How Long Does It Actually Take to Build a Website?
How long does it take to build a website? The answer depends on design, features, and development needs. At SEO Exponent BD, we guide you through the website building timeline so you know what to expect before starting your project.
Ever wondered, “How long will building my website really take?” You’re not alone. The truth? It varies—widely. Launching a simple landing page might be a quick weekend project. Crafting a custom, feature-rich e-commerce site? That could stretch months. Let’s dive into what affects the timeline and what you can expect at each stage.
Realistic Website Build Timelines
- Simple Websites & DIY Builders
Website builders (Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, etc.): You can launch a basic site—often within 10 to 20 hours, or even 30–50 minutes using fully AI-assisted tools .
TechRadar notes that with your content ready, builders can get you live in under an hour .
Estimated timeline: A few hours to a couple of days.
- Small Business or Multi-Page Sites
A one-page site: 1–2 weeks
Small business websites: 4–6 weeks
Multi-page corporate sites: 6–8 weeks
Forbes Advisor’s breakdown: Planning (2–3 weeks), Content (4–6 weeks), Design (2–3 weeks), Testing (1–2 weeks) → 10–14 weeks overall .
Agency-built small sites: 4–6 weeks; moderate complexity: 2–3 months; complex sites: 3–6+ months .
Estimated timeline: 2 weeks to 3 months, depending on complexity.
- Custom or E-commerce Sites
Web development timelines: Simple sites can be done in 50–100 hours, mid-level: 120–250 hours, complex web apps: 300–800 hours .
HubSpot reports professional builds often take 5–6 months, while DIY options can cut that to 1–2 weeks .
GoDaddy indicates the planning phase alone may last up to 2 weeks, longer for intricate projects .
Post-planning: design (1–2 weeks), content creation (1–3 weeks), dev (1–2 months) .
Estimated timeline: 3 to 6+ months, sometimes more for highly customized platforms.
What Real Developers Say (Via Reddit)
“If all content is neatly supplied … 4-5 pages can be one day’s work… more realistic is 3-5 days.”
“Small business? Four to twelve weeks. E-commerce? Three to nine months.”
“Easy page… one day to one week. Small business site… two to six weeks. E-commerce… three to six months or more.”
These real-world experiences echo the numbers above, confirming that content readiness, project scope, and complexity are the biggest timeline drivers.
Why Timelines Vary (and What Affects Them)
Factor Impact
Type of Site Landing page vs. small business vs. e-commerce vs. web app
Content Readiness Having copy/images ready upfront speeds things significantly
Design Complexity Templates are fast; custom UX, animations, and interactivity take longer
Platform/Tool Builders = fast; CMS/custom development = longer time
Feedback Rounds Delayed reviews elongate the timeline
Team & Expertise Experienced professionals move faster; client revisions slow things
Human-Touch Wrap-Up
Building a website is like planning a journey. A simple trip (landing page) might take an afternoon—easy and quick. But a complex road trip (e-commerce, custom apps)—that needs preparation, checkpoints, detours, and maybe unexpected delays.
Quick launch? Use a builder and be live in hours or a day.
Balanced route? Small business site with moderate customisation—plan for 4–8 weeks.
Long-haul journey? Fully custom or e-commerce—expect 3–6+ months.
How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?
One of the most common questions is: how long does it take to build a website? The answer depends on size, complexity, and the overall goals of the project. While some websites can be completed quickly, others require more time for design, content, and testing.
Small Business or Agency-Built Sites (4–6 Weeks)
For small businesses or personal brands, a basic website with limited pages can often be built within 4–6 weeks. This timeline usually covers planning, design, development, and a short testing phase.
Moderate Complexity Websites (2–3 Months)
On the other hand, websites that need custom features—such as booking systems, payment gateways, or membership options—take longer. Typically, these projects range from 2–3 months, as they require more detailed design and development work.
Complex Websites and Large Projects (3–6+ Months)
Finally, highly complex websites, such as eCommerce platforms or large-scale corporate sites, may take 3–6 months or more. These projects involve multiple integrations, advanced security, and extensive testing before launch.
Why Work with SEO Exponent BD
At SEO Exponent BD, we streamline the process by guiding clients step by step. Moreover, our team ensures efficiency without sacrificing quality, so your website is delivered on time and built to achieve long-term results.