How Much Does a Website Cost in Switzerland in 2026? A Complete Guide for Small Businesses
16 min read
If you run a small business in Switzerland and you’ve started asking around about getting a website built, you’ve probably noticed something frustrating: nobody gives you a straight answer. Quotes range from a few hundred francs to well over CHF 50,000, and it’s hard to tell whether you’re getting a bargain or being overcharged.
The truth is that website pricing in Switzerland varies enormously depending on what you need, who builds it, and how custom the result is. This guide breaks it all down with real numbers, so you can walk into any conversation with a freelancer or agency knowing exactly what to expect.
Key Takeaways
- A simple showcase website in Switzerland typically costs between CHF 1,500 and CHF 6,000 when built by a freelancer, or CHF 8,000 to CHF 20,000+ through a mid-to-large agency.
- DIY platforms like Squarespace or Wix cost CHF 200–600 per year but require your time and deliver limited results for professional use.
- E-commerce sites range from CHF 3,000 to CHF 15,000 for standard setups, and can exceed CHF 30,000 for complex custom stores.
- Swiss web professionals charge between CHF 80 and CHF 250 per hour, depending on experience, location, and specialization.
- Don’t forget ongoing costs: hosting, maintenance, domain renewal, and security updates typically add CHF 300–1,500 per year.
What Are the Different Ways to Get a Website Built in Switzerland?
Before diving into specific prices, it helps to understand the four main approaches available to Swiss businesses. Each comes with distinct trade-offs between cost, quality, and the amount of your own time required.
The DIY Route: Website Builders (CHF 200–600/year)
Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.com allow anyone to build a website without writing code. You pick a template, add your content, and publish. Annual costs typically fall between CHF 200 and CHF 600, depending on the plan and any premium features you add.
This approach works well for a personal blog or a very early-stage project where budget is the primary constraint. However, for a Swiss business that needs to project credibility — say a fiduciary in Zurich, a restaurant in Lausanne, or a consulting firm in Geneva — template-based sites often fall short. They tend to look generic, perform poorly in local search results, and offer limited flexibility as your business grows. You also need to invest significant time learning the platform and creating content yourself.
Hiring a Freelancer (CHF 1,500–10,000+)
Working with a freelance web designer or developer is the most popular choice for Swiss small businesses, and for good reason. Freelancers offer a personal, direct relationship, faster turnaround than most agencies, and significantly lower overhead costs.
In Switzerland, freelance web developers typically charge between CHF 80 and CHF 150 per hour. A complete showcase website project usually falls between CHF 2,000 and CHF 6,000, though more complex builds with custom functionality can reach CHF 10,000 or more. The wide range reflects differences in experience, the complexity of your requirements, and whether you provide your own content and images.
The key advantage of freelancers is cost efficiency. You’re paying for one skilled person’s time, not an agency’s project managers, account executives, and office rent. The trade-off is that freelancers have limited capacity — if your project requires branding, copywriting, photography, SEO strategy, and development all at once, you may need to coordinate multiple people yourself.
Small Agencies and Studios (CHF 3,000–15,000)
Small agencies — typically teams of two to ten people — represent a sweet spot for many Swiss SMEs. They offer more structure and a broader skill set than a solo freelancer, without the steep overhead of a large agency.
A typical showcase website from a small Swiss agency starts around CHF 3,000 to CHF 5,000 and can reach CHF 10,000 to CHF 15,000 for more involved projects with custom design, multilingual content, or integrated functionality. These agencies often combine design, development, and basic SEO under one roof, which simplifies your experience as a client.
Increasingly, smaller studios are adopting transparent, package-based pricing — for instance, some Swiss studios like Tedbin advertise showcase sites from CHF 1,900 and e-commerce from CHF 2,900, which can make budgeting much more predictable compared to open-ended hourly billing.
Large Agencies (CHF 15,000–100,000+)
Large digital agencies in cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel charge between CHF 150 and CHF 250 per hour, and project totals frequently start at CHF 15,000 for a straightforward corporate site. Complex builds with custom applications, advanced integrations, or enterprise CMS platforms can easily reach CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000 or more.
This level of investment makes sense for established companies with complex requirements: multi-language platforms, deep CRM integrations, custom web applications, or sites that need to handle high traffic volumes. For a small business, however, this price bracket is rarely justified.
How Much Does Each Type of Website Cost in Switzerland?
