If you’re planning a specific launch date for your website for marketing purposes, then it can be handy to know how long it might take to build. In order to answer the question of how long a website takes to build, you’ll first need to narrow down the specifics of the project.
Whenever I’m asked how long a project might take, I always tell my clients it will depend on a few factors.
Scope
- How big does the website need to be? One page or many?
- Other than static pages, what functionality does the website need to have?
- What kinds of content does it need to include? Pages, products, case studies, directories, resources, or something else?
Design
- Do you have existing brand guidelines you need to follow?
- How bespoke does the design need to be?
- Will every page look the same, or do you need custom designs for each one?
- Are you hoping to include animations and interesting interactions?
Content
- Do you have the content for the website written already?
- Who will be responsible for the website copy?
- Where are you sourcing your images from?
- How much control do you need over the elements of the layout once the project is complete?
Technology
- Do you know what platform or CMS you would like to use?
- Does the website need to connect with any other systems or platforms?
Each of these questions can extend or shorten the time it would take to build a website, especially if you’re planning something very bespoke and very complex.
Most projects I work on are completed within 6-8 weeks. Some end sooner when I can clear the decks and give a project my full focus, or when working with people who have a clear vision for their website and stay on top of communication.
If a project takes longer than this, it’s usually down to gaps in communication due to a variety of factors, or indecisiveness when it comes to design feedback. The longest project I’ve worked on was over 24 months, and that was just because they were a very busy agency with lots of work that kept getting in the way!