Like all progressive business owners, you’ve been thinking about redesigning your company’s website for months now. You know that a new one will help you reach more customers and increase sales, but you also know that time is money. So you do some research, and after a lot of reading and asking around, you find out that building a website is a lot more complicated and time-consuming than you originally thought.
So now you’re wondering: How long does it take to design a website these days? Is it even possible to get a website up and running on the same day? The answer depends on many factors, but we’ll break them down so that you can develop realistic expectations for your next project.
Read on to learn exactly how long it takes to design a website—and to find out what you can do to speed up the process.
How Long Does It Take to Design a Website?
The amount of time it takes to design a website depends on the complexity of the project. The more complex your project, the longer it will take to complete. Here are some factors that may contribute to this:
- The level of detail that’s required for your project
- How many people are involved in the project
- The amount of content you need to create
- Whether you’re using a template
Many experts agree that even the best website design can be finished in 6 months, but this is with professional help.
Understanding the Complexity
A simple site with just one or two static pages can be designed in as little as a couple of days, while a complex and custom website may take months of development time.
A major factor in production time is responsiveness (the ability to adapt the layout to various screen sizes). If you need something highly responsive and customized—say, a multi-page site with many widgets and interactive elements—then it will take longer than if you only need basic functionality.
The Scope of Your Project
The scope of your project includes things like how many sections there are on your site, whether you want features like e-commerce built into your site—the list goes on! So if one particular aspect of your project requires extra time (like adding custom code for a shopping cart), then that will add to the estimated time for completion as well.
The second factor affecting how long designing takes is the unique elements you need to take your website over the top. Things like targeted pop-ups and SEO optimization take longer than others because they involve adapting everything from scratch.
Capabilities
Another important factor is whether you have in-house designers, developers, and project managers who can assist in this process. With internal design and development teams, you have a direct insight into their progress as well as access to real-time updates on the estimated completion date.
If there is no internal support within your organization, then outside help may be necessary.
Partnering With a Website Design Company
A web design company can help you with everything from the initial design to content creation and maintenance. Most people think they need to do all these things themselves, but the truth is: Hiring an experienced team will help save time and money in the long run.
The most important thing to remember when working on a website design project is to keep the lines of communication open. Whether you’re working with an internal team or an outside company, make sure everyone is on the same page and knows what the expectations are. This will help ensure a successful (and timely) outcome for your project.
Types of Websites
Your website needs to serve your business model. There are now nearly 2 billion websites online, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Perhaps the list below can make your decision easier.
Magazine Websites
A magazine website is a brilliant choice for an online publication, particularly one published by universities and organizations. These websites are more informative and educational, rather than entertainment-focused. They also tend to have a larger number of pages, as well as an extensive archive of past issues.
E-Commerce Websites
An e-commerce website is a storefront on the Internet where customers can buy your products or place orders for services. These types of websites require a lot more planning and development than other types, as they need to be designed with conversion in mind.
Blogs
A blog is a website that features regularly updated articles, photos and videos. A single person or a small group of people usually runs them, and they tend to focus on a specific topic or niche. Blogs often feature user interaction, allowing visitors to leave comments and connect with each other through the platform.
Portfolio Websites
If you’re a creative professional, such as an artist, writer, or designer, then having your own portfolio website is the best way to showcase your work. A portfolio website is a place to show off your creativity, so go crazy with unique layouts and interesting features.
Design Your Website Faster Than Before
So, how long does it take to design a website? The answer is: it depends! In general, most websites take between six weeks and six months from start to finish.
However, this can vary depending on the size and complexity of the website, as well as other factors, such as whether you’re building a brand new website or redesigning an existing one.
A professional designer can cut your website design time down to its bare minimum. Visit our blog to learn how you can find the best designer for your page. If there’s a unique topic you’d like to address, call us with your questions about website design—we’re happy to help!
