Answers · Web Design
How long does it take to build a business website?
Updated April 30, 2026 · Honest answer from a Colorado agency that does this work daily.
Short answer
A typical 10-page small business website takes 4–8 weeks from kickoff to launch. Simple template-based sites can launch in 2–3 weeks. Custom sites with original photography, copywriting, and integrations (booking, payments, CRM sync) take 8–14 weeks. The biggest delays are almost always client-side: slow content delivery, late feedback rounds, and scope changes mid-project.
- Simple template site (5–7 pages): 2–4 weeks
- Standard custom site (10–15 pages): 4–8 weeks
- Premium with integrations and original photography: 8–14 weeks
- Biggest delays come from client-side content and feedback
- Faster than 3 weeks usually means corners are being cut
Phase-by-phase timeline
Week 1: discovery, wireframes, and content brief. Client provides existing brand assets and answers strategy questions.
Weeks 2–3: design mockups for home and 2–3 inner pages. Client reviews and approves direction.
Weeks 4–5: development, content integration, photography. Client provides any missing content/photos.
Week 6: client review of full site, feedback incorporated.
Week 7: final QA, launch prep, redirects mapped from old site.
Week 8: launch, monitoring, post-launch fixes.
What slows projects down
Slow content delivery is the #1 cause of delays. If you can't provide bios, service descriptions, or photos within a week of being asked, the project stalls. Smart agencies build content production into the scope (you pay for it but it's not your problem).
Mid-project scope changes also delay. A redesign quoted at 10 pages that grows to 18 pages mid-build needs renegotiation — both timeline and price.
Feedback rounds with too many decision-makers also slow things. Designate one project owner who consolidates internal feedback into a single response.
Follow-up questions
Can I get a site faster than 4 weeks?
Yes for simple template-based sites. For custom design and copywriting, faster than 4 weeks usually means skipping discovery, copywriting, or QA — quality suffers.
What if I'm not ready with content?
Most agencies will still kick off and parallel-track content production. Just expect timeline to slip past 8 weeks if you're behind on content delivery.
Do I have to host with the agency that builds it?
Usually yes — they need access to deploy, push fixes, and update content. But you should own the hosting account, not them.
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