidths thanks to fiber optic technologies and charging stations and wall boxes for electric cars.

As a modern energy company, Stadtwerke Bochum faces the challenge of making a wide range of basic services digitally accessible and presenting them in a user-friendly way. 

The goal was not only to create a central platform for all offerings, but also to optimize the user experience and provide future-proof digital tools. In addition to regional basic services, Stadtwerke Bochum also distributes electricity and gas nationwide via the “gutundgrün.de” brand – also integrated into the existing system. This means that customers throughout Germany benefit from a uniform, efficient platform and a seamless user experience.

unternehmen online GmbH & Co. KG (UO) has been a partner in times of digital change since 1997. Their mission is to accompany customers on their way to their digital future and to successfully help shape it. UO was selected as the agency to help bring Stadtwerke Bochum's vision to life. With a user-friendly project approach, UO implemented would implement this vision by developing a new TYPO3-based website.

As a flexible CMS, TYPO3 offers ideal conditions for implementing the requirements of Stadtwerke Bochum. The modularity of TYPO3 enables the development of specific functions. With TYPO3, the website is not only flexible and powerful, but also optimally tailored to the needs of Stadtwerke Bochum and its customers.

The project focused on creating a seamless, future-ready digital platform for Stadtwerke Bochum that combines technical innovation with a strong customer experience. The work spanned from system integration and process optimization to user engagement and interface design, all centered around TYPO3 as a robust content management foundation.

Enhanced Search Experience with SOLR Integration

UO began by redefining how users find and interact with content. The search bar was given a more prominent position and powered by SOLR technology to deliver faster, more relevant results. This upgrade not only streamlined navigation but also enabled targeted content delivery and contextual advertising, turning the search experience into a key engagement and conversion channel.

Fully Integrated Electricity and Gas Price Calculator

A major milestone of the project was the complete integration of the electricity and gas price calculator into TYPO3. Previously hosted externally, the tool was seamlessly embedded within the website, allowing users to calculate tariffs quickly and intuitively. This integration eliminated the need to switch domains, improved usability, and reinforced brand consistency across the digital platform.

Optimized Lead Management and Sales Processes

To enhance customer acquisition, UO developed an optimized process chain for leads originating from comparison portals such as Verivox and Check24. Incoming requests are automatically pre-checked and transferred into the SAP system for processing. Personalized offers can be generated and sent directly via email, guiding customers through a pre-filled order process for quick and effortless conversions. In addition, a flexible voucher system was implemented to support targeted discount campaigns and strengthen customer retention.

Citizen Participation and Community Projects

Engagement with local citizens was another key objective. A digital participation tool was implemented within the TYPO3 customer area that enables users to propose and vote on community projects. A user-friendly form allows project submissions with media uploads, while an integrated voting system ensures transparency and inclusiveness in the decision-making process, empowering residents to help shape local initiatives.

Dynamic Flex Tariff Tool with Real-Time Market Data

As part of Stadtwerke Bochum’s forward-looking approach, UO developed the Dynamic Flex Tariff Tool — a TYPO3-based application that provides real-time insights into daily electricity prices on the energy market. Data is visualized through interactive charts, allowing customers to monitor and understand price fluctuations directly on the website.

Digital Customer Magazine and Career Platform

The new TYPO3-based digital magazine and career portal enhance communication and brand storytelling. The magazine offers regularly updated insights into regional developments and the energy industry, while the career section allows potential applicants to explore current vacancies and opportunities. Thanks to TYPO3’s flexibility, editorial teams can automatically generate topic-specific article overviews and provide downloadable PDF editions of each magazine issue.

Improved FAQ Section and User Support

An optimized FAQ section with SOLR integration was implemented to address common inquiries about products, tariffs, and billing. This improvement significantly reduces the workload for customer service teams while ensuring users can quickly find accurate information on their own.

Future-Proof Architecture and AI Integration

Built using PHP and Vue.js, the system’s architecture ensures scalability and long-term maintainability. Interfaces were developed for real-time data imports, and AI-based features — including ChatGPT-supported text generation — were integrated directly into TYPO3. Plans for additional AI-driven tools, such as automated image descriptions and intelligent spell-checking, are already underway.

Seamless Connection Between Website and Mobile App

Finally, the new Stadtwerke Bochum app for Android and iOS extends the platform’s reach. It mirrors website content automatically, allowing users to access all services while on the go. Local partner offers are prepared within the app and synchronized with the TYPO3 website — creating a unified digital ecosystem and a consistent user experience across all devices.

Through the innovative use of TYPO3, unternehmen online has created a forward-looking platform for Stadtwerke Bochum. The seamless integration of tools such as the price calculator and dynamic flex tariffs, as well as the optimized user experience, make the new website a central service hub for customers.

As Stadtwerke Bochum’s ongoing technical partner, UO continues to maintain and enhance the platform, ensuring that it remains adaptable to emerging digital trends and technologies.

TYPO3 offers the flexibility, scalability, and security that organizations need to manage complex digital experiences with ease. But the real success comes from partnering with the right TYPO3 agency — one that understands your goals and can bring your project to life.

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