Digital checklist for new Swiss SMEs: everything you need in the first 90 days

Starting a new SME in Switzerland is an exciting step, but also a complex one. In the first months of business, the decisions you take on digital, administrative and organisational matters have a direct impact on efficiency, costs and future growth.
Many entrepreneurs rightly focus on their product and customers but neglect a solid digital structure, which matters from day one.

This digital checklist is designed to guide new Swiss SMEs through their first 90 days, covering four key areas: IT, administration, marketing and security.

IT: the technological foundations of the business

In the first days of business it is essential to build an IT infrastructure that is reliable, scalable and secure.

What to set up straight away

• A professional email address on your company domain
• User and access management (who can access what)
• Shared storage for documents and files
• Configured workstations (PCs, laptops, smartphones)

A common mistake is to use personal or free tools without a business logic behind them. This quickly leads to security problems, data loss and operational confusion.

In the first 90 days it is important to think about future growth already, choosing solutions that can evolve with the business.

Administration: organisation and control from the outset

Poorly structured administration causes problems within just a few months. Digitalising these processes straight away saves time and reduces errors.

Key elements to put in place

• A digital invoicing system (even though e-invoicing is not mandatory)
• VAT management (effective rate or net tax rate method)
• A digital document archive
• A link between your bank and your accounts

In the first 90 days you need a clear view of income, expenses and deadlines, without chasing Excel sheets or paper documents.

Good administrative organisation at the start avoids costly corrective work later on.

Marketing: being visible from the start

Even the best idea will not work if nobody knows about it. Digital marketing should start straight away, even in a simple but consistent form.

Essential activities

• A showcase website with clear information and contact details
• An optimised Google Business Profile
• A presence on the right social channels (not all of them, just the useful ones)
• A business email address for professional communications

In the first 90 days a few things are enough:

• a consistent image
• clear messages
• well-managed channels

Being easy to find online builds trust and speeds up your first business opportunities.

Security: often ignored, but essential

Digital security is one of the most underestimated aspects for new SMEs, and also one of the most critical.

What you cannot do without

• Automatic data backups
• Antivirus protection and updates
• Strong passwords and access management
• Awareness of cyber risks

In Switzerland, the nFADP requires appropriate measures to protect personal data. Even a small company is liable if data is lost or breached.

The first 90 days are the ideal time to establish good practices, before the business grows and everything becomes more complex.

Why the first 90 days are decisive

Many of the digital problems SMEs face stem from hasty choices or the lack of an initial vision. In the first three months you decide:

• how efficient the business will be
• how secure it will be
• how ready it will be to grow

Investing time in your initial digital structure saves time, stress and money in the medium to long term.

easy4you: one partner to get off on the right foot

easy4you supports new Swiss SMEs in building and organising their entire digital ecosystem, guiding the entrepreneur through every early stage.

We can help you:

• structure your IT and digital tools
• set up efficient administrative processes
• improve your online presence
• secure your data and access

Our aim is to let you concentrate on your business while we take care of the technical, organisational and digital side.

Conclusion

Starting an SME without a clear digital checklist means exposing yourself to unnecessary risks and missing opportunities.
The first 90 days are the perfect time to build solid, efficient and secure foundations.

Do you want to go fully digital, or find out whether your new SME is still missing something?
Contact us for a free appointment: we will look at your situation together and tell you what is missing.