The verdict in three sentences
For an art gallery or art advisory in Geneva, the website is judged on two points: the quality of the artwork images and the clarity of the relationship with represented artists. As a 2026 ballpark, a Geneva agency charges 20,000 to 50,000 CHF for a gallery site, and a cultural design studio up to 90,000 CHF, against 2,700, 4,500 or 8,200 CHF on the fixed Kolonell grid. The budget that is often missing elsewhere covers artwork photography, image rights and a proofread English translation.
How a collector chooses a gallery, and what the site must prove
A Geneva collector, a family office building a collection or a corporate curator rarely arrives via the home page. They search an artist's name, "contemporary art gallery Geneva", "art advisory Geneva" or the name of a show seen at a fair such as artgenève. They want to check quickly that the gallery really represents the artist, what it is showing, and how to make contact discreetly.
| Page | What it must prove | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Represented artists | Current list, biographies approved by the artists | Artists listed without consent, or long gone |
| Exhibitions | Current, upcoming, archive with installation views | Archive deleted at every redesign |
| Available works | Authorised selection, "price on request" | Low-resolution images, missing credits |
| Fairs | Fair calendar, booth, works shown | Last year's calendar |
| Art advisory | Scope: collection building, acquisitions, inventory | Vague copy, no process described |
| Contact and appointments | Private appointment booking, viewing hours | A single generic email address |
Artwork images may only be published with the permission of the artist or their estate, and installation shots can involve the photographer's rights. Prices generally stay "on request". On compliance, art market participants are subject, depending on the country, to anti-money-laundering rules (the European Union and the United Kingdom have regimes aimed at art market professionals), which affects how transactions are presented: keep the site general and work out the detail with your counsel. This is not legal advice.
Real cost: Geneva vs a fixed grid
| Option | 2026 range (CHF) | Timeline | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | 5,000 to 15,000 | 6 to 12 weeks | Flexibility, cost | Little copywriting, variable availability |
| Geneva agency | 20,000 to 50,000 | 10 to 16 weeks | Proximity, on-site workshops | Photography and translation often extra |
| Cultural design studio | 50,000 to 90,000+ | 14 to 24 weeks | Strong visual identity | Timeline, budget |
| Kolonell Starter | 2,700 | 3 to 4 weeks | Compact site, native copywriting | No extended artwork catalogue |
| Kolonell Growth | 4,500 | 3 to 4 weeks | Artists, exhibitions, fairs, advisory | Connected catalogue on quote |
| Kolonell Premium | 8,200 | 4 to 6 weeks | Multilingual tier, languages set in the quote | Integrations on quote |
Local ranges are a 2026 ballpark from typical agency quotes and public rate pages of agencies in French-speaking Switzerland. Kolonell prices are fixed and include a project manager reachable in your time zone, native French or English copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks (4 to 6 for Premium) once content is ready, and 3 months of support. Details are on the international offer. Connecting to gallery management software, a private collectors' area or an online viewing room are on quote.
Hidden costs and total cost over three years
| Item (CHF, 3 years) | Geneva agency | Kolonell Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Website build | 35,000 | 8,200 |
| Artwork and installation photography (third party) | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| Proofread English translation (third party) | 3,500 | 3,500 |
| Privacy policy review (third party) | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Maintenance (market assumption: 250 CHF / month) | 9,000 | 8,250 (market assumption, 33 months; Kolonell: on quote) |
| Indicative total | 55,000 | 27,450 |
Photography is the most underestimated item: professional artwork photography often costs 60 to 150 CHF per work depending on format, and a serious site needs 40 to 80 works. Data protection falls under the revised Federal Act on Data Protection (revFADP), in force since 1 September 2023 and supervised by the FDPIC, and the GDPR may apply if you target collectors resident in the EU, notably through the newsletter.
When a Geneva agency is the better option
If your gallery wants a completely new visual identity, working sessions in the exhibition space, a catalogue connected to thousands of works, or a provider who photographs every hang itself, a Geneva agency or studio has the edge. A remote studio fits when you need a clear, well-written site, delivered in time for a fair, at a fixed price.
Questions to ask before signing:
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- How do you handle photo credits and artist permissions?
- Is the exhibition archive kept and redirected if URLs change?
- Who writes the biographies, and who gets them approved?
- Does private appointment booking store data, where and for how long?
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Galerie Rive Haute, with four represented artists and an advisory practice, has a fair in ten weeks. Its founder, Hélène, compares an agency at 38,000 CHF deliverable in 14 weeks with the 8,200 CHF Premium tier, French and English set in the quote, deliverable in 4 to 6 weeks. She adds 50 works photographed at 100 CHF each, or 5,000 CHF. Total: 13,200 CHF, live before the fair. The 24,800 CHF difference comfortably funds the catalogue for the next show.
FAQ
How much does an art gallery website cost in Geneva?
As a 2026 ballpark, expect 20,000 to 50,000 CHF with a Geneva agency and up to 90,000 CHF with a cultural design studio. The Kolonell grid is fixed: 2,700 CHF for Starter, 4,500 CHF for Growth, 8,200 CHF for Premium.
Should we show artwork prices?
The dominant practice remains "price on request", which protects the relationship with the collector. Some galleries show prices for editions under 5,000 CHF, a commercial choice to make with the artists.
Do we need an English version?
In Geneva, a large share of collectors and family offices are international, so English is often expected. It falls under the Premium tier, with languages set in the quote.
Can we publish every work by a represented artist?
Only with the consent of the artist or their estate, and with the photographer credited. Keep a permissions sheet for each image, often 40 to 80 works at launch.
How quickly can the site go live?
With Kolonell, 3 to 4 weeks for Growth and 4 to 6 weeks for Premium, once content and photos are ready. A Geneva agency usually quotes 10 to 16 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Artist, exhibition, fair and advisory pages on the Growth or Premium tier, delivered in 3 to 6 weeks, in time for your next fair. 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.
