Create an online shop in Switzerland

An online shop that sells in Switzerland must do three things well: accept TWINT and cards, deliver with clear costs, and respect the Swiss rules for online trade. This guide compares the platforms, from the simplest to the most flexible, and lists what to plan before you open.

Quick picks

Fewer than 20 products, site already on Wix or Squarespace: add their shop.
A serious shop, without managing a server: Shopify.
Existing WordPress site: WooCommerce.
Very large catalogue, need for total control: PrestaShop or Shopware.
Custom products, quotes, prices per client: a custom shop.

Table: from the simplest to the most flexible

Platform	Level	Maintenance	Best for
Wix eCommerce	●	handled by Wix	small catalogues
Squarespace Commerce	●	handled by Squarespace	creators, design objects
Shopify	●●	handled by Shopify	shops that want to grow
WooCommerce	●●●	your responsibility	WordPress sites
PrestaShop	●●●●	your responsibility	large catalogues
Shopware	●●●●	your responsibility	B2B and B2C trade
Custom	●●●●●	per the contract	particular sales processes

The platforms in detail

Wix eCommerce and Squarespace Commerce

Best for: small catalogues, a site already on these tools.
Strength: everything is included, online in a few days.
Limit: fewer options for high volumes.

Shopify

Best for: shops that want to grow without managing technology.
Strength: stable, a very large number of apps.
Limit: the subscription and paid apps add up.

WooCommerce

Best for: companies already on WordPress.
Strength: total freedom, many extensions.
Limit: updates and security to follow closely.

PrestaShop and Shopware

Best for: large catalogues, sales to companies.
Strength: open source, very configurable.
Limit: they need a technical provider.

Custom

Best for: configurable products, quotes, prices per client.
Strength: the shop follows your process, not the reverse.
Limit: longer lead time and a higher budget.

Payment and delivery

TWINT: essential for Swiss clients.
Cards: Visa, Mastercard, and the PostFinance Card if your clients use it.
Swiss payment providers: Payrexx, Datatrans or Wallee, depending on the volume.
Delivery: costs shown before the basket, delivery time announced, parcel tracking.
Returns: a clear rule that is easy to find.
Invoices and stock: connect the shop to your invoicing. See our guide to invoicing software.

Legal duties in Switzerland

Legal notice: name, address and email of the company (UCA art. 3 para. 1 let. s).
Order steps clearly described, errors that can be corrected before the purchase.
Order confirmation by email.
Prices in CHF, VAT included, delivery costs shown.
General terms of sale and a privacy policy that complies with the nFADP.

FAQ

How long does it take to open an online shop?

A few days on Wix or Shopify with few products. Several weeks for a large catalogue or a custom shop.

Do I need a separate site for the shop?

No. The shop can be part of your current site.

Sell in Europe too?

It is possible, but VAT, customs and the rules of the European Union are added. Plan it from the start.

Free test

your current site tested in 2 minutes (security, speed on a phone, readability for Google and AI).

Run the test

Website creation · Book a call