How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
A realistic timeline from kickoff to launch — and what tends to cause delays.
Website Design18 min read
/ Key takeaways
- →Most small business sites take 4–8 weeks from kickoff to launch.
- →Content and feedback delays are the biggest timeline risk.
- →Larger e-commerce or custom builds can run 8–16 weeks.
/ In this article
A complete outline of what this guide covers. Each section is being expanded into full detail — bookmark it and check back.
01The phases of a website project
- →Discovery
- →Design
- →Build
- →Launch
02Typical timelines by site type
03What slows projects down
04How to speed up your build
05Planning around your launch date
/ FAQ
Common questions.
- Can a website be built in a week?
- A simple one-page site can, but most business sites need 4–8 weeks for proper strategy, design, and testing.
- What causes website delays?
- Slow content delivery, scope changes, and delayed feedback are the most common causes.
- How can I keep my project on schedule?
- Prepare content early, consolidate feedback, and assign one decision-maker on your side.
/ Related reading
Keep going.
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Read →Website DesignCustom Website vs Template: Which Is Right?
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