How long a website takes to build
A small business website takes anywhere from one week to more than two months, depending on how it’s built. Fixed-price studios usually take 1 to 4 weeks, custom freelancers 4 to 8 weeks, and agencies 2 months or more. At Sage Signatures it’s 7 days from the day your materials arrive.
Timelines by approach
| Approach | Timeline | Where the time goes |
|---|---|---|
| DIY builder | Dozens of your own hours | Picking a template, preparing copy and photos |
| Fixed-price studio | 1 to 4 weeks | Gathering materials |
| Custom freelancer | 4 to 8 weeks | Planning and design rounds |
| Agency | 2 months or more | Branding, meetings and approvals |
Why 7 days works
- The scope is fixed at 5 pages
- The foundations for each industry are already built
- References are reviewed together at the start to set the direction
- There are no mid-project mockup rounds. Three rounds of revisions happen after the build
Why projects run late
- Photos and copy arrive late
- Several people have to sign off
- The scope grows midway
- Nobody can find the domain login
The 7-day schedule
- Day 0: inquiry and payment
- Day 1: materials arrive
- Day 2: share references and set the design direction
- Days 3 to 6: build
- Day 7: launch, plus Google and Bing submission
Common questions
What if my materials are late?
The 7 days count from when the core materials arrive. Late photos get placeholders and are swapped in when they come.
Can it be faster?
Sometimes, depending on the schedule. Put your target date in the inquiry.
Is Shopify 7 days too?
Shopify stores take 10 days. Product loading and payment and shipping setup add time.