How Long Does It Take To Create A Website

Website Development: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you wondering how long it takes to create a website? Well, you’re in luck, because this blog covers everything you need to know, from how long it’ll take to do it on your own versus hiring a professional.

Learn about the different stages of website creation, including conceptualizing your website, choosing a website builder, preparing content, and customizing design.

We also provide an overview of the average time it takes for each website-building phase and factors that can impact the timeline.

DIY Website Building vs. Hiring a Web Designer

Are you considering building your own website or hiring a web designer? If you build a website on your own, it’ll be cost-effective and it’ll allow you to have full control over the design and content.

However, it can also take longer and require a certain level of technical skill. Hiring a web designer, on the other hand, can save you time and ensure a professional result, but the cost for a new website might be higher.

They can also give you valuable expertise such as picking the right web hosting company, where to buy a domain, setting up your email, etc.

In this guide, we will explore the pros and cons of both options, as well as the average costs to help you make the best decision for your business.

With our guide, you can make sure your website is designed to the best of your preference.

(DIY Option): How Long Does it Take to Build a Website Using a Web Builder Platform?

“How Long Does it Take to Build a Website Using a Web Builder Platform?” is an important question for anyone looking to create a website. The answer varies depending on the complexity of the website and the amount of content and customization required.

On average, it can take between 2 to 6 weeks to build a website using a web builder platform. The time frame includes steps like conceptualizing your website, choosing a web builder, preparing content, designing, testing, and publishing.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are rough estimates, and the actual time may vary.

Our guide breaks down the process and the average time for each step to help you plan and optimize your website creation timeline.

Conceptualizing Your Website: (1-2 weeks)

The 1st phase is always an exciting stage in the web design process! This is the phase where you get to define the purpose and goals of your website.

You’ll have the opportunity to identify your target audience, and create a clear plan for how your website will meet the needs of your visitors.

It typically takes 1-2 weeks to come up with a solid concept and determine the main elements of your website.

Choosing Between Website Builders: (1 day to 1 week)

This is the phase where you get to select the content management system and website builder that will bring your website to life. With a plethora of website builders available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

If you’re building a WordPress website, you can use a page builder like Elementor or a theme like Divi that includes an all-inclusive page builder in it. These types of tools will help you deliver a WordPress site worthy to show off.

However, this step typically takes only a day to a week to complete, as you will research, compare and select the best website builder that suits your needs, budget and technical skills.

Preparing Website Content: (1-2 weeks)

In this phase you’ll get to craft the message and story that you want to convey through your website. It typically takes 1-2 weeks to plan, research, write and edit the content for your website.

This step of the building process is important as it helps you to define your brand’s voice, and ensure that your website is able to effectively communicate with your target audience.

Part of preparing your content means working on the structure of your website, including the main sections and pages, and creating the necessary content for each page.

It also involves creating a content strategy that aligns with your business goals and target audience’s needs.

Defining Website Layout: (1-3 weeks)

This step is where you get to bring your website to life by creating a visually appealing and intuitive layout for your website. It typically takes 1-3 weeks to design the layout and structure of your website, including determining the placement of elements like text, images, videos, and buttons.

When you begin to structure your website, you need to keep UX in mind so that you can create a good experience for your visitors.

This means testing out your site on desktop, tablets, and especially mobile devices. One of the latest Pew Research Center studies shows that 97% of Americans own a cellphone of some kind, with 85% of them owning a smart phone. That means people will be most likely viewing your site from a mobile device, hence the importance of UX design.

During this step, you’ll work on creating wireframes and mockups of your website, which will serve as a visual guide for the final design.

You’ll also work on the navigation and information architecture of your website, which helps in ensuring that your website is easy to use, navigate, and understand.

Customizing Website Design: (2-4 weeks)

This is where branding begins. This custom website design phase is where you get to bring your website to life by adding your personal touch and branding to the website layout.

It typically takes 2-4 weeks to customize the design of your website, including choosing the color scheme, typography, and other design elements that will help to create a unique and visually appealing website.

This step is important since it involves creating a memorable brand identity for your custom website, which will help increase your brand recognition and trust with your visitors.

During this step, you’ll work on creating a cohesive design that aligns with your brand’s personality and style.

Testing and Publishing: (1-2 weeks)

It typically takes 1-2 weeks to test your website, fix any bugs and make any necessary adjustments, before publishing it live on the internet.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is functioning correctly, and that the user experience is optimal. During this step, you’ll run tests to check the website’s responsiveness, load time, and compatibility with different browsers and devices.

You’ll also review the website’s content, design and overall functionality to ensure it meets the original goals.

