Frequently asked questions

SmartFlow is an independent digital studio based in Lausanne, Switzerland. We design the online presence of businesses: websites, visual identity, interface design and search engine optimization. What drives every project we take on is clarity. A website only has value if it's understood, used and found. We build everything in code, without templates, to deliver a level of quality and performance that off-the-shelf solutions simply can't match.

In a traditional agency, your project often passes through many hands: sales, project managers, external developers. With us, you work directly with the people who design and build your project. Fewer intermediaries, faster decisions and genuine involvement at every stage. This is also what allows us to maintain a high standard of quality on every detail.

We primarily work with SMEs, startups and independent professionals who need a digital presence that matches their ambitions. Our clients are often growing, repositioning or launching businesses. Consulting firms, real estate players, tourism, B2B services. The common thread: they're looking for a partner who can structure their message and translate it into concrete tools.

Four main areas: custom website creation, interface design (UX/UI), visual identity (logo, brand guidelines, visual system) and search engine optimization (SEO). In practice, these disciplines are rarely isolated. A website project naturally includes thinking about messaging, identity and visibility. We approach every project as a coherent whole.

Everything starts with a conversation to understand your challenges, context and goals. Together, we define the project scope. Then comes the design phase (messaging structure, architecture, mockups), where each step is validated before moving to the next. Development follows, in code, with regular check-ins. Once the site is live, we remain available for adjustments and evolution over time.

It depends on the scope. A well-structured showcase website typically takes between 4 and 8 weeks. A more ambitious project (e-commerce, web application, full redesign) can span 8 to 16 weeks. These timelines include design, feedback rounds and development. The biggest factor in duration: responsiveness in exchanges and clarity of needs upfront.

Yes, and it's actually a significant part of our work. Many businesses have a website that no longer reflects who they've become. A redesign doesn't mean starting from scratch. It's about clarifying the message, modernizing the design and improving performance while preserving what already works. The result: a site that represents you again and genuinely works for you.

When it makes sense, yes. A digital presence isn't static, it evolves with your business, your offerings, your market. Some clients come back for occasional updates, others for ongoing support. We don't aim to create dependency, but we're here when the need arises.

A website built with modern technologies (Next.js, React, TypeScript) delivers a level of performance, security and flexibility that a CMS like WordPress simply can't match. No plugins to maintain, no security vulnerabilities from extensions, no compromises imposed by a theme. Our sites consistently score above 95/100 on Lighthouse, which directly translates to better search rankings and a smoother user experience.

SEO isn't a layer we add after the fact. It's built into the design from day one. Page structure, information hierarchy, semantic markup, technical performance, structured data: everything is crafted so search engines clearly understand what you offer. With AI-generated answers increasingly appearing in search results, this structural clarity has become a decisive advantage.

More than ever. Search engines are evolving, but the principle remains the same: they seek to understand content in order to surface the best answer. AI systems (Google AI Overviews, Bing Chat, Perplexity) don't eliminate the need for SEO. They reward sites with clear, structured and trustworthy content. This evolution is sometimes referred to as GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): optimizing not only for traditional rankings, but also for AI-generated responses. A technically sound website with a clear message is more likely to be cited in these answers.

Performance isn't just about loading speed. It's a balance of technology, clarity and usability. A performant website loads instantly, displays flawlessly on every screen, communicates its message within seconds and appears where your clients are searching. If any of these elements is missing, the site loses effectiveness, regardless of how good the design looks.

Very simply. You reach out via the form or email, briefly describing your project. We respond within 24 to 48 business hours with personalized feedback, not an automated message. If the project is a good fit on both sides, we schedule a free scoping call to understand your challenges in depth and propose a tailored approach.

Each project is evaluated on a custom basis, depending on its scope, complexity and the expertise involved. As a general guide, a custom showcase website starts around CHF 3,000, while more complex projects (e-commerce, multilingual, web application) range from CHF 8,000 to CHF 25,000+. We always provide a detailed, transparent quote before starting, no surprises along the way.

The price depends heavily on the project type and the method used. A site built on a platform like Wix or Squarespace may cost a few hundred francs, but with significant limitations in terms of performance, SEO and customization. A custom code-built showcase website typically ranges from CHF 3,000 to CHF 8,000. For e-commerce or web applications, expect CHF 8,000 to CHF 25,000+. The investment reflects the technical quality, longevity and real value the site brings to your business.

Look at actual work, not just promises. A good partner should be able to show you completed projects, clearly explain their process and be transparent about pricing. Ask yourself: do I understand what they're offering? Am I speaking with the people who will actually do the work? Are the sites they've built fast, clear and well-ranked? The answers to these questions are worth more than any ranking or label.