OUTLINE OF CHAPTERS
One of the most common questions we hear from clients at Grizzly is:
“How long will it take to design and launch our website?”
The truth? It depends, on your goals, the complexity of your site, and how ready your content is. But here’s what you can count on with us: a clear, collaborative process with realistic timelines and zero unnecessary delays.
We’ve refined our approach to keep things moving without ever compromising on quality. Below, you’ll find an overview of our typical web design timeline, broken down by phase, with timeframes and examples from past projects.
Phase 1: Discovery & Strategy (1–2 weeks)
Before we get creative, we get strategic.
We kick off with a discovery session where we dig into your business: who you are, who your audience is, what you want to achieve, and who you’re up against. This gives us a rock-solid foundation to build a site that isn’t just pretty, but purposeful.
We use this insight to create a clear structure for your website: user journeys, site architecture, functionality needs, and content planning. If SEO is part of the brief, we’ll weave in keyword research and technical SEO requirements from day one.
Typical duration: 5–10 working days
Key deliverables:
Discovery workshop or kickoff call
Sitemap & strategy doc
User journey outlines
Initial wireframes (if needed)
Example:
A Bristol-based creative studio with existing brand assets might wrap this phase in under a week. A national property group launching multiple service lines could take closer to 2 weeks.
Phase 2: Design (2–4 weeks)
Once the structure’s approved, the visual magic begins.
Our designers get to work in Figma, creating a completely bespoke design that reflects your brand identity and speaks directly to your users. No templates, no shortcuts, just original design tailored to your goals.
We begin with the homepage. Once you’re happy, we’ll move on to key internal pages. The pace depends on how many pages you need and the complexity of the functionality.
Typical duration: 10–20 working days
Key deliverables:
Homepage design
Internal page designs
Feedback rounds at agreed milestones
Example:
For an e-commerce fashion brand with strong visual direction, we’ve completed design in under 3 weeks. In contrast, a B2B tech platform with multiple user types and dashboards took 4 weeks of iteration.
Phase 3: Development (3–6 weeks)
Design signed off? Time to build.
Our developers bring your site to life using clean, scalable code. Whether we’re working with WordPress (with ACF), Laravel, or a custom framework, we follow best practices for performance, security, and flexibility.
Every site we build is mobile-first, SEO-friendly, and tested throughout the build to avoid surprises later. We’ll also advise on the best platform for your needs, whether you’re launching a simple brochure site or a fully custom system.
Typical duration: 15–30 working days
Key deliverables:
Functional staging site
CMS or ecommerce integration
Mobile & browser testing
Example:
A service-led consultancy site might be up and running in 3 weeks. A fintech platform with gated content and user dashboards? Closer to 6.
Phase 4: Content & SEO (Runs alongside or 1–2 weeks standalone)
Content can make or break a project timeline.
If your content is ready, we’ll migrate and format it into your new CMS during development. If not, our content team can write high-converting, keyword-aligned copy tailored to your brand voice and structure.
To avoid bottlenecks, we often run this phase alongside design or development.
Typical duration: 5–10 working days
Key deliverables:
SEO-optimised website copy
CTAs and microcopy
Content formatting in CMS
Example:
One client had our team write and deliver all site copy within the first month. Another, who opted to write their own, added a 2-week delay.
Phase 5: Testing, QA & Handover (1 week)
Before your site goes live, we put it through its paces.
This means functional testing across all major devices and browsers, page speed audits, form checks, accessibility reviews, and more. You’ll also get a walkthrough of your CMS so you feel confident managing content post-launch.
Typical duration: 3–5 working days
Key deliverables:
Final testing & QA
Handover documentation or training
Final tweaks before deployment
Example:
A simple portfolio site might pass QA in 2 days. A membership site with user accounts and gated content? Around 6 days.
Go-Live & Post-Launch Support
Once you give the green light, we handle deployment and monitor performance closely for any post-launch tweaks. We include a 30-day support window to catch any teething issues, and we offer maintenance plans if you’d like us to stay involved.
Launch checklist:
Hosting & DNS setup
Google Search Console + analytics
Technical SEO (301s, sitemaps, robots.txt)
Bug fixes & post-launch support
So, How Long Does It Really Take?
Every website is different, but here’s a rough guide based on our experience:
Small website (5–8 pages): 6–8 weeks
Mid-sized (15+ pages or light functionality): 8–12 weeks
Large/custom build: 12+ weeks
Delays typically stem from slow content delivery or delayed feedback. But with clear goals and timely collaboration, we’ve launched full bespoke sites in as little as 4 weeks.
Fast Doesn’t Mean Rushed
At Grizzly, we strike a balance between momentum and craftsmanship. Our process is agile but never careless. We build websites that are as strategic as they are stunning, because we believe your site should be a growth tool, not just a digital brochure.
You’ll always know what’s happening, what we need from you, and when to expect results.
Ready to start planning your site?
Let’s talk timelines, and design something that works beautifully for your business.