"How long will this take?" It's one of the first questions everyone asks. The honest answer: it depends. But let's break down what "it depends" actually means.
Typical Timeline Ranges
Simple Brochure Website (5-10 pages)
Timeline: 3-6 weeks
This includes home, about, services, and contact pages with a straightforward design and no complex functionality.
Standard Business Website (10-20 pages)
Timeline: 6-10 weeks
Multiple service pages, case studies, blog, more complex navigation, some integrations.
E-commerce Site
Timeline: 8-16 weeks
Product catalog, shopping cart, checkout, payment processing, shipping calculations, inventory management.
Custom Web Application
Timeline: 12-24+ weeks
User accounts, databases, custom functionality, dashboards, complex business logic.
What Affects Timeline?
1. Scope and Complexity
More pages = more time. Custom features = more time. Complex integrations = more time. This is the biggest factor.
2. Content Readiness
Content is often the biggest bottleneck. If you don't have text and images ready, development can't proceed.
3. Feedback Speed
Quick, decisive feedback keeps projects on track. Weeks between review rounds add weeks to the timeline.
4. Number of Stakeholders
More people involved = more opinions = more time. Having one decision-maker speeds things up significantly.
5. Revision Rounds
Some revision is expected. Extensive changes mid-project add significant time.
A Realistic Week-by-Week Breakdown
For a standard business website:
Week 1-2: Discovery & Planning
- Initial consultation
- Requirements gathering
- Sitemap and content plan
- Project scope finalization
Week 3-4: Design
- Homepage design
- Key page templates
- Revision rounds
- Final design approval
Week 5-7: Development
- Building the website
- Mobile responsiveness
- CMS setup
- Functionality implementation
Week 8: Content & Testing
- Content population
- Testing across devices
- Bug fixes
- Client review
Week 9: Launch
- Final revisions
- Launch preparation
- Go live
- Post-launch testing
How to Speed Up Your Project
- Have content ready before development starts
- Designate one decision-maker to avoid committee delays
- Respond quickly to requests and review rounds
- Be decisive about feedback—avoid endless tweaking
- Trust the process and avoid scope creep
What Causes Delays?
- Waiting for content that was supposed to be provided
- Slow feedback (weeks between review rounds)
- Adding new requirements mid-project
- Decision-by-committee taking too long
- Holiday periods and personal delays
The Balance of Speed and Quality
Fast, good, cheap—pick two. Rushing a project leads to mistakes and technical debt. Quality work takes appropriate time.
Be suspicious of anyone promising a professional website in a few days. They're either using templates with minimal customization or cutting corners you'll pay for later.
Plan Your Timeline
Have a launch deadline in mind? Work backward:
- Need to launch by a specific date? Start 8-10 weeks before
- Have a marketing campaign starting? Build in 2-week buffer
- Busy season approaching? Start well ahead of it
At GMT, we're transparent about timelines from day one. No surprises, no hidden delays. Ready to plan your project? Let's talk.