A one-pager usually takes one to two weeks, a small company website with three to six pages two to four weeks, and an SME website with seven to fifteen pages four to eight weeks. The actual work is often done more quickly. Most of the time is lost waiting for copy, images and feedback.
Guideline timings by project size
| Project | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| One-pager | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Sole trader with 3 to 6 pages | 2 to 4 weeks |
| SME website with 7 to 15 pages | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Custom project with features | 8 weeks or more |
| Classic agency project with several design rounds | 6 to 16 weeks |
These figures are based on the experience of Swiss web studios and assume that feedback comes back quickly. A company website with several pages is rarely finished in less than three weeks.
The typical phases
- Briefing: clarify goals, target audience, pages and features.
- Concept: define the sitemap and structure.
- Design: drafts of the key pages, usually with one to three rounds of feedback.
- Build: build the pages, add the content, set up forms and SEO.
- Testing: check on mobile, tablet and desktop, plus loading times, links and forms.
- Go-live: connect the domain, put the website live, register it with Google.
Each phase ends with a sign-off, so you always know where the project stands.
What delays a project
- Missing content: copy and images are the most common bottleneck.
- Slow feedback: every week of waiting adds a week to the project.
- New requests along the way: extra pages or features in the middle of the project.
- Lots of decision-makers: when five people have a say, every round takes longer.
- Holidays: on both sides. Plan them in right at the start.
How to speed things up
- Choose one contact person who is allowed to make decisions.
- Gather copy, logo, images and login details before you start.
- Give feedback in one go and within a few days.
- Keep the scope of the first release small and plan extensions for afterwards.
- Use a proven system like WordPress instead of having everything developed from scratch.
Sources
- D3 Webstudio: How long does a website project take?
- Frascati: How long does it take to have a website built?
- loaded.ch: Building a website in Switzerland 2026
FAQ
Can I have a website built in a week?
A simple one-pager is doable in a week if copy and images are ready and feedback comes quickly. For a website with several pages, a week is too tight.
How long does a WordPress website take?
With an agency or studio, usually two to eight weeks, depending on the number of pages and the content. A one-pager is much quicker.
What do I need to prepare?
Your logo, copy for each page, images, a list of the pages you want and access to your existing domain. The more complete it is, the faster things go.
How long does an online shop take?
A shop with WooCommerce and ready-made product data can often be built in a few weeks. Custom shops with integrations tend to need four to twelve weeks.
Plan your project with us.
In the initial call, we'll tell you how long your project will realistically take and send you a list of what you can prepare.