How Long Does a Business Website Take to Build?
One of the most common questions I get asked by potential clients is, “how long will it take to build a website for my business?”
The answer, as you might expect, isn’t straightforward—it depends. But don’t worry! In this blog post, we’ll break down the key factors that influence the timeline for building a business website, so you can plan your project effectively and ensure it’s done right the first time.
Watch the video
Check out the YouTube video below 👇
What Is a Business Website?
A business website serves as the digital storefront for your company. Whether or not you sell products directly through your site, it plays an essential role in validating your business and engaging with potential customers.
Every website, in some sense, functions as an e-commerce platform. Even if you’re not selling products, your site contributes to the sales process by providing information, showcasing your work, and making it easy for people to contact you. A business website should:
1. Tell your story.
2. Showcase what you do.
3. Provide a way for customers to get in touch (optional, but highly recommended).
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
The timeline to build a business website can range anywhere from two weeks to three months or more, depending on various factors.
Here are the seven key considerations that impact this timeline:
1. The Designer: Freelancer vs. Agency
The first thing that will impact the timescale of your web build is whether you choose to opt for a freelancer or an agency.
Freelancers are typically faster and more affordable and you'll work directly with the designer, which reduces communication delays.
Agencies meanwhile are more structured but often slower due to additional layers of communication and processes. Agencies may take 20-50% longer than freelancers for the same project.
2. The Platform
The platform you choose has a significant impact on the timeline:
No-code platforms like Squarespace or Wix are faster to deploy, often taking a couple of weeks for basic setups while custom platforms require more time due to coding and customization needs.
Squarespace strikes a balance between speed, quality, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for most businesses.
3. Number of Pages
The size of your website will have a huge impact on how long it takes to build. A single page website for example can be ready in a few days or a week, while larger sites can takes weeks and many rounds of feedback until they’re ready to launch.
4. Complexity of Features
Do you need e-commerce functionality, appointment booking, event ticketing, or custom animations? The more complex the features, the longer the build time.
For example, adding a simple contact form is a quick task but creating a custom e-commerce system with filters and categorization could take weeks or months.
To save time, define your must-have features upfront and discuss phased feature rollouts with your designer.
5. Communication
Efficient communication between you and your designer is crucial for maintaining momentum.
My two top tips for keeping communication open and quick during a web design project are:
- Provide feedback promptly (ideally within 1-2 days of receiving drafts).
- Share all necessary assets (text, images, videos, and branding materials) with your designer early in the process.
6. Rounds of Revisions
Most designers include a set number of revision rounds in their contracts. Each round can take days or even weeks, depending on the changes required. To streamline the process make sure you are clear and specific with your feedback.
Unclear or delayed feedback often leads to extra rounds, which can increase costs and extend timelines.
7. Deadlines and Budget
If you have a hard deadline, communicate it upfront. Designers can sometimes expedite the process, but this may incur additional costs. Setting realistic expectations based on your budget and desired scope is essential.
📩 Join the inner circle to get exclusive code updates
The time it takes to build your business website depends on the platform, the complexity of the design, the size of the site, and the efficiency of communication. By planning ahead, prioritizing features, and working closely with your designer, you can create a stunning and user-friendly website that meets your business needs and timeline.
Your designer
I'm Sam, an award-winning Squarespace web designer. I have worked with every type of business, building platforms for solo entrepreneurs through to multi-million dollar corporations. If you want to discuss a potential project, you can email on sam@bycrawford.com or get in touch with me here. Alternatively, you can book in a free 15-minute consultation call here.