The type of site you need is the single biggest factor in determining the price. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on publicly available pricing from Swiss freelancers and agencies.
| Website Type | Freelancer | Small Agency | Large Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-page site | CHF 500–2,000 | CHF 1,500–3,000 | CHF 3,000–8,000 |
| Showcase site (5–10 pages) | CHF 2,000–6,000 | CHF 3,000–10,000 | CHF 10,000–25,000 |
| E-commerce (basic) | CHF 3,000–8,000 | CHF 5,000–15,000 | CHF 15,000–40,000 |
| E-commerce (custom/advanced) | CHF 8,000–20,000 | CHF 15,000–30,000 | CHF 30,000–80,000+ |
| Web application / platform | CHF 10,000–30,000 | CHF 20,000–50,000 | CHF 50,000–150,000+ |
Based on publicly available pricing from Swiss agencies and freelancers, cross-referenced across multiple sources. Prices reflect 2025–2026 market conditions.
These ranges are broad because every project is different. A five-page showcase site for a plumber in Bern with provided text and stock photos will cost far less than a five-page site for a luxury watch brand in Geneva with custom photography, animations, and three language versions.
What Factors Influence the Cost of a Website?
Understanding what drives the price up (or down) helps you make informed decisions about where to invest and where to save.
Number of Pages and Content Complexity
More pages means more design work, more development time, and more content to create or integrate. A single landing page can be built in a day or two, while a 20-page corporate site with unique layouts for each section might take several weeks.
Custom Design vs. Template-Based
A fully custom design — where a designer creates layouts, typography choices, and visual elements specifically for your brand — costs significantly more than adapting a pre-built template. Custom design typically adds CHF 2,000 to CHF 8,000 to a project. However, many businesses find that a well-chosen template, customized with their branding, is more than sufficient.
Multilingual Requirements
Switzerland’s multilingual reality means many businesses need their site in two, three, or even four languages. Each additional language version doesn’t double the cost, but it does add meaningful work: translating content, adapting layouts for different text lengths, and configuring language switching. Expect an additional 30–60% of the base cost for each language version, depending on how much content is involved.
E-Commerce Features
Adding online selling capability introduces payment gateway integration, product catalog management, inventory systems, shipping calculations, and security requirements. Even a basic e-commerce setup adds considerable complexity compared to a purely informational site.
SEO and Content Creation
Some providers include basic on-page SEO in their pricing; others treat it as an add-on. Similarly, if you need a professional to write your website copy, create graphics, or produce photography, these are additional costs that can range from CHF 500 to CHF 5,000 or more depending on the scope.
Integrations and Special Features
Connecting your website to a CRM, booking system, newsletter platform, or other third-party tools adds development time. Features like contact forms are usually straightforward, but complex integrations with ERP systems or custom APIs can significantly increase the budget.
What Are the Ongoing Costs of Maintaining a Website in Switzerland?
The initial build cost is only part of the picture. Every website has recurring expenses that you should budget for from the start.
Domain Name: CHF 10–30 per Year
Your domain name (e.g., yourbusiness.ch) needs to be renewed annually. A .ch domain typically costs CHF 10–15 per year, while .com domains are slightly more. This is a trivial cost but an essential one — letting your domain lapse can cause serious problems.
Hosting: CHF 100–500 per Year
Hosting is where your website’s files live and are served to visitors. Swiss hosting providers charge between CHF 100 and CHF 500 per year for shared or managed hosting suitable for small business websites. If you need a dedicated server or cloud hosting for high-traffic sites, costs can be significantly higher.
SSL Certificate: CHF 0–100 per Year
An SSL certificate (the padlock icon in the browser) encrypts data between your visitors and your site. Many hosting providers now include free SSL via Let’s Encrypt. If you need an extended validation certificate for e-commerce, expect CHF 50–100 per year.
Maintenance and Updates: CHF 500–2,000 per Year
Websites built on platforms like WordPress need regular updates to their core software, plugins, and themes. Even static sites require occasional content updates, security monitoring, and compatibility checks as browsers evolve. Many freelancers and agencies offer maintenance packages — an investment that’s far cheaper than dealing with a hacked or broken website.
Marketing and SEO: Variable
A website that nobody visits isn’t worth much. Budget for ongoing SEO work, content creation, or paid advertising if organic growth is a priority. Monthly retainers for SEO services in Switzerland typically start around CHF 500–1,500 per month.
| Ongoing Cost | Annual Range (CHF) |
|---|---|
| Domain name | 10–30 |
| Hosting | 100–500 |
| SSL certificate | 0–100 |
| Maintenance & updates | 500–2,000 |
| Total (without marketing) | 610–2,630 |
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Business
The best approach depends on where your business is and what you’re trying to achieve. Here’s a realistic framework.
