Creation website SME: budget and features

Creating a website for SMEs: budget and features

A website is essential for SMEs in Switzerland. It is an open showcase for your clients all the time, it makes your presence stronger here, and it shows that you are good compared to others. However, creating a strong website requires managing your money well and choosing key components.

Key points:

1. Estimated cost according to the type of site:
   • Simple site (1 page): CHF 500 to CHF 3,000
   • Small site (1-10 pages): CHF 900 to CHF 6,400
   • Complete site (+20 pages): CHF 7,500 to CHF 25,000
   • Bespoke platform: CHF 30,000 to CHF 70,000
2. Initial and ongoing expenses:
   • Creation: Style, build, content (CHF 1,000 to CHF 6,000 for a standard site).
   • Maintenance: Hosting, security, regular updates.
3. What is special in Switzerland:
   • Compliance with local laws (protecting information, legal details).
   • Multiple languages (French, German, English).
   • Hosting locally for added security and reliability.
4. Key features to have:
   • Mobile-friendly site.
   • Easy navigation and available in multiple languages.
   • Strong security (SSL certificate, backup to protect).

Useful advice: Collaborate with an agency that knows a lot about the Swiss market, for example, in Geneva, for a site tailored to your needs and compliant with local regulations. Start with what is most essential and improve your site gradually.

Website Design: 10 things to KNOW BEFORE launching! ✅

How to set a budget for SME websites in Switzerland

We have seen why a website is key to looking serious here. Now, let's talk about money. For an SME in Switzerland, you need to carefully consider costs as they can vary greatly depending on what you want.

In Switzerland, hourly rates range from CHF 120 to CHF 250, with an average price of CHF 166 ^[1]. These costs reflect the quality of work and the high standards of the local market.

Cost according to the type of site

The cost varies greatly depending on the type of site you want. Here are the typical prices:

• One-page site: From CHF 500 to CHF 3,000, average CHF 1,200 ^[1]. Suitable for SMEs looking to be online with basic information.
• Small business site (1 to 10 pages): From CHF 900 to CHF 6,400, average CHF 3,100 ^[1]. Good for showcasing your services and allowing clients to contact you.
• Larger site for SMEs (over 20 pages): From CHF 7,500 to CHF 25,000, average CHF 12,000 ^[1]. This site has a unique design and special features.
• Bespoke web platform: From CHF 30,000 to CHF 70,000, average CHF 50,000 ^[1]. For SMEs with more complex and specific needs.

Initial and ongoing costs: what to expect

When budgeting, it is crucial to distinguish between initial costs and ongoing costs.

• Initial costs: These costs are for creating the site, including design, development, content creation, and testing. If you opt for a WordPress design with a template, prices start at CHF 60 if you do it yourself. For a more tailored design, prices range from CHF 1,000 to CHF 6,000. A completely unique design starts at CHF 7,500 ^[1].
• Ongoing costs: These costs are for keeping your site running smoothly over time. This includes hosting, domain name, security updates, maintenance, and tasks like SEO. These expenses are essential for keeping your site performing well and secure.

Underestimating these costs can lead to a poorly maintained site losing its position on Google and facing security issues.

Specifics of the Swiss market

The market here has special characteristics that directly impact the costs of creating and maintaining a website.

• Compliance with laws: Websites here must adhere to Swiss regulations on private information. They must also display legal information clearly and be easily accessible to all. These regulations can increase the cost of website creation.
• Multiple languages: In Switzerland, a multilingual site (French, German, English) is often very useful. This incurs additional costs for translating content into multiple languages.
• Local support: Agencies in Switzerland have a good understanding of the local market. They offer specialized support. This service, although costly, can be a good investment.

With 42.7% of websites worldwide using WordPress in 2024, this platform is a good option for Swiss SMEs. It helps reduce the cost of creation while allowing for future site modifications as needed.

What is needed for SME websites in Switzerland

Once you have set a budget, you need to consider key elements for your site. For an SME in Switzerland, certain features are crucial to maximize impact and achieve goals.

Assistance in French and English

In Switzerland, having only one language on your site can limit your growth. Even if your SME is mainly in a French-speaking area, like Geneva, not offering English could cut you off from a global clientele.

A bilingual site expands your audience and solidifies your position in the global market. However, this requires precise technical implementation. For example, choose a simple URL structure, like monsite.ch/fr/ and monsite.ch/en/, and ensure that menus are user-friendly in each language.

Yes, a bilingual site may cost more initially. But this effort is quickly repaid by access to more people. Additionally, your site must perform well everywhere, whether on a computer or a phone.

Mobile design and adaptability

In Switzerland, a significant amount of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Therefore, your site must work well for this type of usage. Mobile design goes beyond resizing elements on the screen. It ensures easy navigation, clear text, useful forms, and touchscreen-friendly buttons.

Another key aspect is your site's ability to evolve. As your SME grows, your needs change. A good site can adapt to these changes without a complete overhaul. This requires a flexible technical architecture, ready for new features or sections in the future.

