Showcase Site vs Custom Site: What to Choose for Your Craft Business in Bulle?

You're a craftsperson in Bulle or the Gruyère region? Carpenter, baker, hairdresser, florist, electrician… You know you need a website, but you're torn between a simple showcase site and a custom site. This guide helps you make the right choice.

The Showcase Site: The Essentials, Done Well

What is it?

A showcase site is a simple site (1 to 5 pages) that presents your business, contact details and services. No complex features — just the essentials.

Who is it for?

• Craftspeople who want to be found on Google
• Shops that need an online business card
• Professionals starting out with a limited budget

Advantages

• Quick to create (1–2 weeks)
• Controlled budget (from CHF 1,500)
• Easy to maintain
• Sufficient for basic local SEO

Limitations

• No interactive features (booking, payment, etc.)
• Design based on adapted templates
• Limited scalability

The Custom Site: Tailored to Your Needs

What is it?

A custom site is developed specifically for your business. Unique design, personalised features, architecture designed for your trade.

Who is it for?

• Craftspeople with specific needs (online quotes, portfolio gallery, appointment booking)
• Businesses that want to stand out visually
• Activities requiring multilingual support (French + German given proximity to the Mittelland)

Advantages

• Unique design that reflects your identity
• Custom features based on your needs
• Advanced SEO for better positioning
• Scalable: can grow with your business

Limitations

• Higher budget (from CHF 4,500)
• Longer timeline (3–5 weeks)
• Requires a skilled provider

How to Choose?

Ask yourself these questions:

Question	If yes →	If no →
Do I need online booking?	Custom	Showcase
Is my business visual (photos, portfolio)?	Custom	Showcase
Do I need 2+ languages?	Custom	Showcase
Is my budget under CHF 3,000?	Showcase	Custom possible
Do my competitors have great sites?	Custom	Showcase sufficient

The Middle Ground: The Essential Site

At nickel., we offer an ideal middle-ground plan for craftspeople in Bulle:

The Essential site (from CHF 2,500) offers:

• 3 to 5 customised pages
• Design tailored to your identity
• Basic SEO included
• 1 month of support
• Delivered in 2–3 weeks

It's the best balance between quality and budget for most craftspeople.

Concrete Examples in Bulle and Gruyère

The carpenter

• Need: showcase their work, receive quote requests
• Solution: Essential site with photo gallery and detailed contact form
• Budget: ~CHF 2,500

The artisan bakery

• Need: present products, opening hours, location
• Solution: 1-page showcase site with Google Maps integration
• Budget: ~CHF 1,500

The hair salon

• Need: online appointment booking, before/after gallery
• Solution: custom site with booking system integration
• Budget: ~CHF 4,500

Bulle: A Growing Economic Hub

The town of Bulle and the Gruyère district are experiencing sustained demographic and economic growth. More and more customers search for craftspeople online rather than in the Yellow Pages. Having a website is no longer a luxury — it's a business necessity.

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you opt for a showcase or custom site, the important thing is to start. Every day without a website means potential customers who can't find you.

Compare our offers in detail · Discuss your project