If you’re just starting out and budget is very tight, a DIY platform can get you online for minimal cost. But be honest about your time — if building a site takes you 40 hours and you value your time at CHF 100 per hour, that “free” website actually cost you CHF 4,000 in opportunity cost.
If you’re an established small business — a restaurant, a consulting practice, a trades business, a local shop — a freelancer or small agency is almost certainly your best bet. You’ll get a professional, custom-feeling result for CHF 2,000 to CHF 6,000 that projects credibility and performs well in local search results.
If you need e-commerce, the complexity and ongoing management requirements usually justify working with an experienced studio or agency. Package-based pricing, like Tedbin’s e-commerce offering from CHF 2,900 or similar studios’ fixed-rate packages, can help you control costs while getting a proven, tested solution.
If you’re a larger company with complex technical requirements, significant traffic, or need for deep integrations, a mid-to-large agency with a proven track record is worth the premium. Just make sure you’re paying for genuine complexity, not inflated overhead.
What Does a Freelancer Charge for a Website in Switzerland?
Swiss freelance web developers and designers typically charge between CHF 80 and CHF 200 per hour, depending on their experience and location. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
| Experience Level | Hourly Rate (CHF) |
|---|---|
| Junior (1–3 years) | 60–100 |
| Mid-level (3–7 years) | 90–150 |
| Senior / Specialist (7+ years) | 140–250+ |
For a complete website project, most freelancers quote a fixed price rather than billing hourly. This is generally better for both parties — you know the total cost upfront, and the freelancer is incentivized to work efficiently. Fixed project quotes for a showcase site typically range from CHF 2,000 to CHF 6,000, which translates to roughly 20–60 hours of work depending on the professional’s rate and the project’s complexity.
When evaluating freelancer quotes, look beyond the price tag. Ask about what’s included: Will they handle responsive design for mobile? Is basic SEO setup included? Do they provide a round of revisions? Who handles hosting setup? A cheaper quote that excludes these essentials might end up costing more in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a simple website cost in Switzerland?
A simple one-page or landing page website in Switzerland costs between CHF 500 and CHF 3,000, depending on whether you use a freelancer or a small agency. A more typical small business website with 5 to 10 pages costs between CHF 2,000 and CHF 10,000. DIY website builders start at around CHF 200 per year, but require significant time investment and typically deliver less professional results.
What is the average cost of a website in Switzerland?
Based on pricing data from Swiss freelancers and agencies, the average cost of a professionally built small business website in Switzerland falls between CHF 3,000 and CHF 6,000. This typically covers a showcase site of 5 to 10 pages with responsive design, basic SEO setup, and contact functionality. Simpler needs can be met for less, while e-commerce or multilingual requirements push the price higher.
How much does an e-commerce website cost in Switzerland?
A basic e-commerce website in Switzerland — with a product catalog, secure checkout, and standard payment integration — typically costs between CHF 3,000 and CHF 15,000. Advanced custom e-commerce solutions with features like inventory management, ERP integration, or a large multi-category catalog can cost CHF 20,000 to CHF 80,000 or more through a large agency.
Is it cheaper to hire a freelancer or an agency in Switzerland?
Freelancers are typically 40–60% less expensive than agencies for comparable work. A freelancer might charge CHF 3,000 for a showcase site that an agency would price at CHF 7,000–10,000. However, agencies offer broader capabilities: project management, multiple specialists, and more reliable availability for urgent changes. The right choice depends on the complexity of your project and how much coordination you’re willing to do yourself.
What are the hidden costs of a website?
The most commonly overlooked costs are annual hosting (CHF 100–500), domain renewal (CHF 10–30), SSL certificates, ongoing maintenance and security updates (CHF 500–2,000 per year), and content updates. Many business owners also underestimate the cost of creating good content — professional copywriting and photography can add CHF 1,000–5,000 to the initial project.
How long does it take to build a website in Switzerland?
A simple showcase website typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from kickoff to launch. E-commerce sites require 4 to 8 weeks. Complex custom platforms can take 3 to 6 months or more. These timelines assume the client provides content and feedback promptly — delays on the client side are the most common reason projects take longer than expected.
Data context: The price ranges in this article are based on publicly available pricing from Swiss web agencies and freelancers, cross-referenced across multiple industry sources and market surveys from 2025–2026. Individual quotes may vary based on specific project requirements, location within Switzerland, and market conditions.