How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?

How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?

How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?

Written By:

Author

how long does it take to build a website drawn on board in form of web layout

Did you know that over 38% of consumers say they’d leave a website if it had an outdated design? In short, if your current website is outdated, has a confusing navigational structure, or doesn’t make sense to users, it might be time to update it.

When you’re thinking about creating a website, one of the first questions you’ll need to answer, however, is how long does it take to build a website? Well, that depends on a number of factors. 

Factors that influence the time it takes to build a website include the size and complexity of the site, the experience of the team, and the availability of resources. In general, though, you can expect the process to take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Ultimately, if you’re wondering how long it will take to build your new website, the answer is that it depends. Here’s how to figure out whether it makes sense to go with a website builder or website design firm (and how long each takes).

What Goes Into Building a Website?

Building a website on your own as a business takes a bit of background knowledge. This includes HTML and CSS. However, you can also opt for a website builder like Wix, WordPress, or others that allow you to drag and drop elements into a template.

Regardless of which you opt for, the entire web design process encompasses everything from the initial planning stages to the final touches of SEO (search engine optimization). 

In between, there’s a whole lot of work to be done in terms of layout, design, content, and coding. And that’s just for a basic website! 

If you’re looking to add more complex features, such as eCommerce functionalities or a members-only area, the scope of the project can quickly become much larger.

Here’s a quick overview of the steps involved in web design if you opt to build a site with a website builder like WordPress:

  • Choose a domain name and web hosting provider
  • Install WordPress or another web design platform
  • Choose a theme for your website
  • Customize the look of your website with colors, fonts, and images
  • Add pages and posts to your website
  • Create and upload content to all pages
  • Install plugins to add functionality to your website
  • Optimize the website for mobile and tablet as well as desktop
  • Promote your website with SEO

By following these steps, you can build a professional-looking website that will help you reach your goals, whether it’s selling products or services, sharing information, or just getting your name out there.

Not sure you want to do it on your own? We totally understand. In that case, you’d opt to work with a website design firm. The process is somewhat similar but more in-depth with the inclusion of things like wireframes, custom coding, and more.

Understanding Different Types of Website Designs

When it comes to creating a website, there are many factors to consider. One of the most important is the type of web design you want to use. This greatly impacts, for example, how many hours it takes to build a 10-page website.

Overall, there are three main types of web design: static, dynamic, and responsive

  • Static web design is the simplest and most common type. It is typically HTML-based, meaning that the content on the page does not change. 
  • Dynamic web design is more complex, allowing for changes in content based on user interactions. 
  • Responsive web design is the most advanced type, adapting to different screen sizes and devices. 

Each type of web design has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.

Not sure which is right for your business? 73.1% of mobile users would leave a website if it didn’t have a responsive design. So, that helps you narrow down your choices a bit! 

However, we suggest speaking with a website design firm before deciding on a type of website for sure. The type of website you choose can affect not only usability but your budget and proposed timeline as well.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Website?

Anyone who has ever tried to build a website knows that it can be a lengthy and complicated process. There are a lot of different factors to consider, from web design and hosting to content creation and marketing. 

And even if you’re working with a professional team, it can still take weeks or even months to get everything up and running. So how long does it actually take to build a website?

The answer, of course, depends on the size and complexity of the site. A simple personal blog can usually be put together in a matter of days, but a large eCommerce site can take months to complete. 

In general, though, most websites fall somewhere in the middle. A medium-sized business site, for example, might take between five to six weeks to build. 

Of course, this is just an estimate. There are always variables that can speed up or slow down the process. To help you understand how long it takes to build a website even further, let’s break down the process via the two main options: website builder vs. website design firm.

Building a Website with a Website Builder

You can technically build your own website if you want. That’s what website builders are for.

Some web design platforms are better suited for certain types of websites, so it’s important to do your research before making a decision. And, that includes researching the ease of use of each platform. 

Wix, for example, is pretty easy to get the hang of. However, it won’t leave you with the most professional-looking website. Sure, website builders make it easy to create a pretty website without any prior web design experience. 

And most platforms provide users with a variety of templates to choose from, so you can find one that fits your vision for your site. However, they lack the custom options that a website design firm can offer you.

