Find clients and sell your products in Switzerland

Finding clients abroad is always a challenge, and business development in Switzerland is not different. You need the right contacts and once you reach the decision maker, you need the right sales pitch.

A lot of companies that want to enter the market in Switzerland do this with their general sales pitch. However, if you don’t know the local regulations, pricing levels and your competition’s product, sales meetings may be difficult to conclude successfully.

How to sell your product or service in Switzerland?

Switzerland is a special case in the center of Europe. Not being part of the EU, it has its own economic position and in general an affluent population.

This population in 2024 is estimated to be around 8.85 million. The country has witnessed a steady population growth, with a rate of 0.64% in 2024.

Known for its robust economy, Switzerland is a global financial hub with a strong focus on banking and finance. The country also has a high standard of living and a well-developed healthcare system.

Major cities include Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lausanne. Switzerland is characterized by its linguistic and cultural diversity, with four official languages: Swiss German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The country has a mix of influences from its neighboring countries: Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein.

Who actually decides?

Business development abroad fails more often on the wrong contact than on the wrong product. Decide first whether you sell to end users, to a procurement department or through a partner: each asks for a different pitch and a different price level.

Expect to adapt three things per market. The language of your materials, your proof — local references count for more than global ones — and your price positioning against the local alternatives.

Do you need help in Switzerland?

Our service providers are local specialists. They know the market, the regulations and the parties that matter, and they can support you with the steps on this page.

Ask a professional

Finding your first clients in Switzerland in three steps

Step 1

Define the target group

Describe the companies or consumers you want to reach, the budget they have and the problem you solve for them. Skip this and every later step costs more time.

Step 2

Build a list and approach

Collect 50 to 100 relevant companies, find the person who decides, and reach out in the local language by email, LinkedIn or telephone.

Step 3

Follow up and localise

Track what you hear back and sharpen the pitch on it. Add local proof: translated pages, references from the region and a local number or partner.

Find clients and sell your products in Switzerland