How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
The honest answer: 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on what you need. Here is a detailed breakdown of realistic timelines for every type of web project.
Quick Timeline Overview
Simple Business Site
5-10 pages, contact form, responsive design. Timeline: 2-4 weeks. Best for small businesses, freelancers, and professionals needing an online presence.
WordPress / CMS Site
10-30 pages, blog, custom theme, SEO setup. Timeline: 3-6 weeks. Best for businesses that need to manage their own content regularly.
E-commerce Store
Product catalog, payments, shipping, inventory. Timeline: 6-12 weeks. Depends on number of products and custom feature requirements.
Corporate Website
30-100+ pages, multiple sections, integrations, multilingual. Timeline: 8-14 weeks. More complex information architecture and stakeholder review cycles.
Web Application
User accounts, dashboards, custom logic, API integrations. Timeline: 3-6 months. SaaS platforms, portals, and marketplace-type projects.
Marketplace Platform
Multi-user, payments, reviews, admin panel. Timeline: 4-8 months. Complex projects requiring extensive testing and iteration.
What Affects the Timeline?
- Content Readiness - The #1 factor. Clients who have their text, images, and brand assets ready save 2-4 weeks. We can start design and development in parallel when content is available early.
- Project Scope & Features - Every custom feature (booking system, payment integration, user dashboards, API connections) adds time. A clear scope document prevents surprises.
- Design Complexity - Custom illustrations, animations, and unique layouts take longer than template-based designs. Highly visual brands need more design iterations.
- Feedback Speed - Fast client feedback keeps projects on track. Delayed reviews at design or development stages can add weeks to the timeline.
- Third-Party Dependencies - Domain transfers, API access, payment gateway approvals, and data from existing systems can create bottlenecks if not planned early.
- Platform Choice - WordPress sites are generally faster to build than custom-coded sites, but custom solutions offer long-term flexibility and performance advantages.
Phase-by-Phase Breakdown
Discovery & Planning (1-2 weeks)
Requirements gathering, competitor analysis, sitemap creation, technology selection, and project plan. This phase sets the foundation for everything else.
Design (1-3 weeks)
Wireframes, UI design, responsive mockups, and client approval. Includes 2 rounds of revisions. Additional revisions add time.
Development (2-10 weeks)
Front-end coding, back-end logic, CMS setup, third-party integrations, and functionality testing. The bulk of the timeline lives here.
Testing & Launch (1-2 weeks)
Cross-browser testing, mobile testing, performance optimization, SEO verification, content review, and coordinated launch.
How to Speed Up Your Project
- Prepare content early - Have your text, images, and branding assets ready before or during the design phase.
- Define scope clearly - A detailed requirements document prevents mid-project changes that delay the timeline.
- Provide fast feedback - Respond to design reviews and questions within 24-48 hours to maintain momentum.
- Designate a decision maker - Having one person who can approve designs and features avoids committee delays.
- Consider an MVP approach - Launch with core features first, then iterate. Gets you online faster and lets you gather real user feedback.
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Get a Free EstimateTimeline FAQ
How long does it take to build a simple website?
A simple brochure website with 5-10 pages typically takes 2-4 weeks from kickoff to launch. This includes design, development, content integration, and testing. Having your content ready upfront can speed up the timeline significantly.
How long does it take to build an e-commerce website?
E-commerce websites take 6-12 weeks depending on the number of products, custom features, and payment/shipping complexity. A basic WooCommerce or Shopify store with 50-200 products takes about 6-8 weeks. Custom e-commerce platforms take 10-16 weeks.
How long does a custom web application take?
Custom web applications like SaaS platforms, portals, or marketplace sites take 3-6 months. Complex enterprise applications can take 6-12 months. An MVP approach can get a functional version live in 8-12 weeks.
What delays a web development project?
The most common delays are: slow content delivery from the client, unclear or changing requirements, multiple rounds of revision beyond agreed scope, third-party integration dependencies, and waiting for client feedback. Clear communication and prepared content prevent most delays.
Can you build a website faster for an additional cost?
Yes. We offer expedited timelines with dedicated resources for urgent projects. Rush projects typically cost 25-50% more but can cut timelines by 30-40%. We can often deliver a simple website in as little as 1-2 weeks on a rush basis.
Does the timeline include content creation?
Our standard timelines assume you provide the content (text, images, logos). If you need copywriting, photography, or video production, add 1-3 weeks to the timeline. We offer content creation as an add-on service.