How Long Does It Take to Design a Website?
A realistic timeline breakdown for every type of web design project — from simple landing pages to complex e-commerce stores.
Web Design Timeline Overview
Design timelines depend on project complexity, your feedback speed, and content readiness. Here are realistic ranges for the design phase only (not including development):
- Landing Page Design - 1-2 weeks
- Basic Website (5-8 pages) - 2-4 weeks
- Custom Business Website (10-20 pages) - 4-8 weeks
- E-commerce Website Design - 6-12 weeks
- Web Application / SaaS UI Design - 8-16+ weeks
- Website Redesign - 3-8 weeks (depending on scope)
These are design-phase durations. Full project delivery (design + development + QA) typically adds 4-10 weeks on top, depending on the technology stack and feature complexity.
Phase-by-Phase Design Timeline
Discovery & Research (3-5 days)
Understanding your business, audience, competitors, and goals. This includes stakeholder interviews, brand review, content audit, and defining design requirements.
Wireframes & Architecture (3-7 days)
Creating low-fidelity layouts for every page type. Establishing navigation structure, content hierarchy, and user flow before visual design begins.
Visual Design (5-15 days)
Designing the homepage and key pages in full fidelity. Applying brand colors, typography, imagery, and interactive elements. This includes desktop and mobile designs.
Revision Rounds (3-10 days)
Typically 2-3 rounds of client feedback and refinement. Faster feedback and consolidated reviews shorten this phase significantly. This is often the most variable phase.
Prototyping & Handoff (2-5 days)
Creating interactive prototypes for client approval and detailed design specs for development. Includes responsive breakpoints, interaction states, and design system documentation.
Design QA (2-3 days)
Reviewing the developed site against original designs. Verifying spacing, colors, fonts, responsive behavior, and interaction fidelity. This phase happens during development.
What Affects Web Design Timeline
- Page count and complexity - 5 simple pages vs 30 pages with unique layouts can 4x the timeline.
- Content readiness - Missing copy, photos, or brand assets can delay design by weeks. Having content ready before design starts saves significant time.
- Feedback speed - Agencies budget 2-3 business days for client feedback per round. Faster responses compress the timeline.
- Number of stakeholders - More decision-makers means more opinions and longer revision cycles. Designating one point of contact with final authority accelerates reviews.
- Custom illustrations and photography - Custom assets add 1-3 weeks to the design timeline compared to stock photography and standard graphics.
- Brand identity needs - If you need logo and brand identity design before the website, add 2-4 weeks to the front of the project.
Tips to Speed Up Your Web Design Project
- Prepare content first - Write copy, gather photos, and finalize your brand assets before the design phase begins.
- Share design inspiration - Provide 3-5 websites you like so the designer understands your style preferences from day one.
- Consolidate feedback - Collect all stakeholder input into one organized document per revision round rather than sending feedback in pieces.
- Set internal deadlines - Commit to 48-hour review turnarounds. Each day of delayed feedback extends the project by at least that much.
- Trust the process - Wireframes look rough intentionally. Do not judge visual quality at the wireframe stage — focus on layout and content flow.
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Get a Free QuoteWeb Design Timeline FAQ
How long does it take to design a website?
A simple 5-page website design takes 2-4 weeks. A custom business website with 10-20 pages takes 4-8 weeks. Complex e-commerce or web application design can take 8-16+ weeks. These timelines cover the full design phase from wireframes through final design approval.
What takes the longest in web design?
Revision cycles and content creation are typically the biggest timeline factors. A first draft can be ready in 1-2 weeks, but gathering client feedback, making revisions, and waiting for final content often doubles the timeline. Clear requirements and organized feedback shorten this significantly.
How long does a full website project take (design + development)?
Design is roughly 30-40% of the total project timeline. A 6-week design project becomes a 10-14 week total project once development, testing, and launch are added. Some design and development work overlaps, so the total is less than the sum of both phases.
Can a website be designed in 1 week?
A single landing page or very simple 3-5 page site with minimal customization can be designed in 5-7 business days. However, this requires clear requirements upfront, all content ready, fast feedback cycles, and limited revision rounds. Custom multi-page sites need more time.
How can I speed up the web design process?
Prepare your content (copy, photos, logo) before design starts. Give consolidated feedback within 24-48 hours. Set clear design preferences early using mood boards or competitor examples. Limit stakeholders in the review process. These steps can cut timeline by 25-40%.
Does website redesign take longer than a new site?
Redesigns can take longer because they require auditing the existing site, migrating content, preserving SEO, and managing redirects. However, having existing content and a clear understanding of what works and what doesn't can also accelerate certain phases. Expect similar or slightly longer timelines.