The verdict in three sentences
For an M&A boutique advisory firm in Geneva, the website must first reassure a founder, a shareholding family or a fund on three points: sector expertise, partner seniority and discretion. Geneva agencies typically charge CHF 20,000 to 50,000 for a site of this level, and CHF 50,000 to 120,000 at brand agencies (2026 ballpark), against CHF 2,700, CHF 4,500 or CHF 8,200 on Kolonell's fixed grid. The real gap shows over three years, once translation, photography, review and maintenance are added, and that calculation should drive the decision.
What an M&A boutique website must prove, page by page
An owner considering the sale of a family business does not fill in a form after one visit. They come back three or four times, often in the evening, and compare two or three boutiques recommended by their banker or fiduciary. Each page has to answer a specific question.
| Page | What it must prove | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Clear positioning: SME sales, mid-cap, family succession | Generic slogan with no sector or deal size |
| Sector expertise | Real knowledge of 3 to 5 sectors (watchmaking, trading, healthcare, industry) | A list of 15 sectors with no depth |
| Transactions | Real tombstones, publicly announced, with client consent | Client logos published without permission |
| Partners | Background, years of experience, working languages | Photos with no biography or role |
| Approach | How a sell-side or buy-side mandate runs, indicative duration | Jargon without concrete steps |
| Insights | Dated notes on multiples or succession | Articles from 2021 never updated |
| Confidential contact | Minimal form, no attachments, reply from a partner | Form demanding revenue on first contact |
Two rules are not negotiable. First, no invented deal or value: only transactions publicly announced and approved by the client appear. Second, regulatory status varies by country and activity (FCA authorisation in the UK, FINRA broker-dealer registration for many US M&A advisers); in Switzerland, have your counsel check whether any of your activities fall under financial services as defined by FinSA. This is not legal advice. The revised Federal Act on Data Protection (revFADP), in force since 1 September 2023 and overseen by the FDPIC, governs the contact form, and the GDPR applies on top if you approach sellers in neighbouring France.
Real cost: Geneva agencies, freelancers and a fixed grid
Ranges drawn from typical local agency quotes and public agency rate pages, 2026 ballpark, excluding third-party costs.
| Provider | Build budget (CHF) | Usual timeline | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva freelancer | 5,000 to 15,000 | 4 to 8 weeks | Adapted theme, copy written by the client |
| Mid-size Geneva agency | 20,000 to 50,000 | 2 to 4 months | Custom design, CMS, French and English |
| High-end brand agency | 50,000 to 120,000 | 4 to 6 months | Identity, art direction, motion |
| Kolonell Starter | 2,700 | 3 to 4 weeks | Focused site, project manager, native copywriting |
| Kolonell Growth | 4,500 | 3 to 4 weeks | Full site with expertise, transactions, insights |
| Kolonell Premium | 8,200 | 4 to 6 weeks | Multilingual tier, languages set in the quote |
Every Kolonell tier includes a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, and 3 months of support. Secure client area, data room, CRM integration: on quote. Details are on the international offer page.
Hidden costs and the three-year total
The build quote does not tell the whole story. A Geneva boutique works at minimum in French and English, sometimes in German for sellers from German-speaking Switzerland. Professional translation, partner photography and counsel review of legal notices are third-party costs, to plan for with any provider.
| Item over 36 months | Mid-size Geneva agency | Kolonell Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Site build (French and English) | 38,000 | 8,200 |
| German translation, third party | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Partner photography | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Legal review of notices | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Maintenance 33 months (market assumption: CHF 300/month) | 9,900 | 9,900 (Kolonell: on quote) |
| Three-year total | 54,400 | 24,600 |
Maintenance after the 3 included months is on quote at Kolonell: the same market assumption is applied to both columns to compare like with like.
When a Geneva agency is still the better choice
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A local agency makes sense if you want a full identity overhaul with name and guidelines, in-person workshops with every partner, an agency that also handles your financial press relations, or a team on site for regular meetings. In every case, ask these questions: who owns the domain, the CMS and the hosting accounts; where form data is stored in light of the revFADP; how tombstones are approved before publication; what adding a page costs after delivery; and what the exit terms are if you change provider.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Claire, founding partner of "Salève Corporate Finance", a fictional four-partner boutique in Geneva focused on family SME succession. A local agency quotes her CHF 38,000 for a French and English site. Choosing Kolonell Premium at CHF 8,200 with the same third-party costs (German translation 2,500, photography 2,500, review 1,500), the build comes to CHF 14,700 against CHF 44,500. Over three years, with the same maintenance assumption, the gap remains CHF 29,800, roughly several months of a junior analyst's fees.
FAQ
How much does an M&A boutique website cost in Geneva in 2026?
A mid-size Geneva agency generally asks CHF 20,000 to 50,000 (2026 ballpark). On the Kolonell grid, plan on CHF 4,500 for Growth or CHF 8,200 for the multilingual Premium tier.
Can we publish our transactions on the site?
Yes, only those publicly announced and with the client's written consent. A boutique showing 10 to 20 verifiable tombstones inspires more trust than a list of unauthorised logos.
Which languages should we plan for in Geneva?
French and English are essential for most boutiques; German is worth it if 20% or more of your mandates come from German-speaking Switzerland. The Premium tier is multilingual, with languages set in the quote.
What timelines are realistic?
Kolonell delivers in 3 to 4 weeks, 4 to 6 for Premium, once content is ready. Client approval of tombstones often adds 1 to 2 weeks.
What does maintenance cover after delivery?
The first 3 months of support are included. After that, maintenance is on quote; in the Geneva market, an assumption of CHF 200 to 500 per month is common depending on service level.
Let's scope your project. A French and English site for your boutique, Growth or Premium tier, live in 3 to 6 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.
