Building a professional business website typically takes 2-12 weeks from start to launch. The timeline depends on website complexity, how quickly you provide content and if you hire a freelance designer or agency.

If you’re starting a side hustle or running a small business, you need a realistic timeline before committing to a website project. Some designers promise one-week builds, others quote 16 weeks for a simple site. So what’s actually realistic?

This guide breaks down website build times by project type, explains what affects timelines and helps you spot unrealistic promises before you pay a deposit.

In this guide I break down:

• Typical timelines by website type
• What affects how long your website takes
• Freelancer vs agency timelines
• How to speed up the process
• Realistic expectations for 2026

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Quick Timeline Overview

Here’s what to expect for different website types:

Website Type	Typical Timeline	Best For
Basic 5-page website	2-4 weeks	Side hustles, new businesses
Standard business website	4-6 weeks	Established small businesses
E-commerce website	6-8 weeks	Online shops (under 100 products)
Large e-commerce site	8-12 weeks	Online shops (100+ products)
Custom web application	12+ weeks	Complex functionality needs

These are industry averages. Individual designers and agencies vary significantly.

For context, I build most starter websites (5 pages) in 2-3 weeks and premium websites (10 pages with e-commerce) in 3-4 weeks. This is faster than most agencies because there are no internal handoffs or approval layers slowing things down.

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5 Factors That Determine How Long Your Website Takes

Factor 1: Website Complexity

5-page brochure website: 2-3 weeks
A homepage, about page, services page, contact page and one additional page. Straightforward structure, minimal technical requirements.

10-page business website: 3-4 weeks
Multiple service pages, portfolio gallery, blog setup, team pages. More content organisation required.

E-commerce with 50 products: 6-8 weeks
Product pages, payment processing, shipping configurations, inventory setup. Each product needs images, descriptions and categorisation.

Custom functionality: Add 2-4 weeks
Booking systems, membership areas, course platforms, custom forms. Anything requiring third-party integrations or custom development extends timelines.

Factor 2: Content Readiness

This is the single biggest factor affecting website timelines.

Content ready before project starts: Standard timeline
You provide text for all pages, images, logo and have a clear idea of what you need. The designer can work continuously.

Designer writes content for you: Add 1-2 weeks
Some designers (including me for premium packages) write your website copy. This takes research time but removes the burden from you.

You provide content during build: Add 2-3 weeks
Most delays happen here. You intend to send content “this week” but it takes a month. The project stalls while the designer waits.

I’ve seen 2-week projects stretch to months purely because content arrived in dribs and drabs. If you want a fast build, have everything ready before you pay the deposit.

Factor 3: Number of Revisions

1 round of revisions: Included in standard timeline
You review the initial design, request changes and the designer implements them. This is standard practice.

Multiple revision rounds: Add 1-2 weeks per round
Some clients request three or four rounds of changes. Each round adds time. Being sure saves time.

Scope changes mid-project: Can add 2-4 weeks
“Actually, can we add an online shop?” or “I’ve decided I want 15 pages instead of 5.” Major changes restart parts of the process.

One revision round is included in all my packages. Additional rounds are possible but extend the timeline and may incur extra costs if they involve significant restructuring.

Factor 4: Designer Type (Freelancer vs Agency)

Freelance Designer:

• Fewer internal processes
• Direct communication with the person building your site
• Faster decision-making
• Typical timeline: 2-4 weeks

Agency:

• Multiple approval layers
• Account managers, designers, developers are different people
• Weekly check-ins instead of daily updates
• Typical timeline: 8-12 weeks

As a solo designer, I can turn around websites faster than agencies because there are no handoffs. You speak directly to me, I make decisions immediately and there are no internal approval processes slowing things down.

This doesn’t mean agencies are bad. For large corporate projects requiring multiple specialists, agencies make sense. But for side hustles and small businesses, the bureaucracy just adds unnecessary time.

Factor 5: Your Response Time

Daily responses to questions: Standard timeline
When I send ask clarifying questions and you respond within 24 hours, this keep the project moving.

Weekly responses: Add 1-2 weeks
If you only check emails once a week, the timeline extends accordingly.

