How long does it take to build a website?

What determines the duration

• Scope: more pages and sections mean more structure, design and review.
• State of the content: if copy and photos are ready, it goes faster than if they have to be created.
• Feedback rounds: every round of approval takes time – quick, bundled feedback shortens the way.
• Languages: every additional language means more copy and review.
• Features: forms, booking, a blog or integrations add effort.

Where time is lost most often

Rarely is it the technology. Usually it is missing content, open decisions and feedback that takes longer than planned. That is normal – if you know it, you can plan for it. What to prepare is described in the article What do you need for a website?: you do not need to have everything ready at the start, but copy and images should be at hand by the implementation phase at the latest.

The phases of a project

A project runs in four steps: understand the goal, plan the structure, design and development, launch and further development. What happens in each step is described on the page How your website is created. The time is not distributed evenly: at the start there is thinking and alignment, in the middle design and building, at the end testing and sign-off.

How to keep your project moving

• Clarify beforehand who decides and signs off.
• Collect logo, photos and key information early.
• Give feedback in bundles rather than in many small steps.
• Keep the scope lean at first launch – a website can grow.

And after launch?

After launch, Google needs its own time to discover new pages. Why this sometimes takes longer and what you can check is in the article Why is my website not found on Google?.