FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything business owners ask us before getting started. Can't find your question? Just ask.
Working with a virtual assistant
What exactly does a virtual assistant from Swiss Virtual Assistant do?
Your VA works remotely as a dedicated member of your team — managing your inbox and calendar, preparing documents, keeping your CRM clean, generating leads, building automations or producing design and web work, depending on the skill set you need. You give direction; we handle recruitment, training, quality control and HR.
Why Filipino virtual assistants?
The Philippines has one of the world's largest English-speaking professional workforces, a strong service culture and decades of experience supporting Western businesses. Combined with our Swiss management layer, you get dependable talent at a cost that makes delegation worthwhile for SMEs.
Will my VA work during Swiss business hours?
Yes, by arrangement. Manila is 6 hours ahead of Switzerland and its neighbouring countries in summer and 7 hours in winter. Most of our VAs work a shifted schedule that overlaps your morning, so tasks are done when you start your day and you can still talk live before lunch.
Do your VAs speak German?
No. All our VAs work in fluent business English only — they do not speak German, French or Italian. They are a strong fit for work that runs in English: international clients, suppliers, English-language tools and internal teams that already use English.
How do you protect my data?
Every VA signs an NDA and confidentiality agreement. We set up access with role-based permissions, password managers and two-factor authentication, never shared logins. We can sign a data processing agreement aligned with the Swiss nFADP and, where applicable, the GDPR.
How quickly can I get started?
Soon after your discovery call: we shortlist candidates, you interview your favourites, and your VA starts with a structured onboarding and a 7-day trial.
What if my VA isn't the right fit?
Tell your account manager. We'll address the issue quickly and, if needed, replace your VA at no extra cost under our replacement guarantee — with a handover so your workflows don't stall.
Is there a minimum contract?
No long-term lock-in. Plans run month to month after the 7-day trial, with 30 days' notice. You can scale hours up or down as your business changes.
Pricing & contracts
What is included in the monthly price?
Your VA's dedicated hours, recruitment and vetting, onboarding, a dedicated account manager, quality reviews, HR and payroll in the Philippines, equipment and backup internet requirements, and our replacement guarantee. No hidden placement fees.
How does the 7-day trial work?
Your VA starts working on real tasks. If you're not satisfied within the first 7 days, tell us and we'll either rematch you or end the engagement.
Can I change plans later?
Yes. You can move between Starter and Growth hours or add VAs as your needs change.
Are prices subject to Swiss VAT?
Prices are shown in CHF excluding VAT where applicable.
How do you track hours?
Your VA logs time against tasks in a shared tracker, and you receive a weekly (Growth and Team) or monthly (Starter) summary.
Do you offer project-based pricing?
For defined projects — a website build, an automation set-up, a lead list — we can quote a fixed price. Use “Request a quote” and describe the scope.
Services
Can my assistant work during Swiss business hours?
Yes. We agree working hours with you during onboarding, and your assistant aligns their schedule so they are available when you need them, including Central European Time.
Do I need to pay for automation tools myself?
Yes, subscriptions such as Zapier or Make are held in your name so you keep ownership of your workflows and data. Your assistant can recommend the most cost-effective plan for your volume.
Who owns the website and its files?
You do. Domains, hosting and platform accounts stay in your name, and all files and designs produced for you belong to your business.
Do I need to provide brand guidelines?
It helps, but it is not required. If you do not have guidelines yet, your designer can document your existing colours, fonts and styles into a simple brand guide first.
Will my assistant reply on my behalf?
Only if you want them to. Many clients start with drafts for approval and then allow direct replies for routine topics once the tone and rules are agreed.
What kinds of tasks are a good fit for admin support?
Any recurring, process-driven task is a strong fit, such as data entry, document formatting or scheduling. We help you document the process during onboarding so quality stays consistent.
Is your outreach compliant with data protection rules?
We follow the approach you approve and work with business contact data for B2B outreach, including opt-out handling. You remain responsible for confirming your outreach meets the Swiss FADP and, where relevant, GDPR.
Still have questions?
Book a free 30-minute call — we'll answer them and show you exactly how working with a VA would look for your business.