How Long Does It Take To Build A Website In 2026?

Building a website typically takes anywhere from a few hours to a few months. There are a number of tools and resources available to speed up the website creation process. 

For relatively straightforward personal or business sites, website builders offer a quick, easy, and affordable solution. Web developers are typically hired to help complete sites with custom functionalities or complex designs.

How long does it take to build different types of websites?

The average time to build a website varies widely depending on several factors, including how many pages the site needs, whether it includes custom features, and which method you use to create it.

You can create a simple website in just a few hours with a user-friendly website builder. However, your website development timeline will likely be much longer if you want to make a website from scratch. Depending on how advanced your coding skills are, you may need to hire a web developer to get the job done.

Here’s a quick look at how long you can expect the website build process to take for different types of websites:

Time needed to build an e-commerce website

It typically takes around 2-4 months to build a new website with e-commerce capabilities. It’s important to factor in the time needed to create separate pages for each product and upload product descriptions and photos. You’ll also need to integrate shopping cart functionality, payment processing, and inventory management. Once the site has been built, it’s wise to do several rounds of site testing to ensure all e-commerce features are working properly.

Website platforms designed for e-commerce, such as Shopify, make it easier to build this type of site. If you choose to have a professional develop a website for your e-commerce business, it may take longer. 

How long does it take to build a WordPress website?

WordPress makes it relatively easy to build your own site. If you use a WordPress theme with minimal modifications and plugins, you can finish your site within a day or two. 

For WordPress sites with custom functionality, the project will take a few weeks or more. WordPress is a popular platform for these types of projects because it’s highly customizable. Although you don’t need to know how to code a website to use WordPress, coding skills may be necessary to integrate certain features.

Length of time to build a simple one-page website

It typically only takes an hour or two to create a simple one-page website (sometimes referred to as a landing page or microsite). The minimalist design is perfect for personal bios and social media links. It can also be a great option for a simple small business website featuring key details like a business description, contact information, and social media links. 

You can create a website fast with Namecheap’s Simple Links. Because it’s specifically designed for single-page sites, Simple Links makes it as easy as possible to plug in your text, images, and links. 

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Time needed to build a professional business website

Professional business websites can take anywhere from one day to several months to complete. The time it takes to create this type of website ultimately depends on the size of the business and the scope of the site itself.

For example, it may take only a few days to create a small business website with a simple, straightforward design. On the other hand, the website-building process could take weeks or months for a large business, especially if you need e-commerce functionality, separate webpage development for multiple locations, or an appointment scheduling feature. 

If you’re building a simple online presence for a small business, it’s often possible to create a branded website in one day. Website builders like Namecheap’s Business Site Maker streamline the process so that even total beginners can get a site up and running quickly. 

To get started with this tool, navigate to Business Site Maker and enter some basic information and design preferences. Next, select a template, customize it to your needs, and add content to each section. Then, choose your domain and complete your purchase to see your published site live online within 24 hours. Read our comprehensive step-by-step guide to using Business Site Maker to learn more.

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How much time do you need to build a portfolio website?

A portfolio website typically takes up to two weeks to build. These types of websites are popular for artists, web designers, writers, and other creatives. Business professionals can use portfolio websites to showcase skills, credentials, past projects, and professional recommendations.

Portfolio websites feature work that’s already complete, so it’s possible to create websites fast since all the files just need to be uploaded. If you use a website builder like Site Maker, you can build a simple portfolio website in just a few hours. Building your own website may take longer if you want to incorporate special features, such as interactive animations or detailed case studies.

Length of time to build a Web application or SaaS website

Three to six months is the typical time frame for building a web application or SaaS (Software as a Service) website. Depending on the complexity of the tool you’re making, it could take longer to complete. 

The steps to building a website are more complicated with this task, so you’ll likely need the help of an experienced web developer. Keep your audience in mind during the planning and design phases, as B2C websites (business-to-consumer) and B2B websites (business-to-business) often feature different styles and functionalities.

How long does it take to create a website with different approaches?

There are a number of different methods for building a website. The best approach for you depends on several factors, including your website goals, budget, and experience with web development.

Here’s a quick look at how long it typically takes to build a website using different approaches. Keep in mind that the type of website you’re building will also affect these estimated time frames:

Time needed to build a website using a website builder

It typically takes only a day or two to build a website with a website builder. This type of tool is the most user-friendly and budget-friendly method for creating a site. It’s also the fastest way to build a website, so it’s a great fit for those who want to establish an online presence as quickly as possible.

Namecheap’s Site Maker is one of the top website builders. In addition to being affordable and user-friendly, it integrates seamlessly with other online design tools, including Logo Maker. Site Maker has separate website builder options depending on the type of site you want to create: a personal website, a business website, or a one-page microsite. The streamlined, step-by-step website building process requires zero coding skills or web development expertise, and website security, hosting, and analytics are conveniently included.

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How long does it take to build a DIY website with a free or paid CMS?

It takes about one to three weeks to build a DIY website. When you use a free or paid CMS (content management system), making your own website is fairly straightforward. It’s not as streamlined as a website builder, but it still has several user-friendly features that help along the way. For example, WordPress has themes that create a cohesive style for your site and include helpful templates for text and images.

The fastest way to make a DIY website is to stick to the preset templates. You won’t need to write any code, but there are extra features you can enable with plugins, extensions, and modules. This process generally takes longer than using a website builder, but it gives you additional functionality options (such as creating an e-commerce site) and offers greater scalability if you need to redesign a website as your business grows.

How long does it take to build a website with a professional developer?

Building a website with a professional developer typically takes around two to four months. This method involves hiring an experienced freelance web developer to create a custom website from scratch.

Working with a single professional can be a great choice for building a small business website if a website builder doesn’t offer all the features you need. It’s usually less expensive than hiring a development agency, and a freelance developer can often provide a faster turnaround, too. 

How long does it take to build a website when you hire a development agency?

Development agencies can usually build a website within three to six months. While this method for creating a website is the longest and most expensive, it does have some unique advantages — especially for large, complex websites or web applications.

You’ll have a team of web development specialists contributing to your site, which allows you to include advanced features and functionality. Development agencies typically handle website maintenance as well, so you can trust in their expertise to keep the site running smoothly and address any issues that may arise. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I build a website in a week?

Yes, you can build a website in a week by using a website builder. This type of tool is designed to streamline the process of creating a website. No coding experience is required, making website builders like Namecheap’s Site Maker a great option for anyone who wants to create a site quickly and easily.

Is building a website hard?

It’s not hard to build a website if you use a website builder. Tools like Site Maker walk you through each step of the process and employ user-friendly templates that make it possible to create a site quickly and easily. Site Maker also includes essentials like web hosting and security, and makes it easy to set up a custom domain.

What is the fastest way to build a website? 

The fastest way to build a website is to use an online website builder like Namecheap’s Site Maker. Most people can get their site up and running in one day using this user-friendly tool. Site Maker provides helpful prompts to determine the right design and layout for your needs. Simply enter your text, images, and links to complete the site.

How much does it cost to build a website? 

The cost to build a website can vary widely, from as little as a few dollars for a basic site to several thousand dollars to hire a web development professional. It’s difficult to determine an average cost for a website, but you can choose different methods for building a website based on your needs and budget. Website builders are a cost-effective option for small business websites and personal sites. Larger websites often cost more to build because of the expenses involved with incorporating certain features and functionalities.

Can a beginner build a website?

Yes, a beginner can easily build a website by using a website builder like Site Maker. No coding experience is required to use this type of tool since it walks you through the basics of building a website. Simply choose the template, color scheme, and font, then add text, images, and links to complete your site.