Study: Swiss SMEs Risk Losing Business Due to Digital Gaps

Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are at risk of losing out on significant business opportunities because they are failing to meet customer expectations in the digital realm. A study titled "KMU Digital Pulse 2025," conducted by localsearch in collaboration with the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), highlights a substantial digital divide. It indicates that while 82% of the Swiss population wishes to access information about SME services online, only 36% of these SMEs maintain their own websites.

The research further emphasizes the critical role of online booking capabilities. A significant 77% of consumers desire the ability to book appointments online with SMEs, and for 56%, this digital option is a key factor in choosing a provider. However, a mere 3% of Swiss SMEs offer online booking functionality on their websites. The study also points to the rise of artificial intelligence as an information source, with one in five individuals already using AI tools like ChatGPT for service searches, a trend expected to reach 50% in the future.

Stefano Santinelli, CEO of localsearch, commented on the findings, stating, "The Swiss population is digitally ready – SMEs often are not." He added, "Those who do not build a digital bridge to their customers now will fall behind and lose trust and revenue."

To address these challenges, localsearch has introduced a new generation of its digitalONE service. This all-in-one package aims to equip SMEs with the necessary tools for a strong online presence, including website creation, online booking, e-commerce capabilities, and reputation management. The platform automates the dissemination of company information across more than 50 digital channels, encompassing search engines, AI platforms, and social media, with the goal of enhancing visibility and facilitating customer engagement with minimal effort.

DigitalONE also provides a consolidated inbox for managing customer reviews and AI-assisted tools for social media content planning and publishing. It includes an integrated booking system and customer data management features. Localsearch offers personalized support for setup and ongoing optimization. The service is already utilized by over 50,000 Swiss companies, with flexible packages starting at CHF 69 per month.