A cold metal transfer welding process is defined by the cyclic alternation of an arc phase and a short-circuit phase. During the arc phase, a welding rod is displaced towards the workpiece until it makes contact with the workpiece and during the short-circuit phase the welding rod displacement is reversed and the welding rod is then moved away from the workpiece. The welding current and/or the welding voltage are controlled during the arc phase in such a way that the welding rod melts, forming a droplet and that during the short-circuit phase a breaking of the short-circuit is suppressed using the welding current. A welding installation for carrying out the welding method achieves optimal welding results using the smallest possible number of settings by setting a displacement frequency of the welding rod as a welding parameter using a control organ.