How long does it take to build a small business website?

If you run a small business, you probably want your website up quickly, not in six months. A small business website can go live fast, as long as the project stays focused. Here's what decides how long it takes, and how to avoid the usual delays.

What affects how long a website takes

• Size of the site. A clear one-page or few-page website is much quicker to design and build than a large site.
• Features. Booking pages, online menus and small shops add time, because each one needs to be set up and tested.
• Getting the content together. Waiting for text, photos and logos is the most common reason websites run late.
• Rounds of changes. Clear feedback in one go keeps things moving.
• Domain and hosting. If you don't have a domain yet, it needs to be registered before launch.

What slows website projects down

Most delays have nothing to do with the actual building. Projects stall when nobody knows who is writing the words, when the price keeps changing, or when there's no launch date to aim for. Without a date, "nearly finished" can last for months.

How to get your website built quickly

1. Get a launch date in writing. Agree on the date before work starts, just like the price.
2. Don't wait to have everything perfect. Send your business name, what you do and whatever logo or photos you already have. That's enough to start.
3. Let the designer help with the writing. Writing your own website text is where many owners get stuck. Working on it together is faster.
4. Launch the essentials first. Get the site live, then add extra pages or features afterwards.

Fast websites, both ways

"Fast" should also describe the finished site. A website that takes ages to load on a phone loses customers before they see what you offer, and Google takes page speed into account too. A good small business website should be quick to build and quick to load.

How Elvo Works handles timing

At Elvo Works, how long it takes depends on the size of your site, but you'll never have to guess. Your quote includes a fixed launch date, so you know exactly when your site goes live before you agree to anything. We keep pages light, size images properly and test every site on a real phone, so it's fast for your customers too. You don't need any experience making websites; we guide you through every step.