By taking the time to carefully test and publish your website, you’ll be able to ensure that your website is polished and ready to provide a seamless experience for your visitors.

Professional Web Development: How Long Does it Take?

The website development process varies depending on the complexity of the website, and the amount of content and customization required. According to a web design survey by GoodFirms, it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months to build your future website with the help of a professional web development company (for tips on choosing the right web design company, read “20 Tips On How To Choose A Web Design Company In 2023.”)

This time frame includes steps like setting development goals, finding a developer, initial communication, creating an action plan, designing mockups, main development, final review and testing, and the official launch of the website.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are rough estimates and the actual time may vary. WordPress websites may have a different timeline than sites from Webflow or custom coded. So there is no single number we can offer.

We’ll further break down the web development process and average time for each step to help you understand the full scope of a professional web development project.

Setting Development Goals: (1-2 weeks)

The first step of the website development process is to jot down your goals. It typically takes one to two weeks to set clear and measurable goals for your website, including determining the key features and functionality that are necessary for your website to achieve its purpose.

During this step, you’ll work with a web development team to identify the main objectives of your website and the key features and functionalities that are necessary to achieve those objectives.

Finding a Website Development Team: (1-4 weeks)

Finding the right website development team for your web project is an important part of the website building process. It typically takes 1-4 weeks, as you will research, compare, and select the best website developer that fits your needs and budget.

During this step, you’ll research and compare different developers, and review their portfolios, testimonials, and case studies to make an informed decision.

You’ll be able to find out what CMS their familiar with (Creating a WordPress website is typically the most popular choice), and you’ll get an ETA on their web development timeline.

You’ll also discuss your project’s needs and budgets to ensure both parties are on board. By taking the time to carefully find the right developer, you’ll be able to ensure that your website building process gets off on the right start.

Initial Communication and Goal Setting With Professional Agency: (1-3 weeks)

Once you’ve selected the right web design team, you’ll move onto the next design phase which is goal setting. It typically takes 1-3 weeks to set up an initial meeting, have a detailed discussion about the project’s goals, and establish a clear scope of work and a timeline for the development process.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that both parties are on the same page, and that the project is executed in a timely and efficient manner. During this step, you’ll work with the developer to establish the project’s scope, goals, and milestones.

You’ll also discuss the communication channels and protocols, and establish a clear timeline for the project. So if you’re wondering when you can ask, “How long does it take,” this is it.

Creating an Action Plan: (1-2 weeks)

This is the phase where you get to plan out the specific actions and tasks that need to be taken in order to achieve your website’s development goals.

It typically takes one to two weeks to create an action plan that outlines the specific steps, tasks, and milestones that need to be achieved during the development process.

This step is important as it helps to ensure that the development process is organized and efficient.

During this step, you’ll work with the web developer to create a detailed project plan that includes a timeline, budget, and a list of specific tasks and milestones.

This plan will serve as a guide throughout the development process and help to ensure that the project stays on track.

Discovery Phase

The discovery phase is all about digging deep into understanding your business. This process will help your developer build a website that isn’t just a basic website, but one that is is optimised for SEO (search engine optimization).

It takes around one to two weeks to complete this phase, during which you will conduct research, analyze data and gather information to identify the key challenges, opportunities and goals for your website.

This step is important as it helps to ensure that the website is aligned with your business goals and target audience’s needs.

During this phase, you’ll work with the web developers to conduct research, surveys, and user interviews to gain insights into your audience’s behavior, preferences and needs.

You’ll also analyze your competitors, industry trends and your own business data to identify opportunities and challenges that will help your developer build a website to your standards.

Designing Website Mockups: (1-3 weeks)

If you were doing your own website then you’d be figuring out which website builder to use right now, but when hiring a developer you won’t need to worry about that.

It typically takes 1-3 weeks to design website mockups and web pages which are detailed visual representations of your website’s layout, design and functionality.

When you build a website, this is always the first step since it lays the foundation that the rest of your site will live off of.

You’ll also be able to review and make requests to the mockup in order to make sure the design aligns with your vision behind the entire process.

Main Development Process: (1-2 months)

This is the phase where your developer brings your website to life by coding and implementing all the design and functional elements.

Whether they’re using a website builder or coding the entire site, it typically takes 1-2 months to complete this stage, during which the developer will work on creating the necessary code and functionality to make the website operational.

To build a website that is functional and works properly across various devices, your developer must take their time to get it right.

During this time, your developer will deal with tasks such as creating the back-end and front-end, integrating the design and layout, and creating the necessary functionality to make the website operational.

