How long a website build takes

Ask around and you'll hear anything from a weekend to six months. Both can be true. For a typical local business site with a handful of pages, the build itself is usually quick. What stretches it out is almost always everything around the build.

The build is the short part

Once a designer has what they need, a simple site doesn't take long. My Starter sites take about 3 days and Standard sites about 7. The clock starts once you send your info, because that's when the real work can begin.

Bigger projects take longer for real reasons. A store with lots of products, online booking or a move from an old site all add time.

What actually slows things down

• Waiting on copy, photos or a logo
• Not knowing who makes the final call
• Changing the plan halfway through
• Domain or email logins nobody can find
• Long gaps between rounds of feedback

The login one catches a lot of people. If someone set up your domain years ago and moved on, finding that account can take longer than the whole build.

How to get it done faster

Gather your stuff before you start. Your logo, a few real photos, your hours, address, phone number and a list of services with rough prices. Write a few lines about your business in your own words, even if they're rough. A designer can clean up rough notes much faster than a blank page.

Figure out where your domain is registered and make sure you can log in. Pick one person to give feedback and make decisions.

When you get a draft, reply within a day or two if you can. Be specific. "The phone number should be bigger" is easier to act on than "it needs more pop".

Watch out for open ended timelines

If a designer can't tell you roughly how long the build takes once they have your content, ask why. You don't need an exact date, but you should get a clear range and know what they need from you.

A small business site shouldn't take months unless there's a reason. If yours has been "almost done" for a long time, it's worth asking what's actually left.