How long it takes to build a website in New Zealand
Most small business websites take 2 to 4 weeks to build, and a large business site or an online store takes 4 to 8 weeks. A single landing page can be ready in 2 to 3 business days. A custom web app depends on what it does, from a small widget to a 12-month project. These are our typical times at Lucid Media, and what usually moves them is how quickly content, feedback and approvals come back.
Typical build times by project
Times run from the start of the project to launch, and assume content and feedback arrive when agreed.
| Project | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Landing page One page built around a single offer or campaign. | 2 to 3 business days |
| Small website A focused site for a small business: home, services, about and contact. | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Large business website More pages, services or locations, and usually more people signing off. | 4 to 8 weeks |
| E-commerce website A product catalogue, payments, shipping and stock set up and tested. | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Web app Depends on what it has to do, who uses it and what it connects to. | A small widget to a 12-month project |
What makes a website project faster or slower
The design and build work is the predictable part. The time that varies is usually spent waiting on something.
- Content being ready
- Copy, photos and logos are the most common hold-up. At the start of a project we agree what each page needs, who writes it and by when, so the build is not waiting on words.
- Feedback rounds
- Our design stage includes up to two rounds of revisions. Feedback that comes back quickly and in one place keeps the project moving; extra rounds add time.
- Integrations
- Payments, booking systems, your CRM and your ad platforms each need access, set-up and testing. The more systems a site connects to, the longer the build.
- Approvals
- You sign off the sitemap, the design and the finished staging site in writing. When several people need to approve, allow time for each of them.
- Redesigning a site that already ranks
- Before we replace an existing site, we audit every page, save your current traffic as a baseline and map a redirect for each old URL, so you keep the traffic you already have.
The four stages of a website build
Every web design and web development project we run follows the same order, and each stage ends with your sign-off.
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Discovery and plan
A discovery call about your goals, customers and features, a review of three to five competitor sites, then a sitemap and content plan. You sign off the sitemap before any design starts.
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Wireframes and design
We wireframe the key pages, including mobile layouts, then design the home page and two or three inner pages. Up to two rounds of revisions, and nothing is built until you approve the design in writing.
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Build and checks
The site is built on a private staging site and checked at five screen widths, in every common browser, and for forms, links, search set-up, security and accessibility before you see it.
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Launch and aftercare
Go-live at a time agreed with you, checks on launch day, a recorded training session, and 30 days of support after launch.
Getting ready before the first call saves time later. Our website project brief template covers what to have on hand.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a small business website?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks for a focused small business site. The time depends mostly on how quickly content and feedback come back, and on any systems the site needs to connect to.
Can a website be built in a week?
A single landing page can be, usually in 2 to 3 business days. A full website normally takes at least 2 weeks, because the plan and the design are signed off before anything is built.
How long does an online store take?
Usually 4 to 8 weeks. Products, payments, shipping and stock all need to be set up and tested, and the number of products and integrations moves the timeline more than the design does.
How long does a custom web app take?
Anything from a small widget to a 12-month project. It depends on what the app has to do, who uses it and what it connects to, so we set a plan and timeline after the discovery stage rather than guess at it upfront.
Does a redesign take longer than a new website?
It can. On a redesign we audit every existing page and map a redirect for each old URL so you keep the traffic you already have, and that work comes on top of the design and build.
When do I get a firm timeline for my project?
After the discovery call, once the pages, features and content are known. The timeline goes into the written plan you sign off before design starts.
Planning a new website? Get a timeline for yours
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a plan and a realistic timeline for your project.
