A realistic timeline
A simple business website — five to eight pages, your content ready — typically takes one to two weeks. Larger sites with e-commerce, custom features or many pages take three to six weeks. These are working timelines assuming feedback comes back reasonably quickly.
What actually takes the time
Surprisingly, it is rarely the coding. Writing your service descriptions, choosing photos, and approving designs are the steps that stretch projects. The build itself moves fast once content and direction are agreed.
- Content and photos: often the longest wait
- Design approval: one focused round of feedback beats five slow ones
- Features: payments, booking and custom forms add build time
- Revisions: clear feedback keeps these short
How to make your project faster
Gather your logo, photos, service list and contact details before the project starts. Decide who gives final approval. Answer questions within a day or two. These three things cut most delays.
Beware of 'website in 24 hours' promises
A site assembled in a day is a template with your name pasted in. It can be a reasonable quick start, but do not pay custom prices for it, and do not expect it to stand out or rank well without further work.
In short
One to two weeks is realistic for a small business site — if your content is ready and feedback is quick.
Read next on this site