How long does it take to build a small business website?
The short answer
A straightforward small business website — five or six pages, your services, photos and contact details — takes about two weeks when the builder has what they need. Most delays aren't design: they're waiting on your content.
What the two weeks is spent on
Days 1–3 are questions: what you do, who you serve, what you want people to do when they land on the page. Days 4–10 are the build and your review. The last few days are the practical part — domain, SSL, contact form testing, phone numbers that actually dial.
The three things that cause every delay
Photos. If you don't have decent photos of your work, premises or team, that's usually the hold-up. A phone camera in daylight is fine.
Prices and service details. If you haven't decided what to publish, nobody can write the page.
Domain access. If an old provider controls your domain, getting it pointed correctly can take a few days on their end, not yours.
Ways to make it faster
Send everything in one go: services, pricing if you publish it, your hours, service area, photos, and two or three competitor sites you like. That alone can save a week.
Don't wait for perfect copy. A site can go live and be corrected the same day — words are the easiest thing to change.
Last reviewed 2026-09-22