How long does it take to build a website?

Short answer: a small business website usually takes 3–6 weeks from the first call to going live. An online shop takes around 6–8 weeks. The biggest factor is rarely the build itself. It's how quickly content and feedback come back.

Agencies quote very different timelines, and projects often overrun. Here's what a realistic schedule looks like, what each stage involves, and how to keep your project on track.

Typical timelines by type of site

These assume content and feedback arrive on time. Bigger or more complex projects take longer.

What happens each week

1. Discovery (week 1). A call to agree goals, pages, features and the content needed. You get a sitemap and a written plan.
2. Design (weeks 2–3). Homepage and key page designs. You review them and ask for changes, usually in two rounds.
3. Build and content (weeks 3–5). The site is built, your content is added, and forms, booking or payments are connected. You can follow progress on a private preview link.
4. Testing and launch (week 5–6). Checks on phones and browsers, speed, accessibility and forms. Redirects from your old site are set up, then the site goes live.

What slows projects down

• Content. Waiting for text, photos and product details is the most common delay by far.
• Slow feedback. A week's wait for comments at each stage can double a timeline.
• Too many decision makers. Feedback from five people who disagree takes longer to resolve than feedback from one.
• Changing the scope. New features added halfway through mean redesigning and retesting.
• Access problems. Lost logins for the domain, old hosting or email can hold up launch day.

How to keep your project on track

• Start gathering text and photos before the project begins.
• Pick one person to give feedback and make decisions.
• Set aside time to review each stage within two or three working days.
• Find your domain and hosting logins early.
• Keep a "phase two" list for new ideas, so they don't delay launch.

Our own timelines are on each service page, and every quote includes a schedule. Want to know how long yours would take? Book a free call.

Frequently asked questions

Can a website be built in a week?

A very simple template site can be. A custom-designed site with proper content, SEO and testing usually takes at least three weeks.

Does a redesign take longer than a new site?

Often slightly, because existing content needs reviewing and old URLs need redirecting so you keep your Google rankings.