Secure hosting and data compliance

Secure hosting is a must. In Switzerland, data protection laws impose strict rules. Your site must protect user data and demonstrate compliance with these rules.

To achieve this, obtain an SSL certificate, back up data regularly, and update as necessary. Also, protect against online attacks.

Compliance with data regulations goes beyond a cookie notice. Your site must clearly inform visitors about the data collected, its use, and their rights, such as the right to delete or access this information. Use proper forms and transparent policies.

Finally, choosing hosting in Switzerland has its advantages. Your data remains under Swiss jurisdiction, ensuring a high level of security and performance. It may cost a bit more, but the peace of mind it provides is worth the price.

These three aspects - speaking more than one language, a good mobile design, and security - are the foundation of a good website for an SME in Switzerland. Without these, even a beautiful site may fail to achieve your goals.

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Why choose EWM SA for your online SME

Once you know what you want and how much you can pay, it is vital to choose a partner who can make your dreams come true. For a top website for your SME, you need real expertise.

Fair options for Swiss SMEs

Since 2011, EWM SA in Geneva has been offering options tailored to you. The agency uses modern tools like Symfony, Laravel, Next.js, and WordPress. These tools are flexible and grow with your SME's needs.

Whether you need a simple site to showcase your services or a comprehensive site for selling, EWM SA tailors each project to your goals. This personalized approach ensures that your site outperforms the competition while doing exactly what you want.

Moreover, EWM SA integrates with your existing systems, such as CRMs or management programs. This technical expertise prevents compatibility issues, which can be costly to fix later on.

A team that speaks two languages and knows the Swiss market well

Choosing an agency in Geneva like EWM SA is a real advantage. The bilingual team adjusts your content to local customs while adhering to Swiss regulations.

With their knowledge of the French and English markets, they make your message stronger to attract and engage visitors. This local expertise translates into clear and genuine results.

Extensive experience with SMEs

For over 10 years, EWM SA has been assisting SMEs in all sectors. This experience enables them to understand the unique challenges of Swiss SMEs well.

The agency has worked with local SMEs, NGOs, tech companies, and even luxury brands. This diversity enriches their knowledge and benefits each project.

Websites created by EWM SA are not just beautiful: they are designed to deliver real results. This includes better visibility online, increased sales, and ease of daily management.

With offices in Geneva, Zurich, Paris, London, and Nice, EWM SA has a local presence as well as international reach, while maintaining the Swiss quality and attention that make all the difference.

Simple tips for an affordable SME website

Creating a professional website without overspending is possible. The key? A well-thought-out plan and precise choices. Here's how to maximize your money while setting up an effective site from the start.

Focus on the essentials

It's easy to want to include everything right away, but starting with the essentials is often better. Identify three to five essential elements that serve your clients and your goals.

For example:

• For a service-based SME: a clear contact form, a brief overview of your services, and prominently displayed client testimonials.
• For a retail business: a simple product catalog, a secure shopping cart, and a reliable payment method.

This approach helps you launch your site quickly and see real effects. Once the basics are validated, you can gradually add more features according to your needs.

The goal? Choosing to avoid unnecessary expenses and surprises.

Better collaboration with your web agency

The success of your project depends on clear communication with your agency. Here are some tips to be more efficient:

• Prepare your content: organize texts, images, logos, and branding guidelines in a dedicated folder.
• Establish a clear timeline: set specific milestones with checkpoints for review and correction.
• Be clear about what you want: instead of saying "a modern design," explain your needs, for example: "a simple style with soft colors to convey professionalism." This clarity avoids misunderstandings and endless revisions.

Lastly, designate a point person in your company to liaise with the agency. This person will consolidate decisions and streamline project management. A good start will help you create a site ready to grow with your SME.

Prepare your site to grow

An affordable website should not be limiting. From the start, think about a structure that can grow with you. This will save you from starting over later on.

• Choose a CMS that can evolve: for example, WordPress is robust and flexible, perfect for easily adding pages, products, or features.
• Budget for hosting and maintenance: reliable hosting and regular maintenance keep your site in top shape.
• Consider future changes: if you plan to add an online store later, ensure your site can accommodate it without a complete overhaul.

Lastly, keep your content fresh for a good image and better search engine rankings. Thinking ahead will help you make the most of every euro in your website.

Key points for a good website for your SME in Switzerland

Here are key ideas drawn from what we have seen before to ensure your website performs well.

Set a realistic budget. Consider a base amount for site creation and a recurring cost to keep it online and in good condition. With your budget ready, focus on what matters most.

Focus on the essentials. Your site must be bilingual, work on all screens, and comply with local regulations. These points are vital to effectively reach your Swiss clients and beyond.

Work with an agency. EWM SA, for example, has a deep understanding of the local market and a global vision. Their bilingual team creates solutions that meet SME needs with innovative tools.

Take things step by step. Start with the basics, test how it goes, then gradually