The verdict in three sentences
In Zurich, an immigration and relocation firm website built by a local agency costs, as a 2026 ballpark, 12 000 to 40 000 CHF, and more with a custom assignee portal. Kolonell builds the service pages, a page for corporate HR teams, settling-in guides and the intake form for a fixed price of 2 700, 4 500 or 8 200 CHF, in 3 to 4 weeks on Starter and Growth. Compare the 3-year total cost, how German is handled and how each quote treats the personal data of relocating employees.
What do Zurich agencies, freelancers and Kolonell charge?
Prudent ballparks, based on public rate cards of agencies in German-speaking Switzerland, minimum project sizes shown on Clutch.co, hourly rates published by Zurich agencies (often 130 to 220 CHF per hour) and rates visible on Malt or Upwork.
| Criterion | Zurich agency | Local freelancer | Kolonell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build cost, 2026 ballpark | 12 000 to 40 000 CHF and up | 4 000 to 12 000 CHF | 2 700 / 4 500 / 8 200 CHF, fixed |
| Hour outside scope | Often 130 to 220 CHF | Often 90 to 140 CHF | Quoted before any work |
| Usual timeline | 10 to 16 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks, Premium usually 4 to 6 |
| German copy | Native | Native | Supplied by you or quoted separately |
| English or French copy | Often billed extra | Varies | Native, included |
| Team portraits | Often offered | Rarely | No: your images or a local photographer |
| Ownership | Check | Check | Domain in your name, access handed over |
A project manager works in your time zone: Google Meet calls at your hour, a written update every week. The team is based in Senegal (GMT), one to two hours behind Zurich depending on the season. Payment by bank transfer or Wise, 50 % to start, 50 % at delivery. No in-person meetings and no on-site shooting. Details are on our international offer.
What is the total cost over three years?
Same maintenance assumption on both sides, since Kolonell maintenance after the support period is quoted on request.
| Item over 36 months | Zurich agency (mid range) | Kolonell Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Website build | 20 000 CHF | 4 500 CHF |
| German version | Included | Independent translator, assumption 1 400 CHF |
| Maintenance (same assumption) | 160 CHF per month over 33 months, 5 280 CHF | 5 280 CHF, quoted on request |
| 5 added guides (schools, insurance, housing) | 10 hours at 170 CHF, 1 700 CHF | Quoted beforehand, assumption 1 000 CHF |
| Team portraits | 1 200 CHF | Zurich photographer booked separately, 1 200 CHF |
| Indicative total | 28 180 CHF | 13 380 CHF |
These figures support the comparison; they do not predict the invoice.
What does a Zurich relocation firm need?
Zurich and its surroundings (Zug, Schwyz, the lakeshore) draw executives from banking, insurance, tech and pharma. Your buyers are often HR and global mobility teams, who compare three providers before signing a framework agreement; the relocating employee reads your guides from London, Paris or Singapore.
| Item | Starter 2 700 CHF | Growth 4 500 CHF | Premium 8 200 CHF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service pages | Service families | One page per service: home search, schools, settling in, departure | Full structure by canton covered |
| Corporate and HR page | Included | With process, lead times and deliverables | Detailed HR journey, proposal request |
| Settling-in guides | 2 guides | Up to 6 guides | Structured guide library |
| Intake form | Simple | Sorted by assignment type | Journey by profile (HR, private client) |
| Bilingual FR/EN site | No | No | Included |
| Support | 3 months | 3 months | 6 months |
A portal where the employee tracks the case and uploads documents is a custom application, quoted on request, as is ongoing search work.
Compliance, factually. Granting a permit (L, B, G or other) is a decision for cantonal and federal authorities, and annual quotas apply to third-country nationals. Your site must never promise a permit or a guaranteed timeline. If you offer legal representation, state exactly who provides it and in what capacity. Case files hold identity documents, family details and sometimes health information or administrative proceedings: some of this is sensitive personal data under the revised Federal Act on Data Protection (nLPD/revFADP), in force since 1 September 2023. The website form should stay minimal, with documents going through a secure tool. This is not legal advice.
Which red flags should you spot in a quote?
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- A form asking for the passport or current permit upfront.
- Copy such as 'permit guaranteed in X weeks' suggested by the agency.
- No line on German or on proofreading the guides.
- Domain or hosting account in the agency's name.
- An assignee portal 'included' with no detail on security or hosting.
Mini case study
Illustrative example. Sandra K., founder of an eight-consultant firm in Zurich working mainly for the HR teams of international groups, wants a site in English, French and German. A Zurich agency quotes 26 000 CHF for the three languages, in 14 weeks. Kolonell proposes Premium at 8 200 CHF (native English and French), plus 1 600 CHF of German translation by a local translator.
Build: 26 000 CHF versus 9 800 CHF, a 16 200 CHF gap. With the same maintenance assumption (5 280 CHF on each side), the 3-year total is 31 280 CHF versus 15 080 CHF. Sandra books a local photographer for portraits and parks the assignee portal question for later.
FAQ
How much does a relocation firm website cost in Zurich in 2026?
With a local agency, a ballpark of 12 000 to 40 000 CHF; with a freelancer, 4 000 to 12 000 CHF. Kolonell charges 2 700, 4 500 or 8 200 CHF.
Can you write in German?
No, we write native English and French. German is supplied by you or quoted separately, often 1 200 to 1 800 CHF for a site of this kind.
Can the site receive identity documents?
We advise against it through a standard form. On Growth (4 500 CHF), the form stays minimal and points to your secure tool; a custom portal is quoted on request.
How long until we are live?
3 to 4 weeks on Starter and Growth, a written schedule at kickoff on Premium, usually 4 to 6 weeks.
How is the project paid?
By bank transfer or Wise, 50 % at kickoff and 50 % at delivery, so two payments of 4 100 CHF on Premium.
Let's scope your project. Send us your services, the cantons you cover and your languages, and we come back with a fixed-price tier and a 3 to 4 week timeline. Request your free quote or see the international offer.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
