How long does it take to build a website?

What does the timeline actually look like?

Every web project follows roughly the same steps. Here's what a typical small business build looks like at Alvex Studio:

• Day 1–2: Discovery. We talk about your business, your customers, and what the site needs to do. You send over your logo, photos, and any text you've got.
• Day 3–5: Design. We build the homepage and key pages. You see a working preview, not a flat mockup.
• Day 6–8: Feedback and revisions. You tell us what to change. We adjust. This is where most delays happen — not on our side.
• Day 9–10: Polish and launch. Final checks, mobile testing, SEO structure, speed optimisation, and go live.

That's 10 working days for a typical 5-page site. If you're quick with feedback, it can be faster. If content trickles in over weeks, it takes longer.

What slows a website project down?

In our experience, the build is rarely the bottleneck. These are the real time killers:

• Missing content. If you don't have your text, photos, or branding ready, the build stalls. We can help write content, but it needs your input — a solicitor's "about" page can't be written without the solicitor.
• Slow feedback. A two-day feedback round that takes two weeks adds two weeks to the project. Simple as that.
• Scope creep. "Can we also add a blog? And a shop? And a members area?" Each addition adds time. Decide what you need before you start.
• Too many decision makers. If three partners need to approve every colour choice, expect delays. Pick one person to manage the project.

Does using AI speed things up?

Yes. We use AI tools throughout our build process and we're upfront about it. AI helps with code generation, content drafting, image optimisation, and testing. It doesn't replace the design thinking or the conversations with you — but it cuts out hours of repetitive work.

What used to take an agency 4 to 6 weeks can now be done properly in 1 to 2 weeks. That's not cutting corners. It's using better tools.

How long for different types of site?

Rough timelines based on real projects:

• One-page landing site: 3–5 days. Perfect for a new cafe or tradesperson who just needs to be found on Google.
• Brochure site (3–5 pages): 1–2 weeks. The standard for most accountants, solicitors, and small retail businesses.
• Site with booking or contact forms: 2 weeks. Adding integrations like Calendly or custom forms adds a few days.
• E-commerce (under 50 products): 3–4 weeks. Product photography, descriptions, payment setup, and shipping all take time.
• Large or complex site: 4–8 weeks. Multi-location businesses, membership areas, or custom dashboards.

How can you speed things up?

If you've got a deadline — a restaurant opening, a new practice launch, a seasonal push — here's how to keep things moving:

• Have your content ready. Even rough drafts help. We can polish, but we can't write from nothing.
• Send your photos early. Real photos of your business, team, or products. Not stock images — Google and your customers can tell the difference.
• Give feedback promptly. Same-day or next-day feedback keeps the momentum going.
• Limit the reviewers. One point of contact, one set of feedback. Not a committee.
• Trust the process. Your designer has done this before. Let them guide you on structure and layout.

What if I need it yesterday?

Rush jobs are possible for simple sites. A single-page site can go live in 48 hours if you have content ready and are available for quick feedback. It won't have every bell and whistle, but it'll be professional, fast, and ready to rank.

For anything more complex, trying to rush usually costs more in mistakes than it saves in time. Better to plan ahead.