How Long Does a Website Take to Build?
A simple small business website takes 1-2 weeks from the first conversation to launch, and a Simple Site is a fixed £500 from day one. More complex business sites, shops, and web apps depend on scope. Scope, timeline, and a fixed price are agreed before the build starts, so you know the schedule from the start.
Timeline by Project Type
Same process, different scale — here is how long each tier typically takes.
Simple Site
1-2 weeks
A fixed 3-5 page site. Discovery, wireframes, build, and launch fit inside 1-2 weeks when content is ready.
from £500
Business Site
Typically a few weeks
The extra time is the CMS: dashboard setup, migrating or writing your starting content, and a walkthrough so you can edit confidently.
from £1,000
Online Shop
Typically longer — scope-dependent
Products, cart, and checkout all need building and testing, and Stripe account setup adds real time if it is not started early.
from £2,000
Custom Web App
Quoted to scope
Custom web apps depend entirely on the specification. Scope, timeline, and a fixed price are agreed before the build starts.
from £3,000+
What Happens, Week by Week
Every build follows the same five stages.
01 — Discovery Call
Day 1-3A quick 30 minute call to understand your business, goals, and audience.
02 — Design & Wireframing
Day 3-7Wireframes and a sitemap show the layout and flow before coding starts.
03 — Build & Develop
Day 7-21, depending on scopeThe site is built with Next.js, Tailwind, and TypeScript.
04 — Launch
Day +1 post-approvalFinal review and sign-off.
05 — Post-Launch
Ongoing30 days of bug-fix support is included with every build.
What Slows a Build Down
Almost every late launch traces back to one of these.
The fastest builds are the ones where all of the content exists before day one. If you already have your text and photos ready, a Simple Site moves quickly.
Wondering what it will cost? Read how much a small business website costs in the UK for a tier-by-tier price breakdown.
Questions
How long does a website take to build?
A Simple Site takes 1-2 weeks from the first conversation to launch. More complex business sites, shops, and web apps depend on scope.
How long does each stage of the build take?
Discovery runs days 1-3, design and wireframing days 3-7, and the build itself days 7-21 depending on scope. Launch happens about a day after final approval, once the domain, hosting, and deployment are set up.
What slows a website build down?
The usual culprits are content that is not ready, slow feedback on review rounds, and changes to scope after the build has started. Third-party accounts, such as the domain registrar or a Stripe account for shops, can also add delays if they are not arranged early.
Can a website be built faster?
Yes. A Simple Site is already 1-2 weeks, and builds move quickest when text, photos, and approvals come back promptly. The fastest builds are the ones where all of the content exists before day one.
How long do larger projects take?
More complex business sites, shops, and web apps depend on scope. Scope, timeline, and a fixed price are agreed before the build starts, so you know the schedule up front rather than finding out part-way through.
Got a project in mind?
Tell me what you need and I'll let you know if I can build it, how long it'll take, and what it'll cost. No obligation.