"How long does it take to build a website?" is a question we get asked all the time.
The answer, of course, depends on a variety of factors: the type and size of the website, how quickly our clients can provide feedback on proofs and content submissions, etc.
In this blog post, we will walk you through the different website builders we use at Belt Creative, the average process for a 5-page website design and development with Webflow.
Keep in mind that every agency has its own unique process - but this will give you an idea of what to expect.
First, let's go over the different types of website builders
A website is a perfect solution for building your business. At Belt Creative we primarily use Webflow and Squarespace for our site-building tools.
Webflow
Webflow is a web development platform that allows you to design, build, and launch responsive websites without writing code. It is a great platform because of its custom design flexibility, content management systems, animations, and seamless website integrations.
Webflow is more versatile than Squarespace and is one of the fastest-growing website platforms today.
Squarespace
Squarespace is a platform that enables you to create a website without any programming knowledge and it has a user-friendly interface. Squarespace is popular among small business owners, bloggers, and creative professionals.
However, keep in mind that you may be limited in terms of customization options and flexibility.
Now, let’s go over the different types of websites and their estimated timeline.
The different types of website designs that are available at Belt Creative and the standard project timelines:
- Landing Page = 1 to 2 Weeks
- Business Website = 6 to 8 Weeks
- Ecommerce Website = 8 to 12 Weeks
Landing Page
A landing page is a stand-alone page that is used in a specific marketing campaign or digital ad to capture leads. It will allow you to measure the effectiveness of your campaign by the number of people that arrive after they click your ad and what actions they take (opt-ins, purchases, etc.).
Since we are creating a single page, instead of a full website, these pages can be created quickly.
The timeline for designing and developing a landing page is usually around one to two weeks. This project timeline can be expedited if the client already has content prepared, such as written copy and images.
Business Website
A business website is a website that represents a company or individual and provides information about its products, services, or brand. It is used as an online brochure to give visitors an overview of what the company does.
A typical business website build will range from 5 pages to 20 pages. The number of pages affects the design and development time of your website.
Additional functionality like animations, integrations, and extensions can also affect the timing.
Ecommerce Website
An ecommerce website is an online store that allows customers to purchase products or services directly from the website. Customers can browse and search for items, add them to a shopping cart, and checkout using a payment method of their choice.
At a minimum, an online shopping website can take 8 weeks. The complexity of the store, the number of items for sale, and the number of pages all come into play when determining a timeline for the client.
Our Timeline for Stages of Development and Design for a Small Website
5-Page Business Website Timeline
- Discovery & Website Strategy = 2 to 7 Days
- Site Map & Content Collection = 1 to 2 Weeks
- Wireframing & Adding Content = 1 Week
- Website Design = 1 to 2 Weeks
- Website Development = 1 to 2 Weeks
- Website Edits, SEO, & Site Testing = 1 to 2 Weeks
- Launch & Training = 1 to 3 Days
Discovery & Website Strategy Session
Our project manager will have an initial consultation (usually over the phone or via video call) to learn more about your business and what you hope to achieve with your new website. She will get a brief outline of what you want your website to accomplish.
To kick off the website design process we have the client book a Website Strategy Session. This is where we go through website goals, how to measure success, inspiration, competitors, visual direction, and any additional project scope.
This stage can take 2 to 7 days depending on the client's schedule.
Sitemap & Content Collection
A sitemap is used for the planning and organization of your website content, it will provide information for specific pages and website structure.
Creating a sitemap is an important step in designing and developing a website. It helps ensure that all pages are accounted for and gives our designer and developer a clear picture of how the website will be structured.
We ask at this time for any pertinent images or files to be uploaded too. (i.e. logo files, branding guidelines, etc;). We have found this process can take 1 to 2 weeks (if not more) if the client doesn't have their content ready for the site.
Website Wireframing & Adding Content
Determining the hierarchy of your content is essential to a well-designed website.
A website wireframe is important because it:
- It helps map out the website's content and how it will be organized
- Shows how the user will interact with the site
- Determines what content goes on each page
The wireframes can be a guide for clients that don't have an initial copy. They can see what text is needed to complete the page design. The average time to wireframe a 5-page website is 1 to 2 days. We like to have the copy completed before we move into development. This can take clients 1 to 2 weeks.
Website Design
Once the content is collected and the wireframes are created for the website project, we will create the visual design of the web pages. Three page designs are created, based on the Website Strategy Session. After the design is approved by the client, the remaining pages are finished by the design team.
This usually takes 1 week, providing that there aren't any major design changes.
Two Weeks of Unlimited Edits
Once the website design is approved by the client, we allow up to 2 weeks of unlimited content edits. This means the client can make changes to the website's text, images, and layout as needed. This gives the client ample time to make adjustments before it gets passed over to the website development team.
Development
Once the designs are complete and the content is finalized, the development team starts the website building process. For this example, we will use the website builder, Webflow.
Developing a simple website in Webflow usually takes around 1 to 2 weeks.
SEO Creation & Site Testing
In order to help your website rank higher in search engines, we offer SEO (Search Engine Optimization) services.
SEO is implemented after the content is finalized on the site and integrated into the website. The website is tested on its responsiveness, functionality, overall performance, and can take 1 to 3 days to fully optimize the site.
Launch & Training
After the website is complete, we will launch. And just like that, your new website is live for the world to see! We will then provide you with a training video on how to navigate and edit your new website.
Wrapping up
The creation of websites could take a couple of weeks or months, depending on the scope of the project. Whichever approach is adopted, a good website is an important asset for any company.
Here at Belt Creative the website design and development process is customized for our clients This example will give you a better idea of the factors involved in creating a custom website for your business.
Our team doesn’t just create websites — we create results for hard-working business owners. Every website we design is 100% tailored to your business goals, whether that’s selling your services or launching an ecommerce brand. Contact our team of website experts.
Frequently asked questions about how long it takes to build a website
How many hours does it take to build a website?
It depends on a variety of factors, including the type and size of the website, the complexity of the design, how quickly you can provide feedback and approvals, and how much SEO work is needed. Generally speaking, a basic 5-page website can take around 6-8 weeks to create. If you have an ecommerce store with more than 100 products, it could take considerably longer.
How much does it cost to build a website?
The cost of building a website varies depending on your needs. The best way to find out how much a website build will cost is to contact an expert web designer for a quote.
Can you build a website in a day?
While it is possible to build a website in a day, it would be a very basic website with little functionality or design. Most websites require significantly more time and effort to build, so it is not recommended to try and rush the process.
How long does it take to build a 10-page website?
While every website design agency has its unique process, the average time it takes to build a basic website is around 6-8 weeks. However, if you have an ecommerce store with more than 100 products, it could take considerably longer.
Is there a difference between building and developing a website?
The terms “building” and “developing” are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction between the two. Building a website generally refers to the process of creating the front-end design, while developing a website encompasses both the front-end design and back-end coding.
How long does it take to build a Squarespace website?
It usually takes around 6-8 weeks to build a Squarespace website.