What’s the timeline like if you build it yourself? If you’re okay with sacrificing quality, small business sites can be up in a matter of a couple of weeks. However, if you’re unfamiliar with the platform, just learning how to use it can take months.

Web design help is hard to come by when you’re going at it alone, too. And, that doesn’t even account for web design SEO.

Building a Website with a Web Design Firm

Contrary to building a site yourself, web design firms have a lot of experience and they know how to build a website that looks good and functions well. They also have the resources to build a website quickly and efficiently. 

And if you’re not happy with the end result, web design firms are typically willing to make changes until you’re satisfied. However, how do you know if this is the right decision for you?

First, think about what kind of website you need. Are you looking for a simple informational site or something more complex like an e-commerce store?

Then, consider your budget. Some web design firms charge by the hour, while others have fixed rates for different types of projects. In most cases, the budget directly affects the timeline as well.

Do you need the website up and running ASAP, or can you afford to let the web design agency take a little more time on development?

Factors That Can Delay a Website Build

Even if you have all of your content created, budget ready, and everything else figured out, there are still a few things that can delay your website build. 

When you’re ready to build a new website, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the process and what factors could potentially delay your project. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up making changes along the way that can add additional time and cost to the project.

Here are some of the most common reasons web design projects get delayed.

Unfinished Content

In the world of web design, content is king. A well-designed website is worthless if it doesn’t have high-quality, engaging content to draw in users.

Unfinished content is one of the most common web design mistakes that can cause delays in a website build. Even if all the other elements of the site are complete, unfinished content can make the whole thing feel like it’s still a work in progress. 

It’s important to take the time to finish all your content before the design team finishes up your site. Otherwise, you run the risk of confusing visitors or giving them a sense that you’re not quite ready for them yet.

Unique Page Designs or Elements

If you’re interested in incorporating a lot of wacky and wild design elements then your timeline can be a bit longer. This includes:

  • Using bold colors and patterns to add visual interest
  • Incorporating animation or video into your pages
  • Creating hamburger menus and other interactive elements
  • Using unique typography to add personality to your site

Overall, anything out of the ordinary static page is sure to add a little bit of design time. So, keep that in mind when planning for the web design process.

Too Many People Involved

Too many cooks in the kitchen can often lead to problems when it comes to web design. 

Having too many people involved in the design process can result in a lot of conflicting ideas and opinions. This can make it difficult to make decisions and get the project done in a timely manner. 

It can also be challenging to keep everyone on the same page when there are too many people involved. Too much input can also lead to a lack of focus and clarity, which can ultimately impact the quality of the final product. 

If you’re strapped for time, it’s often best to keep the number of people involved in web design projects to a minimum. By doing so, you can help ensure that the project runs smoothly and that everyone is on the same page.

How to Speed Up the Web Design Process

Web design can be a time-consuming process, especially if you’re starting from scratch. However, there are a few tricks that can help you speed up the process and get your website up and running in no time. 

First, it’s important to have a clear vision for your website. Know what you want your website to look like and what kind of content you want to include. This will make it easier to communicate what you want to a web design agency.

Secondly, it pays to have all of your materials ready before you start. This includes having high-resolution versions of your logo ready to hand off, any photos you want to use, and your brand book with color codes and fonts.

Finally, we definitely suggest giving feedback in a timely manner. We’ve found that what often causes roadblocks is a client’s inability to provide feedback quickly (or the inability to get everybody on their team on board).

The Verdict: Web Design Firm or Website Builder?

Both web design firms and website builders have their pros and cons, so it’s important to evaluate your needs before making a decision.

If you’re looking for a custom-designed website, a web design firm is the way to go. 

You’ll work with a team of designers who will create a site that’s tailored to your business. The downside is that web design firms tend to take longer to build a website. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. In the end, you’ll get a great-looking site.

Website builders are a good option if you’re on a tight budget or you need a site up quickly. With a website builder, you can create a site yourself using pre-designed templates. The downside is that you won’t get the same level of customization as you would with a web design firm.

Get Your Dream Website

How long does it take to build a website? We hope this guide has helped you answer that question. However, we’re also here to tell you that it doesn’t really matter.

Instead, we suggest you focus on quality. If quality is what you’re after and you’ve got your eyes set on your dream website then we’re ready to chat with you!

Request a proposal today to start the web design process with us.

Request a Quote