Delayed feedback on designs: Add 2-4 weeks
Some clients take weeks to review designs because they’re “too busy” or need to consult multiple people. Every delay compounds.

The fastest projects happen when clients respond within 24 hours and have content ready upfront. I build momentum when there’s consistent communication.

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How Long Should YOUR Website Take?

Side Hustles & New Businesses

What you need: 5 pages, contact form, mobile-friendly design
Realistic timeline: 2-3 weeks with a freelancer, 6-8 weeks with an agency
Why: Simple requirements, fewer stakeholders, faster decisions

My starter package is designed for exactly this. Five custom pages, hosting and security included, SEO optimised, launched in 2-3 weeks.

Established Small Businesses

What you need: 7-10 pages, portfolio or gallery, blog setup
Realistic timeline: 3-4 weeks with a freelancer, 8-10 weeks with an agency
Why: More pages, brand consistency requirements, existing content to migrate

If you’re replacing an old website, content migration adds time. Expect 4-6 weeks for a comprehensive rebuild with multiple service pages and portfolio sections.

Service-Based Businesses

What you need: 5-8 pages, booking system, testimonials section
Realistic timeline: 4-6 weeks
Why: Booking integration adds complexity

Setting up booking systems (like Calendly integration or custom appointment forms) requires testing and configuration. Add an extra week or two for thorough testing.

E-commerce Businesses

What you need: Product pages, payment processing, inventory management
Realistic timeline: 6-8 weeks (under 100 products), 10-12 weeks (over 100 products)
Why: Product uploads, payment testing, shipping configurations take time

My premium package includes e-commerce for up to 100 products. Timeline is 3-4 weeks for the site build plus time for you to upload product details, images and descriptions. If I’m doing product uploads for you, add 2-3 weeks.

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Red Flags: When Timeline Promises Don’t Add Up

Too Fast (Under 1 Week for Complex Sites)

Claim: “We’ll build your 10-page e-commerce site in 3 days”
Reality: Corners will be cut. Expect template designs with minimal customisation, poor SEO, no proper testing and generic imagery.

Can a website be built in one week? Yes, if it’s extremely simple and you have absolutely everything ready. But 3 days for a full e-commerce site? That’s a template job, not custom design.

Too Slow (Over 12 Weeks for Simple Sites)

Claim: “Your 5-page website will take 16 weeks”
Reality: Either an inexperienced designer who’s never streamlined their process or agency bureaucracy slowing things down.

There’s no technical reason a simple 5-page website needs 16 weeks unless there are multiple stakeholders approving every pixel.

Vague Timelines

Claim: “It depends” or “We’ll let you know as we go”
Reality: Professional designers give estimated timelines upfront, even if approximate.

I tell every client upfront: 2-3 weeks for starter packages, 3-4 weeks for premium packages. Timelines can shift if content is delayed or scope changes, but you would have a clear estimate before paying a deposit.

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4 Ways to Get Your Website Done Faster

1. Have Content Ready Before You Start

• Write all page text in a Google Doc
• Collect high-quality images (or budget for stock photos)
• Know what pages you need
• Impact: Saves 1-2 weeks

I send a content questionnaire to every client before we start. The clients who complete it thoroughly get their websites faster than those who provide content piecemeal.

2. Choose a Designer Who Writes Content

• Some designers include copywriting
• Costs more upfront but saves time overall
• Impact: Same timeline, less work for you

My premium package includes content writing for all pages. You provide bullet points about your business, I turn them into polished website copy. This removes the “I’ll write it this week” procrastination that delays most projects.

3. Respond Quickly to Feedback Requests

• Aim for same-day or next-day responses
• Make decisions quickly
• Trust your designer’s expertise
• Impact: Prevents delays, keeps momentum

When I send design mockups, the clients who respond within 24 hours get their websites done in 2-3 weeks. The clients who take a week to respond stretch the timeline to 5-6 weeks through no fault of the designer.

