T
text & bytes GmbH
Bern
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Rating
4
Services
text & bytes is a web agency in Bern for websites, web applications and digital editions. It combines UX/UI design with web and app development and advises clients on digital products.
Bern · BE
The best Web design agencies in Bern
Which web design agency is the best fit for you?
If you are planning a website in Bern, you are operating in a market shaped by the federal administration, the Inselspital, international NPOs around Wankdorf and a solid SME mid-market. This mix explains why Drupal is unusually widespread in Bern (the federal government and the hospitals have relied on it for years), while WordPress dominates for smaller company sites.
The Bern web design market is more pragmatic than Zurich's, less glamour-driven and more focused on substance and maintainability. Clients expect clear functionality and a transparent total cost of ownership rather than experimental design trends. That shapes the agency landscape: many boutiques with long-standing CMS experience (often Drupal or TYPO3 specialists), alongside modern headless and Webflow teams for tech-minded engagements.
mmesh.ai matches you free of charge and neutrally with suitable providers from the Bern catchment area. The web agencies listed cover the full spectrum, from solo web designers to 30-strong digital agencies with public sector expertise, and deliver websites, online shops, SEO, marketing and digital solutions for Bern businesses. This is how you find and compare the right web agency in Bern for your project.
Recommended Web design agencies
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THONIC GmbH
Bern
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Rating
4
Services
«We're no bag of surprises, but we're always good for one» – this is how THONIC describes its own approach. The GmbH's work focuses on concept, consulting and graphic design, spanning both digital…
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Studio DP, Daniel Peter
Bern
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Rating
5
Services
When museums, theatres and galleries need a visual language, Studio DP by Daniel Peter is on hand. The design studio specialises in communication for cultural institutions, with a clear focus on…
This is a curated selection, not a complete list. For a shortlist tailored to your project, briefly describe what you're planning. mmesh matches you neutrally with the best-fitting Web design agencies in Bern. Free, no commission.
Find the right web design agency via briefing→The Bern web design market at a glance
As the federal capital, Bern has a web landscape of its own, shaped by the federal administration, the hospital and university environment, international NPOs around Wankdorf and a solid SME mid-market. Drupal is unusually present here (the federal government and the Inselspital have relied on it for over a decade), TYPO3 in mid-market industrial engagements, WordPress for classic SME sites.
Structurally, three types shape the Bern market: first, public-sector-specialised boutiques with eCH-0059 experience and Drupal/TYPO3 depth (often 15+ years in the market); second, generalist SME web agencies with 3-15 employees for mid-sized engagements; third, modern headless and Webflow teams for tech-oriented spin-offs and NPOs.
For most Bern SMEs, category 2 or 3 is the right choice. Public sector agencies are geared in price and process towards corporate and government engagements. Hourly rates typically range from CHF 130 to 220, higher in specialised compliance verticals.
Web design disciplines at a glance
Web design is a chain of strategy, UX, visual design, front-end development, CMS integration and hosting. Six disciplines that interlock in a modern web agency.
UX research & concept
Persona definition, user journeys, wireframes, information architecture. An investment in the early project phase that reduces iteration costs.
Visual design & design systems
Layout, typography, colour systems, component libraries in Figma. A documented design system makes future extensions faster.
Front-end development
Implementation in HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Classically vanilla/jQuery; in modern stacks React, Vue, Next.js. Performance optimisation is standard, not a surcharge.
CMS & back end
WordPress for SMEs, Drupal/TYPO3 for the public sector and complex structures, headless CMSs for tech clients.
E-commerce platforms
Shopify for scaling D2C brands, WooCommerce for SME web shops, Magento for complex B2B set-ups.
Hosting, maintenance & further development
Security updates, backups, performance monitoring, bug fixing. Maintenance retainers of CHF 150 to 2500 per month are standard in the industry.
What web design costs in Bern
Bern web design hourly rates typically range between CHF 130 and 220, somewhat below Zurich. A professional company website on WordPress with a custom theme starts at CHF 6'000 and extends to CHF 35'000 with comprehensive custom design plus multilingual support (DE/FR/EN). Mid-market engagements with complex information architecture, CRM integration and an editorial set-up range between CHF 35'000 and CHF 90'000.
