The verdict in three sentences
In Fribourg, a law firm website from a local agency costs a 2026 ballpark of 6 000 to 28 000 CHF, and French-German bilingualism often explains a third of the gap between two quotes. A freelancer usually quotes 2 500 to 8 000 CHF, but rarely with two languages written to the same standard. Kolonell builds the site for 2 700, 4 500 or 8 200 CHF, with native French or English copy included and a German version integrated from your translator's text, so you can see exactly what each language costs.
What do Fribourg agencies charge in 2026?
These are 2026 ballpark ranges based on public rate cards of Swiss agencies, Clutch.co profiles listing minimum project sizes and freelance rates on Malt. They vary with scope. Swiss digital agencies commonly publish 120 to 180 CHF per hour. For English-speaking lawyers practising in Fribourg, English is usually a third language for local agencies and priced accordingly.
| Criterion | Fribourg agency | Freelancer | Kolonell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law firm site, one language | 6 000 to 18 000 CHF | 2 500 to 6 000 CHF | 2 700 / 4 500 CHF |
| Law firm site, French and German | 10 000 to 28 000 CHF | 4 000 to 8 000 CHF, if feasible | 8 200 CHF + German text supplied |
| Typical timeline | 6 to 12 weeks | 4 to 10 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks (Premium: 4 to 6) |
| Copywriting | Often extra | Rarely included | Native English or French copy included |
| Post-launch support | Separate contract | Variable | 3 months included |
| Domain and access | Check the contract | Check | In the firm's name, all access handed over |
| Payment | Varies by agency | Variable | Bank transfer or Wise, 50 % upfront, 50 % at delivery |
A bilingual Fribourg agency has a real advantage: it writes both languages and knows the local bar. If your firm litigates as much in German as in French, that can justify its price. If French or English is your main language and German mainly reassures part of your clients, a remote studio working with a translator you choose is often cheaper. The tiers are described on our website offer for international clients.
Does bilingualism blow up the quote?
The cost of a second language depends mostly on who writes it and how the site is structured from the start.
| Language option | Local agency ballpark | With Kolonell |
|---|---|---|
| French only, 8 pages | 6 000 to 15 000 CHF | 4 500 CHF (Growth) |
| French + German, translated by the agency | 30 to 60 % extra | Not applicable |
| French + German, translator chosen by the firm | Integration billed hourly | 8 200 CHF (Premium) + translation, ballpark 1 500 to 2 500 CHF |
| French + English | 30 to 60 % extra | 8 200 CHF, both languages written natively |
| Three languages (FR, DE, EN) | 15 000 to 28 000+ CHF | 8 200 CHF + German supplied |
| Applications (booking, client area) | Quoted | Quoted on request |
The key point: require in the quote an identical page structure in both languages, with clean URLs for each version. Kolonell is used to multilingual builds: for Orven Properties (orvenproperties.com), an off-plan real-estate advisory in Dubai, the team delivered a trilingual FR/EN/AR site with project pages, investor guides and WhatsApp enquiries.
What a Fribourg law firm website needs
Fribourg is a bilingual canton, home to a university whose law faculty teaches in French and German, between the Lake Geneva region and Bern.
- Two equivalent versions: a German-speaking client must find the same practice areas, bios and level of detail as a French-speaking one.
- Clear practice areas: family, employment, criminal, corporate, real estate and construction, social insurance.
- Lawyer bios stating the languages they plead in, cantonal bar registration and background.
- Confidentiality: short form, a notice that a message does not create a mandate, a privacy notice in both languages.
- Compliance: the revised Federal Act on Data Protection (revFADP), in force since 1 September 2023, applies to forms and analytics. Lawyer advertising is framed by the federal lawyers act and the rules of the Fribourg bar, which the firm must check. This article is not legal advice.
What to check before signing
- Is each language priced separately, with the name of whoever writes it?
- Are the numbers of pages and bios written down?
- Is VAT (8.1 %) included? For a foreign provider, ask your fiduciary about the acquisition tax.
- Are the domain and hosting in the firm's name?
- What does maintenance cost per year after year one?
Red flags: a German version produced by machine translation, pages missing in one language, a subscription with no end date, no written schedule. To compare on an equal footing, send the same brief to every provider, including through our free quote form.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
*Illustrative example, hypothetical firm.* Anna co-manages a four-lawyer firm in Fribourg whose clients are 70 % French-speaking. A local agency quotes 15 000 CHF excl. VAT for a French-German site, plus 130 CHF per month of maintenance. Over 3 years: 15 000 + (130 × 36) = 19 680 CHF.
With Kolonell Premium at 8 200 CHF, the firm gives the German to its usual translator for 1 800 CHF and sets aside 2 700 CHF for later maintenance, quoted separately. Over 3 years: 8 200 + 1 800 + 2 700 = 12 700 CHF, or 6 980 CHF less, about 35 %, with a German version reviewed by a professional the firm already trusts.
FAQ
Does a Fribourg firm really need a bilingual site?
Not always: if 90 % of your clients speak French, a Growth site at 4 500 CHF in French can be enough to start. The structure can be planned to add German later.
Does Kolonell write the German version?
No, Kolonell writes natively in English and French. German is supplied by your translator, usually 1 500 to 2 500 CHF for a 10-page site, then integrated and checked.
How long does a bilingual site take?
The Premium tier usually takes 4 to 6 weeks, with a written schedule at kickoff. Local agencies often announce 8 weeks or more for two languages.
How does communication work?
Your project manager schedules Google Meet calls at a time that suits you and sends a written weekly update. The team is based in Senegal (GMT), 1 to 2 hours behind Fribourg.
What remains to pay after delivery?
The 3 months of support are included; maintenance afterwards is quoted, with no mandatory subscription. Payment is by bank transfer or Wise, 50 % to start and 50 % at delivery.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your practice areas, languages and target date, and we will return a tier, a written scope and a 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.
