Every web designer gets asked "how long will this take?" in the first conversation, and the honest answer depends far less on the designer's speed than most people expect. It mostly comes down to one thing: how quickly you can supply finished content.
A small business website typically takes 2–3 weeks for a basic 5-page site and 3–5 weeks for a more advanced 8–12 page site, measured from when your content (text, images, logo) is finalised. Delays almost always come from waiting on content or feedback, not from the design and build work itself.
A typical project timeline, week by week
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Discovery call & fixed quote | 1–3 days |
| Content & asset collection (your side) | Varies — biggest wildcard |
| Design concept & feedback | 5–7 days |
| Full build (all pages) | 5–10 days |
| Testing, revisions & launch checks | 3–5 days |
Add it up and a Basic package usually lands at 2–3 weeks once content is ready, with Advance and Premium builds running 3–5 weeks due to more pages, more design iteration, and more testing.
The #1 thing that speeds up (or slows down) your project
Content. Not code, not design — content. Projects that stall almost always stall waiting on finished copy, photos, or logo files, not because the build itself is slow. If you can supply a clear outline of what each page should say (even in rough form) and your existing photos/logo on day one, your project will move at close to the fastest possible pace.
If you don't have content ready, that's fine too — it just means the content-writing phase runs in parallel with (or before) the design phase, and it's worth being upfront about that when you request a quote, since some packages include help with initial copy.
What slows a website project down
- Slow feedback turnaround. A design sent for review on Monday but not reviewed until the following week adds a full week to the timeline for no design-related reason.
- Scope creep mid-build. Adding new pages or features after the build has started resets parts of the timeline and the quote.
- Missing brand assets. No logo file, no brand colours, no existing photography — all of this needs to be sourced or created before design can properly start.
- Third-party integrations. Booking systems, payment gateways and custom app integrations often have their own setup and approval timelines outside your designer's control.
How to keep your project on the fast end of the timeline
- Gather your logo, brand colours and any existing photos before your first call.
- Write a rough outline of what each page should say — it doesn't need to be polished.
- Set aside time to review designs within 24–48 hours of receiving them.
- Decide on your final page list before the build starts, rather than adding pages mid-project.
For a full breakdown of what happens at each stage, see how the process works on the main Melbourne web design page, or the custom website design page for how the design phase specifically runs. Bookings or e-commerce timelines are covered separately on the web development page.