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Nowadays, if you’ve got a business, having a website is a must. But before you get there, you’ll need to know how long it takes to build your website.
Building a website is a process that requires a lot of planning, designing, and implementation. In this article, we will explore some of the key factors that influence the timeline of website development and provide an overview of the website development process.
If you were to ask a website designer ‘how long will it take to build my website’, it might be hard for them to give you an answer. How long is a piece of string eh?
In order to work out how long your website will take to build, we need to look at the requirements of your website and also the best options for you to opt for, whether that is with an agency, freelancer or yourself.
A small website with just a few pages of content and basic functionality may take only a few weeks to build, while a larger and more complex site with custom features such as ecommerce and interactive elements can take several months or more to complete. Additionally, the timeline for building a website can be impacted by the availability of resources, such as the time and skills of the developers and designers working on the project.
The process of building a website typically involves several key stages, including planning and strategy, design, development, testing, and launch. These stages are explained in more detail below which will help you to see which aspects of the website build will take the longest.
The timeline for building a website is an important consideration for any business or individual looking to create an online presence. There are several reasons why the time it takes to build a website is important, including:
In order to know how long your website will take to build, you need to know what goes into the creation of your website. Well, here’s a deeper explanation for the website build process, looking at how long each aspect of your website build will take.
During the planning phase, the agency or freelancer will work with you to identify your website’s goals and objectives, as well as your target audience. This phase includes researching your industry and competitors, analysis, and the creation of a project plan and timeline.
The planning phase will usually take 1-2 weeks but may last longer depending on the findings of the initial research.
Once the planning phase is complete, we will move on to the design phase. During this phase, the agency will create a visual representation of your website, including the layout, colour scheme, typography, and other design elements. As a rough estimate, the design phase will take 4-6 weeks but can either be shorter or longer according to your requirements.
After the design phase is complete, the development phase commences! During this phase, the website comes to life by developing the code that reflects the designs that were created in the design phase. The development team will also test the website’s functionality, making sure that everything works correctly and that the site is compatible with different browsers and devices.
The development phase is the most important part of how long your website takes to build as this is where the site really starts to be developed and it is vital that the necessary time is allocated to this phase. Usually, the development phase take 8-12 weeks.
Depending on your requirements, you may need assistance with the content creation for your new website if you would prefer this to be provided for you.
During this stage, the website’s copy, images, and other multimedia content are created. The content must be engaging, informative, and optimised for search engines which the agency will have the expertise and experience to ensure. The amount of time it takes to create content depends on the size and complexity of the website, as well as the amount of original content that needs to be produced. Having said that, if you already have your website’s content prepared, this stage of the website build can be really straightforward and speedy!
Once the website has been developed, it is thoroughly tested to ensure that everything is working correctly. This includes testing the site’s functionality, performance, and compatibility with different devices and browsers and it goes without saying that this is a stage which cannot be overlooked or rushed. Once the testing is complete, the site is launched and made live on the internet, submitting the site to Google to notify the search engine of the new website. The testing and launch phase usually takes several days or weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the site.
When it comes to building a website, there are two main options: hiring a professional agency or a freelancer. Both options have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, and the choice ultimately comes down to the needs and goals of your project.
Whether you’re working with an agency, a freelancer, or building the site yourself, it’s important to plan ahead and establish a realistic timeline based on your specific needs and requirements. While it’s tempting to rush through the website development process in order to launch your site as quickly as possible, taking the time to plan and execute the project properly is essential for a successful outcome. Rushing through the process can lead to mistakes, missed opportunities, and ultimately a less effective website.
On the other hand, taking too long to build a website can also have negative consequences, such as missed deadlines, increased costs, and a loss of momentum and excitement for the project. It’s important to strike a balance between speed and quality in order to meet your business goals and achieve the desired outcome.
When working with an agency, you are typically working with a team of professionals who specialise in different aspects of website development. This can include designers, developers, project managers, and content creators all in-house. The advantage of working with an agency is that you have access to a wide range of expertise in one place, allowing one team to work together seamlessly to create a high-quality website.
Building a website with an agency can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project and agencies tend to work on a longer timeframe than some freelancers do. However, a typical timeline for a website built by an agency can range from 3-6 months and possibly longer if your project has a lot of aspects or complexity to it.
When working with a freelancer, you are working with an individual who specialises in website development. The advantage of working with a freelancer is that you can often get a more personalised and flexible service. Freelancers can work on your project on their own time and may be able to provide a faster turnaround than an agency as they can dedicate more time to your project.
The timeline for building a website with a freelancer can also vary depending on the size and complexity of the project. Having said that, a typical timeline for a website built by a freelancer can range from 1-3 months. This timeline includes the planning, design, development, and testing phases as discussed above.
If you don’t want to pay a freelancer or agency to build your website, it is possible to build your own website these days as website building is quite accessible.
Although it might be attractive to not pay someone to build your website, it goes without saying that building a website by yourself can be a challenging and time-consuming process, particularly if you don’t have experience in web development or design. If you want something really simple, you may be able to build this by yourself but if you’re looking for some more advanced features, this may not be possible for someone to achieve without past experience.
We do always recommend working with a website design agency who can support you through the whole process and can build your website for you. If you want to discuss your website design project in more detail, get in touch below.
The larger and more complex a website is, the longer it will take to build. Websites with more pages, advanced features, and custom functionality will require more time and resources to develop. For example, a simple brochure website with 5 pages may take 2-3 weeks to develop but on the other hand, a custom website with the ability to sell products online will take months to build.
The design and development process is another key factor that can impact the timeline for building a website. The design process involves creating the visual appearance and layout of the site, while the development process involves coding and programming the functionality of the site.
The design process can take several weeks, as designers work to create a visually appealing and user-friendly design that meets the needs of the client. The development process can take even longer, as developers work to build custom functionality and ensure that the site is compatible with different browsers and devices. is understaffed or lacks the necessary skills, the development process can take longer.
The availability of resources can also play a significant role in how long it takes to build a website. If you have a limited budget or resources, it may take longer to build a site as you wait for funds to become available or work around constraints.
Additionally, the availability of human resources can impact the timeline for building a website. If you are working with a team of designers and developers, their availability and workload can impact how long it takes to complete the project.
The level of customisation required for your website can also impact the timeline for building the site. If you need custom functionality or complex features, it may take longer to build the site as developers work to create these custom elements.
On the other hand, if you are using a pre-designed template or a simple, out-of-the-box solution, the site may be built more quickly as the developers don’t need to create custom functionality.
There are several other factors that can impact the timeline for building a website, including:
Rounding up, the timeline for building a website can vary widely depending on a variety of factors, including the size and complexity of the site, the availability of resources, and the goals and objectives of the project.
Ultimately, the timeline for building a website is a crucial consideration for anyone looking to create an online presence. By working with a skilled web development team or taking the time to plan and execute the project properly, you can ensure a successful outcome and achieve your goals for your website.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective website with a fast turnaround, we’d love to hear about your project.
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