The Quick Answer
Most people want a simple answer. Here it is:
Simple Website
Business Website
Ecommerce Site
Custom Platform
But that's just the average. Your timeline depends on complexity, your responsiveness, and who's building it.
Website Timeline Breakdown by Type
Let's get specific. Here's how long each type of website actually takes:
Simple 5-10 Page Website
What you get: Home, About, Services, Contact, maybe a blog. Basic design, mobile-responsive, SEO basics.
Best for: Small businesses, consultants, local services
Platform: WordPress, Webflow, or custom HTML/CSS
Professional Business Website
What you get: 10-20 pages, custom design, advanced SEO, integrations (CRM, email), blog, contact forms, analytics.
Best for: Established businesses, professional services, B2B companies
Platform: WordPress with custom theme or Webflow
Ecommerce Website
What you get: Product catalog, shopping cart, payment processing, inventory management, customer accounts, shipping integration.
Best for: Online stores, retail businesses
Platform: Shopify (4-6 weeks), WooCommerce (8-10 weeks), or custom (12-16 weeks)
Custom Web Application
What you get: Custom functionality, user dashboards, database integration, API development, complex workflows.
Best for: SaaS products, membership sites, custom platforms
Platform: React, Next.js, custom backend
The 6 Phases of Website Development
Every website project goes through these phases. Understanding them helps you plan:
Phase 1: Discovery & Planning
What happens: Requirements gathering, competitor research, sitemap creation, wireframing, content strategy.
Your role: Answer questions, provide brand assets, clarify goals.
Phase 2: Design
What happens: Homepage mockup, internal page designs, mobile layouts, design revisions (usually 2-3 rounds).
Your role: Provide feedback quickly, limit revision requests.
Delays happen here: Slow feedback adds 1-2 weeks.
Phase 3: Content Creation
What happens: Copywriting, image sourcing/editing, video production, SEO optimization.
Your role: Provide content or approve written content.
Biggest bottleneck: 60% of delays happen here when clients don't have content ready.
Phase 4: Development
What happens: Front-end coding, back-end setup, CMS integration, form setup, third-party integrations.
Your role: Minimaldevelopers work independently.
Phase 5: Testing & Revisions
What happens: Cross-browser testing, mobile testing, speed optimization, bug fixes, client review.
Your role: Test the site, report issues, approve launch.
Phase 6: Launch & Post-Launch
What happens: DNS setup, SSL installation, final checks, go live, monitoring.
Your role: Approve final launch, provide access credentials.
What Affects Your Timeline
Not all websites take the same time. Here's what speeds things up or slows them down:
Factors That Speed Up Timeline
- Content ready before project starts
- Quick client feedback (within 24-48 hours)
- Clear requirements and goals upfront
- Using templates or pre-built themes
- Experienced development team
- Limited revision rounds (1-2 max)
- Simple functionality (no custom features)
Factors That Slow Down Timeline
- Waiting for client content or feedback
- Scope creep (adding features mid-project)
- Multiple stakeholders with conflicting opinions
- Custom design from scratch
- Complex integrations (CRM, APIs, custom tools)
- Unlimited revision rounds
- Poor communication
Reality Check: 70% of project delays are caused by clients, not developers. Slow feedback, missing content, and changing requirements add weeks to timelines.
Why Website Projects Get Delayed
We analyzed 500+ projects to find the most common delays:
| Delay Cause | % of Projects | Avg Time Added |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting for client content | 62% | 2-4 weeks |
| Slow client feedback | 48% | 1-3 weeks |
| Scope creep (adding features) | 35% | 2-6 weeks |
| Excessive revision requests | 28% | 1-2 weeks |
| Technical issues | 15% | 3-7 days |
| Third-party integration problems | 12% | 1-2 weeks |
How to Speed Up Your Website Build
Want your site done faster? Do these things:
Pro Tip: The fastest projects we've completed had one thing in common: clients who provided all content upfront and responded to feedback within 24 hours. This cut timelines by 40%.
Before You Start
- Write all your website copy in advance
- Gather all images, logos, and brand assets
- Define clear goals and requirements
- Get stakeholder buy-in early
- Choose your platform (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)
- Set a realistic budget
During the Project
- Respond to feedback within 24-48 hours
- Consolidate feedback from all stakeholders
- Limit design revisions to 2 rounds max
- Trust your designer's expertise
- Don't add new features mid-project
- Test the site as soon as it's available
Timeline Comparison: DIY vs. Template vs. Custom
| Approach | Timeline | Cost | Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY (Wix, Squarespace) | 1-2 weeks | $200-500/year | Basic | Hobby sites, very small businesses |
| Template-Based | 2-4 weeks | $2,000-5,000 | Good | Small businesses, startups |
| Semi-Custom | 6-8 weeks | $5,000-15,000 | Great | Established businesses |
| Fully Custom | 3-6 months | $15,000-50,000+ | Excellent | Enterprise, unique needs |
Setting Realistic Expectations
Here's the truth about website timelines:
Unrealistic: "I need a full ecommerce site in 2 weeks"
Realistic: "I need a simple 5-page site in 3 weeks, or an ecommerce site in 10 weeks"
Unrealistic: "Build it fast and cheap"
Realistic: "Fast, cheap, or goodpick two"
Unrealistic: "I'll get you content eventually"
Realistic: "Here's all the content upfront"
Warning: Agencies that promise unrealistic timelines ("5-page custom site in 1 week!") either use terrible templates, cut corners on quality, or will miss deadlines. Quality takes time.
The Fast-Cheap-Good Triangle
You can only pick two:
- Fast + Cheap = Low quality (template site, no customization)
- Fast + Good = Expensive (rush fees, more developers)
- Cheap + Good = Slow (one developer working part-time)
Need a Website Built Right?
We build high-quality websites in realistic timelines. No BS promises, no missed deadlines. Just solid work.
Get Your Free Timeline EstimateThe Bottom Line
How long does it take to build a website?
- Simple site: 2-4 weeks
- Business site: 6-8 weeks
- Ecommerce: 8-12 weeks
- Custom platform: 3-6 months
But the real answer? It depends on YOU.
Projects with prepared clients who respond quickly finish 40% faster than those who don't. Have your content ready, respond to feedback fast, and limit revisionsand you'll hit your deadline.
Final Tip: Don't rush quality for speed. A website that takes 8 weeks and converts visitors into customers is infinitely better than a 2-week site that looks pretty but makes you zero money.
About the Author: South Orange County Web Design has built 500+ websites across every industry. We know exactly how long projects takeand how to avoid delays. Our average project finishes on time because we set realistic expectations from day one.