Content Creation

One of the most important steps in the development process is content creation. It typically takes several weeks to create the content for your website, including writing and editing the text, creating images and videos, and choosing the appropriate tone and style.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is engaging and informative for your visitors.

During this step, you’ll work with a team of writers, designers and content creators to produce high-quality and engaging content that aligns with your website’s goals and the needs of your target audience.

You’ll also review and make revisions to the content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and easy to understand.

Web Design

It typically takes several weeks to create the web design, including choosing the colors, typography, layout, images, and other visual elements that will be used to create the overall look and feel of your website.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is visually appealing and easy to navigate for your visitors.

During this step, you’ll work with a web designer to create the visual design for your website, which will include elements such as color schemes, typography, layout, images, and other visual elements.

UI/UX Design

Whether it’s a small business website, a blog, an ecommerce website, or just a personal portfolio, UI/UX is crucial. It typically takes several weeks to design the UI/UX of a website, including creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes to test the usability and functionality of the website.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is user-friendly and easy to navigate for your visitors.

During this step, you’ll work with a UI/UX designer to create wireframes, mockups and prototypes of your website, which will be used to test the usability and functionality of your small business website.

Web Development

This is the phase where your website comes to life by coding and implementing the design, functionality and features such as content management systems.

It typically takes several weeks to complete the web development stage, during which the developer will work on creating the necessary code and functionality to make the website operational.

To build a website that works and functions, your developer needs to ensure that every page, button and link is working properly. This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is functional, responsive and easy to use.

Final Review: (1-2 weeks)

This is the phase where you get to review and test the website before it goes live. It typically takes 1-2 weeks to complete the final review, during which you will test the website’s functionality, speed, and content quality.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that the website is ready for launch and will provide a positive user experience for your visitors.

During this step, you’ll work with the development team to test the website’s functionality, speed, and content quality.

You’ll also review the website’s design, layout, and user experience to ensure that it aligns with the project’s goals and the user’s needs.

Testing and Modifications

It typically takes several days to complete the testing and modification process.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that the website is fully functional, user-friendly and providing a positive user experience for your visitors.

Site Speed Optimization

This is the phase where you will optimize the website’s speed, so that it loads quickly and efficiently for users. It typically takes several days to complete the site speed optimization process.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is fast and responsive, providing a positive user experience for your visitors.

During this step, you will use tools to measure and analyze the website’s loading speed, and make any necessary modifications to optimize the speed.

This can include things like compressing images, minifying code, and reducing the number of HTTP requests.

By taking the time to carefully optimize the site speed, you’ll be able to ensure that your website loads quickly and efficiently for users, which will help to keep visitors engaged and increase the chances of conversion.

Content Quality Check

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website’s content is high-quality, relevant and informative for your visitors.

During this step, you’ll review the website’s content, making sure it is accurate, easy to understand and engaging for the target audience. You may also make revisions to the content, to ensure it aligns with your website’s goals and the needs of your target audience.

By taking the time to carefully review and check the quality of your website’s content, you’ll be able to ensure that it effectively communicates your message and provides a positive user experience for your visitors.

Website Launch

This is the phase where your website finally goes live and is accessible to the world. It typically takes several days to complete the website launch process, during which you will make the website live and promote it to your target audience.

This step is important as it will help to ensure that your website is accessible to your target audience, and you will start to see results from your hard work.

During this step, you’ll work with your team to make the website live, and promote it to your target audience.

This can include things like creating launch campaigns, updating social media profiles, and submitting the website to search engines.

Average Time to Build a Website: What to Expect

So as you’ve seen from the content above, the average time to build a website can vary depending on a number of factors such as the complexity of the website, the services being provided, the goal of the website and the clarity of the requirements.

Typically, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to build a website, with some more complex projects taking even longer.

It is important to understand that building a website is not a one-size-fits-all process, and the time it takes to complete can vary depending on the specific project.

However, with this guide, you have all the information you need to understand the average time to build a website, the factors that can affect it and what to expect.

Factors that Impact the Timeline of the Website Creation Process

The website creation process can be affected by various factors such as the complexity of the website, the services being provided, the goal of the website and the clarity of the requirements (site builder, how many pages of content, etc.). A typical website though will take roughly 6 to 8 weeks.

A new website with a simple design, clear goals, and well-defined requirements will take less time to build than a more complex website with multiple features and services. If you have a simple website or a few landing pages, then your timeline will be just a few weeks.

If it’s an online store with a few products then you can expect it to be up in one to two weeks, but if you’re developing something more complex that requires a longer development phase, then your timeline will be extended.

Custom websites or a multi page website will also extend your timeline. The most popular website builders out in the market can help expedite the development phase for a custom site.