"How long will it take?" is one of the first questions every business owner asks — and the honest answer is it depends on you as much as the builder. Here's a realistic breakdown so you know what to expect.
The short answer
A professional small-business website typically goes live in 1–3 weeks once it starts. A simple brochure site can be faster; a large site or online store takes longer. At Portawebia, you see a free homepage demo within 72 hours, and the full site launches in about two weeks after you approve it.
A realistic timeline
- Day 0 — You share your details. A short form about your business, goals, and style. ~3 minutes.
- Within 72 hours — First demo. A real, built-for-you homepage you can click around. No payment yet.
- Days 3–10 — Build & revisions. The rest of the pages, your content, and any tweaks you request.
- ~Day 14 — Launch. Domain connected, final checks, site goes live.
What speeds a project up
- Having your content ready — logo, photos, opening hours, services, and any text you want included.
- Quick feedback — the faster you reply to a demo, the faster it moves.
- A clear goal — "I want more booking enquiries" is easier to design for than "I just want a website."
What slows a project down
- Waiting on photos or copy from your side.
- Big changes in direction halfway through.
- Extra features added mid-build (a shop, a booking system, multiple languages).
Does "faster" mean "worse"?
No — as long as the speed comes from a good process, not shortcuts. A demo-first approach is fast because it removes the slow parts (endless meetings, quoting, back-and-forth) rather than skipping the work. You still get revisions and a satisfaction guarantee.
Curious how quickly yours could come together? Get a free demo in 72 hours — no calls, and you only pay if you love it.
Related reading: Custom code vs WordPress vs Shopify · How much should a small-business website cost?