A small business website usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to build once your content is ready, and a larger site or an online store takes 2 to 4 weeks. Custom web applications are scheduled project by project. The biggest factor is not the design or the code; it is how quickly the text, photos and logins arrive.
These are the timelines we work to at Canadian Web Designs. You see the first design mockup within 48 hours of sending your content.
Timelines by type of website
| Website | What it includes | Typical time to launch |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Website ($299) | Up to 3 pages, contact form | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Startup Website ($449) | WordPress, up to 7 pages | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Professional Website ($699) | Up to 15 pages, booking and payments | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Startup Ecommerce ($899) | Shopify or WooCommerce, up to 75 products | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Pro Ecommerce ($1,699) | Unlimited products, inventory, abandoned cart emails | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Custom Web Application ($3,499) | Portal, booking system, LMS, CRM or marketplace | Scheduled during planning |
Prices are one-time, in Canadian dollars, plus HST. Timelines start when we have your content. See what each package includes.
The five stages
1. Scope
We agree on the pages, features and goals in writing. You send your logo, brand colours and any sites you like.
2. Design
You see the first mockup within 48 hours of sending content. Most projects need one or two rounds of changes.
3. Build
The approved design becomes a working site: pages, forms, booking or checkout, mobile layouts and on-page SEO.
4. Content and review
Your text and photos go in, and you review the whole site on your phone and computer. This is where most delays happen.
5. Launch
We connect the domain, set up SSL, submit the sitemap to Google and test every form. If you are replacing an old site, we set up redirects so you keep your search rankings; our migration checklist explains why that matters.
What slows a website down
- Content that is not ready. Pages cannot be finished without text and photos.
- Waiting on logins. Domain, hosting and old-site access often take days to find.
- Many decision makers. Each extra approver adds a review round.
- Scope changes mid-build. A new section is fine; a new direction restarts the design stage.
- Ecommerce data. Product names, prices, photos and shipping rules for every product take time to gather.
How to get your website live faster
- Write the text for your main pages before the project starts, even roughly.
- Gather 10 to 20 real photos of your work, team or premises.
- Find your domain and hosting logins on day one.
- Name one person who approves the design.
- Keep a list of "later" ideas instead of adding them mid-build.
What about a DIY website builder?
You can often put a basic page online with a builder quickly. Getting it to look professional, work well on phones and be set up for Google usually takes much longer than people expect, especially alongside running a business. If you are weighing the options, our comparison of Wix vs WordPress may help, and our guide to choosing a web design team covers what to ask before you hire.
Ready to start?
For a full breakdown of what a site costs, see how much a WordPress website costs. When you are ready, get a free quote and we will send you a dated timeline with your proposal.
