Web design
How long does it take to build a small business website?
The build itself is rarely what takes the time.
Tell us about your business and what you need.
The short answer
In short.
What decides how long a small business website takes is how quickly the words, photos and decisions come together, and how many rounds of changes you want after seeing the design. A site with its content ready and one clear decision-maker moves fast. One waiting on photos, wording or several people's sign-off takes longer. Your quote should give an estimated schedule and say what it depends on.
What takes the time
- Agreeing what the site needs to do and which pages it needs.
- Gathering the words and photos.
- Reviewing the design and asking for changes.
- Checking the forms, the phone number and the old links before going live.
Words and photos
This is the most common hold-up. If you have good photos of your own work, use them. If the wording is not ready, ask whether your designer helps write it.
Decisions
One person who can say yes speeds everything up. Several people commenting in turn slows it down.
Reviewing the design
A private link you can check on your phone and computer lets you see it as a customer would and ask for the changes you want before it goes live.
Going live
Check the enquiry form, the phone link and, if you are replacing a site, that old links still take visitors somewhere useful. Google has a starter guide to how search works that is worth a read before launch.
Keep the old site running
If you already have a website, it can stay live while the new one is built separately.
Website builder or web designer?
A website builder such as Wix, Squarespace or WordPress.com gives you website templates, hosting and the tools to put a site together yourself. It can be quick if your words and photos are ready, but every design decision is yours, and getting the site to show up in search is up to you too.
What else goes into building a website
Whichever way you build it, you will need a domain name, web hosting, and a plan for SEO so the site can be found. A web designer handles the design, the platform choice and the setup, and should tell you up front what you need to supply and when. AI website builders can produce a first draft in minutes, but a business site still needs your own content and checking before it goes live.
Choosing a website platform
The platform decides how easy your site is to update later. WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and Shopify for ecommerce are common choices for small business websites, and each comes with its own templates, tools and features. Ask who will look after updates, security and backups once the site is live, and whether the price includes hosting and the domain. A site you cannot update yourself costs time every time something changes.
From clients
What clients say about working with spareday
“He didn’t just build me a great website, he created an easy-to-manage system that allows me to make updates myself whenever I need to. He has spared me so much time doing all of this myself!”
“Huge shoutout to Reece for building my website for Hughesys Painting Services. Since it went live my phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
“He was able to take our rough ideas, from concept through to reality. The site has provided an influx of new members, helping to keep our club viable.”
Official guidance
For independent guidance, see Google Search Central.
Common questions
Questions people ask.
Can my old website stay up while the new one is built?
Yes. The new site is built separately and replaces the old one when you approve it.
What slows a website project down most?
Waiting on words, photos and decisions. Content that is ready and one person who can approve keep it moving.
Who you’ll work with
Hi, I’m Reece.
spareday is my business, based here in Newcastle. You’ll deal with me from the first review of your website, and I’m the person you talk to each month about what’s working.
Find us
spareday in Newcastle.
12 Grey Street, Wickham, Newcastle NSW 2293.
Next step
Get a free growth plan.
With spareday's web design in Newcastle, you work with Reece from the first conversation to the day the site goes live: a conversation first, pages planned around your services, a design you can try, and live when you are happy. Get my free growth plan and we will give you a schedule.
Or call 0485 017 387.