Public sector and healthcare engagements (federal administration suppliers, the Inselspital, cantonal administrations) are often Drupal-based, with high requirements for accessibility (eCH-0059), multilingualism and data protection. These projects range between CHF 80'000 and CHF 350'000, plus ongoing maintenance in the region of CHF 1'500 to 6'000 per month.
What you should avoid as a small Bern business: Zurich hourly rates for a straightforward website project. The Bern market has plenty of competent solo web designers and 3-8-person teams that deliver a classic company site cleanly and considerably more cheaply than a big capital-city agency.
Budget ranges for web projects in Bern
Three tiers. Hourly rates in Bern typically range from CHF 130 to 220.
Solo & local SME web
CHF 4'500 – 12'000 one-off + CHF 150-600 / month maintenance
Standard WordPress with a custom theme, 5-12 subpages. Suitable for hairdressers in the Länggasse, practices in the Lorraine, trade businesses in Bümpliz.
SME standard with custom design
CHF 12'000 – 35'000 one-off + CHF 600-2'000 / month maintenance
Bespoke design, custom WordPress or Webflow, an integrated newsletter system, simple multilingual support (DE/FR).
Platform & public sector web
CHF 35'000 – 250'000+ one-off + CHF 2'000-6'000 / month retainer
Drupal/TYPO3 for public bodies and hospitals with eCH-0059, multilingual sites, CRM integration. Full scope with a dedicated team.
How to choose the right web design agency in Bern
Start with the concrete goal: brand presence, lead generation, e-commerce, self-service portal. That determines whether you need a design studio, a full-service digital agency or a specialised tech agency. For federal administration or public sector engagements, one extra question applies: does the agency have eCH-0059 experience and does it know the cantonal procurement rules?
Look at case studies in the same set-up: a similar industry, a similar level of complexity, a comparable CMS. An agency that has only served international NPOs prices and works differently from one serving an SME in Köniz or Belp. Ask specifically about performance guarantees (Lighthouse score, Core Web Vitals) and whether they form part of the acceptance criteria.
Also important: does communication run directly with the person doing the work? For SME engagements, a direct line to the developer or designer counts for more than any tool list. And make sure that you, as the client, remain the owner of all access (hosting, domain, CMS, analytics), so you lose nothing if you ever switch agencies.
7-point checklist for choosing a web design agency
Go through these seven points concretely before signing the contract.
- 1Settle the tech-stack question: WordPress, Drupal, Webflow, headless? The agency should recommend based on your needs, not its comfort zone.
- 2Ask for case studies in the same set-up: a similar industry, a comparable CMS, a comparable level of complexity.
- 3Check the UX research process. Personas, wireframes and click prototypes are standard for mid-sized projects.
- 4Demand performance guarantees. Lighthouse score ≥ 85, Core Web Vitals in the green, mobile first. In writing, in the contract.
- 5For public sector or healthcare engagements: ask for evidence of eCH-0059 or WCAG conformity.
- 6Owner status for all access: domain, hosting, CMS admin, analytics, Search Console. Everything in your name.
- 7Clarify the maintenance and development model beforehand. Monthly retainers with defined service levels are more transparent.
Web project use cases for typical Bern industries
Which web design approach works best for you depends heavily on your industry and business model. Six typical Bern constellations.
Local SMEs & trades
A plumber in Bümpliz, a hairdresser in the Länggasse, a practice in the Lorraine, a fiduciary in Kirchenfeld. Standard WordPress with a custom theme, Google Business Profile, contact form. Budget: CHF 4'500-10'000 one-off + CHF 150-400 monthly.
Public sector & administration
Municipal websites, cantonal suppliers, federal administration engagements. Drupal with eCH-0059, accessibility, multilingual support (DE/FR/IT). Budget: CHF 80'000-350'000 one-off.
