Essentials of e-commerce: set up your online store for the Swiss market
Essentials of e-commerce: setting up your online store for the Swiss market
- Multilingualism: Offer your site in Swiss German, French, and Italian. Use hreflang tags (
fr-CH,de-CH) for SEO. - Regulations: Comply with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DPA) and register your company with the commercial register. Display all legal information on your site.
- Adapted payments: Integrate TWINT, credit cards, bank transfers, and invoice payments to cater to local preferences.
- Logistics and VAT: Collaborate with reliable carriers like Swiss Post and apply Swiss VAT rates (8.1%, 2.6%, 3.8%).
- : Adapt to local formats (CHF 1'234.56, dates DD.MM.YYYY) and offer smooth mobile navigation.
- Pre-launch tests: Verify payments, logistics, and mobile performance to ensure a functional site.
Quick comparison of key obligations
| Aspect | Switzerland (DPA) | European Union (GDPR) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum fines | CHF 250,000 (individuals), CHF 50,000 (companies) | Up to 4% of annual turnover |
| Data Protection Officer | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory in certain cases |
| Notifications | Simpler information required | Detailed information mandatory |
In Switzerland, attention to local details is essential to gain consumer trust. Adhere to local standards, offer suitable