Size and Complexity
A 'brochure style' website—one that simply provides information about your company or services—is usually the quickest and easiest to put together. In most cases, a new web designer can have this type of site up and running in as little as two weeks. Of course, there are always exceptions; if you have a very large or complex website, it could take longer.
On the other hand, eCommerce websites—websites that sell products or services online—are typically much more complex than brochure style websites. These types of sites require additional functionality, such as shopping carts, payment processing, and shipping integration. As a result, they often take longer to build; anywhere from six to twelve weeks is not uncommon.
Other Factors to Consider
In addition to the size and complexity of your website, there are a few other factors that can influence how long it takes to build. For example, the availability of the people working on the project can have an impact.
Another factor to consider is your own availability. How quickly are you able to provide feedback or approvals? The speed with which you're able to review and approve work will play a big role in how quickly your site gets completed.
So, how long does it really take to build a website? The answer is: it depends. The amount of time it takes can vary depending on the size and complexity of the project, as well as other factors like the availability of the people working on it. In most cases, though, you can expect a simple 'brochure style' website to take between two and six weeks from start to finish. More complex e-commerce websites may take up to twelve weeks.