Most people ask "how much does a website cost" before they ask how long it will take. But timeline is usually the bigger surprise. Here's what actually determines how long a custom website takes to build, and where projects tend to slip.
The short answer
A custom website typically takes 6 to 12 weeks from kickoff to launch. A small brochure site can move faster. A larger site with ecommerce, custom features, or a lot of content can take longer. The build itself is rarely the bottleneck; content and feedback usually are.
The phases, and how long each takes
Discovery (1–2 weeks). Goals, sitemap, competitive review, and scope. This is where a good designer figures out what the site actually needs to do before anyone touches a design file. For a closer look at each step, see the full website design process.
Design (2–3 weeks). Wireframes, then visual design for key pages. Most of this timeline depends on how quickly you review and respond, not on the designer's speed.
Development (2–4 weeks). Building the approved design into a working site: templates, functionality, responsive behavior, and any integrations. This is front-end development, and if you're building on a platform like WordPress or Shopify, it also includes CMS setup and customization.
Content (ongoing, often in parallel). Copywriting, photography, and content entry. This is the single biggest source of delay on most projects. A site with placeholder text can't launch.
Revisions and QA (1–2 weeks). Cross-browser and cross-device testing, feedback rounds, and final polish.
Launch (a few days). DNS changes, redirects, and final checks. Quick once everything else is ready.
What actually stretches a timeline
- Slow feedback. A two-week design phase becomes six weeks if reviews sit in an inbox for a week at a time.
- Missing content. Waiting on copy or photos is the most common reason launch dates slip.
- Scope changes mid-project. Adding a new feature or rethinking a page structure after design is approved resets the clock on that piece.
- Too many decision-makers. Every additional person who needs to sign off adds a review cycle.
- Custom features. A booking system, membership area, or custom integration adds real development time beyond a standard content site. This is also where platform choice matters; see how this plays out for WordPress and Shopify builds.
- Choice of platform. A custom-built site gives you more control over timeline and scope than a DIY builder, but it does mean more decisions to make along the way.
How to keep your project on schedule
- Have your content ready, or budget time for it, before the project starts.
- Designate one person to give feedback, not a committee.
- Turn around reviews in 2–3 business days, not two weeks.
- Lock scope after design approval. Save new ideas for a phase two.
- Ask for a project timeline with dates up front, not just a total duration.
A realistic example
A typical small business site (home, about, services, contact, maybe a blog) with a responsive custom design and no complex features usually lands around 8 weeks, assuming content is ready when design starts and feedback comes back on time. Add ecommerce, custom functionality, or a large number of pages, and 10–14 weeks is more realistic.
The fastest way to blow past any timeline isn't a complicated build. It's waiting on content or sitting on feedback. If you want your site live on a specific date, the best thing you can do is have your content ready before the project even begins.
Have a launch date in mind?
If you're planning a new site or a redesign and want a realistic timeline for your specific project, get in touch. I'll walk you through what a schedule looks like for your goals, content, and features before you commit to anything.