4. Limit Revision Rounds

• Be specific about what you want upfront
• Combine feedback into one list (not piecemeal changes)
• Accept “good enough” instead of perfect
• Impact: Saves 1-2 weeks

One client requested seven rounds of revisions because they changed their mind repeatedly about colours, fonts and layout. The 2-week timeline became 8 weeks. One thorough revision round is much more efficient than multiple tiny changes.

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Website Build Timeline: Week by Week

Here’s what typically happens during a 4-week website build:

Week 1: Planning & Design

• Discovery call to discuss your business, goals and timeline
• Sitemap and page structure agreed
• Design ideas
• First review and feedback

Week 2: Development & Content

• Pages built in WordPress
• Content added to all pages
• Images uploaded
• Mobile responsiveness tested

Week 3: Revisions & Testing

• Your feedback implemented
• Forms and functionality tested
• SEO basics added
• Browser testing

Week 4: Final Checks & Launch

• Final review with you
• Domain connected and DNS
• Google Analytics set up
• Site goes live

This is a typical 4-week timeline for a standard business website. Simpler sites (5 pages, no complex features) finish in 2-3 weeks. Complex sites (e-commerce, custom functionality) take 6-8 weeks.

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Should You Build It Yourself to Save Time?

DIY Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy)

Promised timeline: “Build your website in a weekend!”
Actual timeline: 1-4 weeks if you know what you’re doing, 2-3 months for most people

Why it takes longer than promised:

• You get stuck on design decisions
• You struggle with technical setup (domain connection, email configuration)
• You redo sections multiple times because you’re learning as you go
• You don’t know SEO basics so you have to research everything

I’ve had clients come to me after spending months trying to build a Wix site themselves. They were exhausted, frustrated and still didn’t have a finished website.

Hiring a Professional Designer

Timeline: 2-4 weeks for freelancer, 8-12 weeks for agency
Why it’s faster:

• Designer makes decisions quickly based on experience
• Technical knowledge avoids delays (no Googling “how to add a contact form”)
• Fewer mistakes to fix because it’s done right the first time
• Better first draft because the designer has built hundreds of websites before

Bottom line: DIY sounds faster but usually isn’t. Professionals deliver faster results because they’ve solved every problem before.

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Website Build Times in the UK (2026)

Average UK timelines:

• Freelance web designers: 2-4 weeks
• Small UK agencies: 6-10 weeks
• Large UK agencies: 10-16 weeks

Why UK timelines differ from US:

• UK designers typically work solo or in small teams (faster communication)
• Less common to outsource to overseas development teams (more control)
• GDPR compliance is built into the timeline as standard (adds 1-2 days for cookie policies and privacy notices)

As a UK-based designer, I include GDPR-compliancy in every build. This is standard practice here but often an afterthought for designers outside the UK.

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Common Timeline Questions

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So… How Long Does It Take to Build a Professional Business Website?

• Simple websites: 2-4 weeks with a freelancer
• Standard business sites: 4-6 weeks
• E-commerce: 6-8 weeks
• Have content ready to avoid delays
• Freelancers are faster than agencies for small businesses

The fastest website builds happen when you work with an experienced designer, provide content upfront and respond to feedback quickly.

Most of my clients get their websites in 2-4 weeks because I’ve built the same type of site hundreds of times. I know exactly what questions to ask, what content you need and how to avoid common delays.

If you’re quoted 12 weeks for a simple business website, ask why. There’s usually no technical reason for that timeline unless you’re working with a large agency with complex approval processes.

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Ready to Have Your Website Built?

I specialise in fast-turnaround websites for side hustles and small businesses. Transparent pricing from £1,500, no hidden fees and realistic timelines you can actually plan around.

Starter Package: 2-3 weeks, £1,500
5 custom pages, hosting included, mobile-friendly, SEO optimised

Premium Package: 3-4 weeks, £4,750
10 custom pages, e-commerce for up to 100 products, content writing included

1. Fill out this quick form (takes 1 minute): Website Enquiry Form
2. We’ll chat about your project on a quick call (no obligation)
3. I’ll review your info
4. If it’s a fit, I’ll build your site in 2 to 4 weeks

Book your free consultation here now: Website Enquiry Form

Or have a quick question? WhatsApp me