Building a website is a big step. We get it. Itโs more than just pretty pixels, itโs about telling your story, reaching the right audience, and amplifying your mission online.
How long it takes to build a website can depend on a number of factors, including your goals, the complexity of your site, and your content assets. Some websites can be built in a matter of weeks, while others take many months.
Whether you’re a charity, nonprofit, or a purpose-driven business, our website design process puts your mission at the centre, helping you build a website that truly makes an impact. This guide breaks down the factors that influence the website design process so you know what to expect and how you can set yourself up for success.
Key Factors That Affect Website Build Timelines
Not all websites are created in an equal length of time. Here are the main elements that determine how long a website takes to build:
- Size & complexity โ A simple 3-page site (home, about, contact) is much quicker to build than a 50-page site with donation platforms, e-commerce, or membership systems.
- Design requirements โ Custom designs and new brand assets can add time compared to using existing designs.
- Content readiness โ Having copy, images, and videos prepared in advance can speed things up dramatically. Content creation is often the biggest bottleneck.
- Features & functionality โ Donation forms, event registration, multilingual support, and integrations with other tools all add development time.
- Team & collaboration โ More stakeholders can result in more feedback rounds and revisions, which extends the website build timeline.
Our Website Design Process
Our WordPress website design service creates custom, responsive websites built specifically for your organisationโs goals. Whether you need a complete site redesign or are starting from scratch, our WordPress specialists deliver websites that are both beautiful and functional.
To make sure every project runs smoothly, we follow a clear, collaborative process that takes you from initial planning to launch and beyond.
Hereโs what you can expect when working with us on a standard medium-sized website:
1. Prepare
The foundation of every successful project is preparation. In this first phase, we set up comprehensive contracting and project governance to ensure transparency and clarity from the start.
- We establish clear communication channels so you always know who to contact and how updates will be shared.
- The project scope is defined, ensuring everyone is aligned on deliverables, timelines, and goals.
- Governance structures are put in place, providing transparent decision-making processes.
This stage lays the groundwork for a collaborative journey and helps avoid surprises later in the project.
2. Discovery (Weeks 1โ2)
The discovery phase is about understanding your mission, your audience, and your goals. We begin with strategic kick-off meetings where we dive into what makes your organisation unique.
During this phase, we:
- Conduct user research to understand the needs of your audience.
- Review brand guidelines to ensure the website feels consistent and authentic.
- Gather essential content and assets, from copy to images and videos.
This step ensures your website resonates with your community and directly supports your mission.
3. Design & Build (Weeks 3โ8)
With a clear strategy in place, we bring your vision to life. This is where your website begins to take shape.
- We start with site mapping, creating a clear structure for your pages.
- Next, we develop interactive prototypes so you can see how users will navigate your site before itโs built.
- Using agile design sprints, our WordPress designers work in iterative cycles, gathering your feedback along the way.
Throughout this process, we prioritise accessible design and sustainable web development, ensuring your website is not only beautiful but also ethical, functional, and future-proof.
4. Testing (Weeks 9โ10)
Before launch, we run comprehensive quality checks to make sure everything works exactly as it should.
- Internal testing ensures the site functions flawlessly across devices and browsers.
- We invite you to conduct client testing, giving you the chance to explore the site and flag any issues.
- The site is optimised for performance, accessibility compliance, and SEO to ensure your audience can find and use it effectively.
This careful approach means your website is robust, reliable, and ready to support your mission from day one.
5. Deployment (Weeks 11โ12)
The final stage is launching your site and setting you up for long-term success.
- We manage a seamless deployment, making your new website live for the world to see.
- Our team provides post-launch monitoring and immediate support to address any issues that arise.
- We deliver team training so you can confidently manage your website in-house.
- Finally, should you wish, we transition you to one of our website care plans for continued security, updates, and optimisation support.
In total, building a medium-sized website from discovery to launch takes around 12 weeks. This time is necessary to make sure there’s team alignment, designs are pixel perfect, and every element is functioning as it should. The result? A website that truly represents your organisation and sets you on the path to achieve your goals.
How to Speed Up the Website Design Process
- Have content ready early โ Avoid delays by preparing copy and visuals before design begins. This is easier said than done but can make a big difference to the timeliness of the process. In our experience, received final content is the most common cause of delayed projects.
- Focus feedback rounds โ Avoid endless rounds of revisions by designating one main point of contact in your team to gather input and make decisions.
- Set clear goals โ Knowing what your site is aiming to achieve prevents scope creep, informs what the design needs to do, and keeps the build focused and on track.
- Prioritise features โ Review your goals and launch with โmust-havesโ first, add โnice-to-havesโ later. This is especially important if you have a large site or are working within tight deadlines.
Final Thoughts
A website isnโt just about creating a digital presence, itโs a tool for connecting with supporters, donors, and communities. By following a structured, transparent website design process, we ensure your site not only launches smoothly but helps your achieve your goals and continues to grow with your organisation.
Whether youโre a charity, nonprofit, or social business, our process puts your mission at the centre helping you build a website that truly makes an impact.
Ready to build your new website? Reach out today to get started.
