You don't want to build your website yourself, you want to have it created. Good decision, because your time is better spent in your own business. The question that leaves many people hesitant remains: How does it work, how much does it cost and how long does it take? Here are the honest answers, without agency speak.
What you should prepare
Having a website built doesn't mean you do nothing. But it's less than most people think. If you have these four things ready, you will make the start easy for yourself and the provider:
- Goal of the website. Should inquiries come in, should it create trust, or do you sell directly? One sentence is enough.
- Content. Your texts or keywords, plus a logo and a few images, if available. Good providers will formulate the texts for you.
- Examples you like. Two or three websites whose style you like. This saves a whole round of feedback.
- Desired domain. If you already have one, the provider will take care of it.
Nothing more is needed at the beginning. The provider takes care of the design, structure, technology and the basics for Google.
The process, step by step
With a modern, done-for-you provider, creation takes place in clear steps, without weeks of workshops:
- 1. Briefing. In around 15 minutes you will clarify the goal, style and scope. A short form or a conversation is often enough.
- 2. Draft. You will see an initial proposal, often after about 72 hours, rather than after weeks of radio silence.
- 3. Feedback. They say what fits and what doesn't. The provider adjusts until it fits.
- 4. Go live. Domain, hosting and security are set up and the site goes online.
- 5. Care. Any later changes, such as new opening times or a team photo, just report them and they will be incorporated.
The big difference to the classic agency is the speed. Instead of six to sixteen weeks, you can often be online in a week.
What it costs
Here the models differ significantly. An agency usually requires CHF 5,000 to 15,000 one-off, due before anything is online, plus ongoing costs for hosting and maintenance. A builder is cheap, but then you create the site yourself.
The third way is the subscription model, also called website-as-a-service: no setup fees, but a monthly price from CHF 59, which already includes design, copy, hosting, maintenance and changes. So you have the website created and maintained without a large initial investment. We break down which route is worth it in the article Website costs in Switzerland.
Agency, freelancer or subscription: who should do it?
Three types of providers will create a website for you, with clear differences:
- Agency. Lots of experience and big projects, but expensive and slow. Useful for very individual projects with a budget.
- Freelancer. Often cheaper and flexible, but the quality varies greatly and in the event of a failure you are left without a contact person. Care is rarely regulated in a fixed manner.
- Subscription provider (Website-as-a-Service). Creation and ongoing support from a single source, without setup fees. Ideal if you want a reliable, all-round, worry-free package instead of a one-off handover.
For a typical Swiss SME without a technical team, the question is rarely "who builds the most beautiful", but rather "who will take care of it afterwards". This is exactly where the subscription model scores points.
What you should pay attention to when choosing
No matter who you choose, these questions will protect you from trouble later:
- What happens after we go live? Are hosting, maintenance and changes regulated or is every little thing added to the bill?
- Who owns the domain? It should always be in your name.
- How quickly is there an answer? A dedicated Swiss contact person is worth more than an anonymous ticket system.
- Is there a safety net? A draft or design guarantee takes away the risk if the first direction doesn't work.
Conclusion
Having a website created is now quicker and cheaper than many people think. You provide a short briefing and your content, the provider does the rest. If you want to start without a high initial investment and don't want to worry about technology and maintenance, the done-for-you subscription is the most direct route online for most SMEs.