What an online shop costs
With us, a professionally built online shop starts from CHF 6,500. That covers a manageable product range with payment, shipping and a clean design. With many products, variants, several languages or integrations with inventory management and POS, the effort rises roughly into the range of CHF 10,000 to 30,000 or more.
On top of that come running costs: platform or hosting fees, payment provider fees per transaction, licences for extensions and maintenance. Work through these items before you start so that your margin adds up.
The effort after launch is often underestimated. A shop doesn’t sell by itself; it needs visitors. So plan budget and time for search engine optimisation, advertising, newsletters or social media. A lean shop with good marketing usually sells more than an elaborate shop that nobody finds.
Choosing the right platform
The platform determines how flexible your shop is and how much it costs to run. There is no single best solution for everyone, only one that suits your product range and your processes.
- Shopify: hosted, quick to launch, monthly subscription, many apps
- WooCommerce: on WordPress, very flexible, hosting and updates are your own responsibility
- Shopware: strong for larger product ranges and B2B requirements
- Custom solution: when standard processes don’t fit, for example with configurators or special workflows
Payment methods for Switzerland
Swiss customers expect familiar payment methods. TWINT is practically a must today, as are credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard. Depending on your target audience, PostFinance, Apple Pay, Google Pay and payment by invoice may be added.
Payments are processed via a payment provider that bundles the various methods. Which combination makes sense and what to look out for is explained in the article on payment methods for Swiss online shops.
Shipping, VAT and prices
Prices in a Swiss online shop are shown in CHF and, for private customers, including VAT. The standard rate has been 8.1 per cent since 2024; the reduced rate applies to certain goods such as food or books. Check the correct setup with your fiduciary.
For shipping, communicate costs, delivery times and collection options clearly. Many shops work with Swiss Post, and an integration for shipping labels saves a lot of time day to day. If you sell abroad, customs and foreign tax rules come into play.
Product data, images and copy
A shop sells only as well as its product pages. Customers can’t touch the goods; they rely on images, descriptions and information on size, material, availability and delivery time. If something important is missing, they buy elsewhere or ask by email.
So plan enough time for product data. With large product ranges, it pays to import the data from an existing source, such as your inventory management system or a supplier list, instead of creating each product by hand. Consistent photos with a neutral background and detail shots look professional and make comparison easier.
Your own product descriptions are better than the manufacturer’s standard copy. They set you apart from other shops with the same range and help you get found on Google.
- Meaningful photos from several angles
- Clear information on variants, sizes and material
- Availability and delivery time directly on the product page
- Your own description instead of the manufacturer’s copy
- Answers to typical questions, for example on care or fit
Legal requirements for your shop
A shop needs a complete legal notice with company name, address and contact details, clear T&Cs covering delivery, payment and returns, and a privacy policy under the nDSG. The article on data protection on your website covers the basics.
Unlike in the EU, Switzerland has no general statutory right of withdrawal for online purchases. Many shops still offer a voluntary returns policy because it builds trust. If you deliberately sell to customers in the EU, their rules apply. If in doubt, have the texts checked by a legal expert.
The processes behind the shop
The biggest effort often doesn’t arise in the shop itself, but behind it: recording orders, updating stock, writing invoices, preparing parcels, answering customer enquiries. If you think these steps through from the start, you grow without chaos.
Integrations with accounting, inventory management or your POS system prevent double entry. Many recurring tasks can be automated, from the order confirmation to the request for a review. The article AI process automation shows how to go about it.
- Automatically sync stock levels between the online shop and your physical store
- Transfer invoices and bookings directly into accounting
- Generate shipping labels from the order
- Send automatic emails on dispatch, delays or returns
Key takeaways
If you are planning a shop, we are happy to prepare a quote that looks at platform, payment and processes together. The quickest way is the online shop quote request.
- Plan one-off costs and running fees together
- Choose the platform based on your product range, processes and growth
- Offer TWINT and credit cards, and add more depending on your audience
- Show prices in CHF including VAT and communicate shipping costs clearly
- Make sure you have a legal notice, T&Cs and a privacy policy
- Think about stock, accounting and shipping from the start
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online shop cost in Switzerland?
A professional online shop typically costs from around CHF 6,500. With a large product range, integrations or several languages, the budget is considerably higher.
Shopify or WooCommerce: which is better?
Shopify is quicker to launch and technically simpler to run. WooCommerce is more flexible but needs more maintenance. The choice depends on your product range, budget and processes.
Is there a right of withdrawal for online purchases in Switzerland?
Switzerland has no general statutory right of withdrawal like the EU. Many shops grant a voluntary returns policy, which is set out in the T&Cs.
How long does it take to build an online shop?
A shop with a manageable product range is often ready to launch within a few weeks. Large product ranges, integrations and product data extend the project accordingly.
