The verdict in three sentences
In Vaduz, an architecture firm designing passive houses and energy retrofits sells technical proof first: energy demand, materials, labels, running costs. A local agency in the Rhine valley (Liechtenstein, St. Gallen, Vorarlberg) is justified if you need a German-speaking team on site to film your projects and run workshops. If your project data is available and you want a light, fast site in German and English, a fixed-price remote studio is often the most rational choice.
Which scenario fits your firm?
A Vaduz architect's clientele is cross-border: Liechtenstein private clients and entrepreneurs, Swiss families in the Rhine valley, Austrian clients in Vorarlberg, sometimes English-speaking family offices. The Swiss franc is the country's currency, but some of your Austrian quotes are negotiated in euros. Rather than a generic grid, start from your situation.
| Scenario | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full rebrand, 4 partners, sign-off committee | Local agency | In-person workshops and shared art direction |
| Clients almost all German-speaking, no in-house writer | Local agency | Native German copywriting included |
| 2 decision makers, project photos already cleared | Remote studio | Budget 4 to 8 times lower, live in 3 to 4 weeks |
| Need a polished English version for international clients | Remote studio | Native English copywriting included |
| Drone footage at the end of every project | Local agency or local photographer | On-site logistics |
| Technical sheets you update yourselves | Both, to be checked | Depends on the CMS offered and the training |
In practice, many firms combine a remote studio for the website with a regional photographer for the images.
What does each option cost over three years?
The ranges below reflect typical agency quotes and public rate pages of agencies in the region (Liechtenstein, St. Gallen, Vorarlberg). They are 2026 ballpark figures in CHF.
| Item | Rhine valley agency | Regional freelancer | Remote studio (Growth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website build | 15,000 to 40,000 | 5,000 to 12,000 | 4,500 |
| Photo and drone video (2 days) | 3,000 to 7,000 | 3,000 to 7,000 | 3,000 to 7,000 |
| German translation or proofreading | 0 to 2,000 | 1,000 to 2,500 | 1,500 to 3,000 |
| Maintenance over 33 months | 3,800 to 10,400 | 2,500 to 6,000 | 1,000 to 5,000 |
| Hosting over 3 years | 600 to 1,800 | 600 to 1,800 | 600 to 1,600 |
| Three-year total | 22,400 to 61,200 | 12,100 to 29,300 | 10,600 to 21,100 |
The Kolonell international offer uses a fixed grid: Starter CHF 2,700, Growth CHF 4,500, Premium CHF 8,200, with a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Custom applications, such as an energy needs calculator, and search optimisation are priced on quote.
When is a local agency the better option?
A regional agency is worth the investment if your site must be written first in German with the terminology precision of an engineering office, if you publish site videos every month, or if your firm wants a contact who can be at the studio in twenty minutes. It is also the better fit when the website is part of a wider programme: trade fair stand, brochures and site hoardings.
A remote studio is enough when the content is defined, English matters as much as German for your family offices and investors, and the priority is getting a precise portfolio online quickly.
What a sustainable architect's site should show
- Project pages with technical data: heating demand in kWh/m² per year, target label, materials, ventilation system.
- A filter by type (new build, energy retrofit, conversion) and by municipality.
- A site that is itself lean: AVIF or WebP images, lazy loading, a target under 1.5 MB per page.
- A qualifying form: plot, floor area, budget, deadline, energy target.
- An awards and competitions page, plus a press page.
Questions to ask both types of provider
- Will the domain, hosting and code be in the firm's name?
- What average page weight do you guarantee with a 25-photo gallery?
- How are technical sheets entered in the CMS?
- Who negotiates the photographer's licence for web and competition use?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Which local rules apply?
As a member of the European Economic Area, Liechtenstein applies the GDPR, supplemented by a national data protection act and a supervisory authority, the Datenschutzstelle. If you target Swiss clients, the Swiss nFADP also deserves attention. Practising as an architect is subject to national rules: check with the professional association how to present your titles and qualifications online. Drone flights follow the rules of the country being flown over. For accessibility, target WCAG 2.2 level AA. This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Lukas Frommelt runs a five-person practice in Vaduz specialising in passive houses. A St. Gallen agency quotes CHF 28,000, then CHF 200 a month. Over three years: 28,000 + 200 x 33 = CHF 34,600, plus CHF 1,200 of hosting, so CHF 35,800. Remote, Growth tier: CHF 4,500, CHF 2,000 for a German proofread, CHF 4,000 for a regional photographer, CHF 100 a month after 3 months (CHF 3,300) and CHF 1,200 of hosting, so CHF 15,000. The CHF 20,800 gap covers several years of photographic follow-up of his projects.
FAQ
Does the GDPR really apply in Liechtenstein?
Yes, through the European Economic Area. Your contact form and analytics tools must therefore be described in a privacy notice, ideally in German and English.
Should we publish the energy performance of projects?
It is your strongest argument, with the client's consent. Three data points are often enough: heating demand, label and year of completion.
Is a lightweight site less attractive?
No, if images are compressed properly. A page of 1 to 1.5 MB can display a full gallery in under 2.5 seconds on mobile.
Can we show prices in euros for Austrian clients?
Architects' websites rarely display fees. A note stating that quotes are issued in CHF or EUR depending on the country is enough.
How long does it take to launch?
Three to four weeks with a remote studio if content is ready, against 8 to 14 weeks on average with a regional agency.
Let's scope your project. A bilingual technical portfolio, lightweight pages and a qualifying form, from CHF 2,700 to 8,200, live in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
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.