Choosing a Swiss digital agency: scope, team and contract

A digital agency can work on a website, business platform, automation or marketing. These needs require different skills and responsibilities. Define the problem and compare proposals over the same scope rather than follow “best agency” lists without a method.

1. Describe the need before the solution

Record users, tasks and observed difficulties. Should the website explain an offer better? Should an internal tool reduce duplicate entry? Should a campaign attract more relevant enquiries? Separate objectives from assumed features.

Specify existing systems, required languages, available content and constraints. An agency should explain recommendations, uncertainties and missing information before estimating.

2. Examine the work and the team

Request documented projects relevant to your need and the agency’s exact role. A portfolio visual does not demonstrate commercial results. Check deliverables and how decisions, difficulties and maintenance were handled.

Identify proposed people for design, development, data and marketing. Ask what is subcontracted, who coordinates and who responds after launch. Agency size alone does not determine suitability.

3. Compare readable proposals

Each offer should state scope, deliverables, assumptions, exclusions and approvals. Compare effort required from your team: writing, data, availability and testing. A lower price may cover less work or defer costs until after launch.

For important uncertainty, paid scoping or prototyping can help. Define its outcome and continuation terms. This does not guarantee project success, but lets you observe collaboration before a larger commitment.

4. Clarify rights and access

The contract should explain rights to designs and code, third-party components, licences and delivered files. Do not assume everything can be exclusively assigned: some components remain licensed. Swiss IPI copyright resources help explain distinctions.

Specify account control, delegated access and end-of-engagement procedures. Check exports, documentation and transition costs. For personal data, assign responsibilities and assess suppliers and applicable rules.

5. Account for operational costs

Add licences, hosting, support, updates and enhancements to initial cost. Distinguish incident response, resolution and restoration; these commitments are not interchangeable. Ask about coverage hours and limits.

Connect indicators to needs. A qualified enquiry, completed task or order differs from a visit. Avoid guaranteed sales or ranking promises.

A 2027 selection example

Fictional example: an SME compares two agencies for a CRM-connected B2B portal. It provides the same order journey, fictional sample data and errors to handle. Each proposal specifies responsibilities, costs and rights. The team also compares an export demonstration. The process reports no client outcome.

For 2027, plan internal availability and dependencies before setting a date. Continue with our website project stages guide.