NPOs & associations
International NPOs around Wankdorf, aid organisations, policy-focused associations. WordPress or Drupal with donation integration, newsletter, a storytelling-capable editor. Budget: CHF 15'000-65'000 one-off + retainer.
Healthcare, practices & medtech
Bern medical practices around the Inselspital, dentists, medtech spin-offs. WordPress with HWG standards, patient portal integration, appointment booking. Budget: CHF 10'000-35'000.
Education & training
Vocational schools, private training providers, language schools, BFH spin-off academies. WordPress or headless with a course catalogue, sign-up funnel, newsletter. Budget: CHF 15'000-50'000.
Hotels & gastronomy
Bern city hotels, restaurants in the old town, event locations. WordPress with booking integration (SiteMinder, Mews), review management, Instagram feed. Budget: CHF 10'000-30'000.
Why mmesh.ai is the right choice
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Over 1550 marketing providers from all over Switzerland, researched and curated.
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Providers can be rated by verified customers. Every review requires verification.
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You contact the providers directly after your briefing. mmesh.ai takes no commission and does not sell your contact details.
How mmesh.ai works
Three steps, free of charge for clients. From briefing to direct contact in less than 24 hours.
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A briefing in 5 minutes
A structured briefing with AI support.
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Matching from the Swiss network
The algorithm identifies the best-fitting providers from over 1550 providers.
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Direct contact after your approval
You see the match list, review profiles and ratings, and approve which providers may contact you.
Frequently asked questions about Web design agencies in Bern
What does a new website cost in Bern?+
A professional company website on WordPress starts at CHF 6'000 and extends to CHF 35'000 with comprehensive custom design plus multilingual support. Mid-market engagements range between CHF 35'000 and CHF 90'000. Public sector and healthcare projects (often Drupal) between CHF 80'000 and CHF 350'000.
Which CMS platforms are common in Bern?+
WordPress dominates among smaller companies. Drupal has a long tradition in the federal administration, hospitals and public bodies (often established for 10+ years). TYPO3 is found in mid-market industrial engagements. Headless set-ups (Next.js + Sanity) are gaining market share among tech-oriented clients.
How long does a web project in Bern take?+
Classic SME sites in 6-12 weeks, mid-market engagements in 4-6 months. Public sector engagements often stretch to 9-18 months due to procurement processes and stakeholder alignment.
Do I need eCH-0059 conformity for my website?+
Mandatory for federal, cantonal and municipal websites and their suppliers. Voluntary for private-sector SME sites, but recommended: a third of internet users have impairments that accessibility affects. WCAG 2.2 Level AA is the international standard.
Should I put design and development in one pair of hands?+
For SME engagements yes, because shorter feedback loops save money and nerves. For mid-market projects a split often pays off: a design studio delivers the concept, a development boutique the implementation. Clear interface definition is what matters.
How important is mobile first in Bern?+
Just as important as anywhere else. Over 60 per cent of traffic on SME websites comes from mobile devices, and Google uses the mobile-first index. Performance guarantees (Lighthouse score ≥ 85) should be standard, not a surcharge.
Who looks after hosting and maintenance after launch?+
Three models: the agency hosts and maintains (convenient, CHF 150-2500 per month), you host on your own server and buy maintenance as a retainer, or you take over everything after launch. Important: you must remain the owner of the domain, the hosting contract and the CMS admin.
Do I need a branding agency before the web project?+
For a brand built from scratch or a repositioning yes, branding comes before the website. If your brand is already clearly defined, a design studio within the web agency is enough. Ask specifically whether the agency does pure implementation or also delivers brand strategy.
What about SEO for a new website?+
On-page SEO (meta tags, Schema.org, performance, semantic HTML, sitemap) is part of the standard scope. Content-led SEO (keyword research, content strategy) is usually commissioned separately, often with an SEO agency. Ask explicitly which SEO standards the web agency guarantees.
How much of my own time does the agency expect?+
For a typical mid-market project, plan for 15-30 hours of involvement: briefing, workshops, content delivery, reviews. If you do not budget this time, the project slips or the agency produces content externally (more expensive). A good agency tells you clearly upfront what it needs.
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