[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
As a marketing professional, you understand the significance of a high-quality website for your clients. With your own budget and ROI in mind, you\u2019ve probably found yourself wondering if it\u2019s possible to turn out a professional small business website in a day. While it\u2019s not impossible to create a one-day website for a small business, a day simply isn\u2019t enough time to conduct keyword research, write content, and design a full website in many cases.<\/p>\n
That begs the question: how do you budget your time and resources for small business website design? In this article, we discuss the factors that affect your website development schedule, as well as what to consider when trying to create a website in a week, a day, or anywhere in between.<\/p>\n
[et_pb_section global_module=\"113205 \"][\/et_pb_section]<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Factors that affect website development time” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n There are plenty of tools out there that promise quick, simple website design and development. While most of these tools are helpful when it comes to building a very basic website, there\u2019s simply more to it than just clicking a button.<\/p>\n A good website builder<\/a> can pull a templated design together for you quickly. However, it won\u2019t include the same level of customization and development you\u2019d get from working with an experienced web design team, and that\u2019s something that\u2019s important to a lot of small business owners.<\/p>\n What factors should you consider when determining how much time it\u2019s going to take to build a small business website for your client?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Can you cram all these development stages for a website in a day?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n While it is possible to complete the steps listed above in a single day, it\u2019s certainly not ideal. Trying to build a website in a day can result in a lower-quality website that\u2019s chock-full of issues and errors, including poorly-written copy, ineffective SEO, and broken links or codes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Types of businesses that might benefit from a website in a day” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n It\u2019s usually better to skip the one-day website and aim to build a basic website in a week, a month, or even longer (depending on the scope of the project). However, there are some businesses that could practically operate online from a basic one-day website, even if it\u2019s built on a single page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Small retail shops typically don\u2019t have a large inventory, which means they don\u2019t have a need for a comprehensive e-commerce shop<\/a> either. If your client operates a small, single-location retail shop that only needs a simple website to establish credibility, it may be possible to create their website in a day.<\/p>\n Most home-based businesses, whether they provide a service or a product, don\u2019t need many web pages on their site to advertise their business. A simple homepage with a contact form and a list of services is usually enough to establish an online presence and drive leads to their business.<\/p>\n Depending on the complexity of their services and their business structure, most plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople can advertise the services they need on a one-day website. The ideal trades website should consist of a homepage with a contact form, a list of services, and an about page that includes licensing and affiliations, as well as testimonials from past clients.<\/p>\n Clients providing a simple service locally, such as beauty services, independent attorneys, and accountants, can typically get by with a simple webpage that\u2019s comprised of just a few basic pages. Provided these clients don\u2019t require complex online booking applications or web forms built into their websites, you can typically build a website in a day for them.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Situations when a website in a day is not possible” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n In many cases, creating a one-day website for your clients simply won\u2019t be possible. Your client may make complex requests that require more than a single day to fulfill, such as:<\/p>\n In some cases, clients may also request a website that\u2019s part of a larger project or campaign and in those cases, it\u2019s often best to set aside more than a day to research, plan, and coordinate the design and development of their website.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”What\u2019s the best time frame to create a small business website?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The amount of time you schedule to create small business websites for your clients will vary with every project. While it\u2019s typically not reasonable to plan on creating a website in a day, you may be able to build a website in a week for those with small project scopes.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Things to consider with your estimated website building schedule” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n While a basic three-to-five-page website might be possible to build in a week or less, a website comprised of multiple service pages, team bios, and e-commerce or booking functionality<\/a> will take you much longer to plan, design, and develop.<\/p>\n Consider what you can reasonably complete in an eight-hour work day, keeping in mind that content writing alone will likely take up a considerable portion of your day. For example, the average person\u2019s typing speed<\/a> is 40 words per minute (WPM), meaning that without research, editing, or quality assurance, a content writer can produce a maximum of 2,400 words per hour (Typing Pal<\/a>).<\/p>\n Is your client happy with a templated website that features their logo and basic information about their business? Or do they want an elaborate, branded design full of long-form copy?<\/p>\n Before you send them a schedule or quote, gather specific details about what they want to see and be reasonable about how long it\u2019s likely to take.<\/p>\n When determining your time frame, you\u2019ll also need to keep your client\u2019s desired timeline and associated deadlines in mind and make sure to work within them.<\/p>\n Generally speaking, it\u2019s ideal to allow a minimum of one month to build a website. For clients with more complex or extensive content writing requirements, plan to take as long as six months to complete the entire process from start to finish.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Creating a Small Business Website in a Day FAQs” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Technically, yes \u2014 but only for very simple websites. You can spin up a basic template, add essential info, and push it live within a day. What you can\u2019t<\/em> realistically do in a day is everything that makes a website effective: keyword research, SEO setup, thoughtful design, content writing, UX testing, and development.<\/p>\n A professional build normally includes:<\/p>\n Trying to rush these steps usually leads to mistakes, broken links, and thin content.<\/p>\n A one-day build works best for very small or simple businesses, such as:<\/p>\n These websites typically only need a homepage, service list, contact info, and maybe an About section.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need more than a day if the project requires:<\/p>\n Anything involving complexity, heavy content needs, or unique features takes more time.<\/p>\n Most small business websites fall somewhere between one week and one month, depending on scope. More robust sites \u2014 or ones needing a lot of content \u2014 can take three to six months.<\/p>\n A few big ones:<\/p>\n The more clarity you have upfront, the faster things go.<\/p>\n Content is often the biggest time sink. Even without research, a writer typing at an average of 40 WPM caps out at around 2,400 words per hour \u2014 and that\u2019s before editing, SEO optimization, and quality checks. Long-form pages or highly specific copy can take days or weeks.<\/p>\n Yes, by preparing the right pieces ahead of time. You\u2019ll save hours if the client provides:<\/p>\n Templates, modular blocks, and streamlined workflows also help you move faster without cutting corners.<\/p>\n Usually not. Fast-turnaround sites rely on templates or pre-built layouts. Full custom design requires far more strategy, revisions, and development time.<\/p>\n Quality. A rushed build often leads to:<\/p>\n A website isn\u2019t just a digital business card \u2014 it\u2019s a long-term sales asset.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Learn if it\u2019s possible to create a business website in a day and how to play for the site building process. Read more at Vendasta.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":103,"featured_media":122385,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[1269],"class_list":["post-82763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marketing","tag-website-design-and-hosting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFactors that affect website development time<\/h2>\n
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Can you cram all these development stages for a website in a day?<\/h2>\n
Types of businesses that might benefit from a website in a day<\/h2>\n
Small retail shops<\/h3>\n
Home-based businesses<\/h3>\n
Plumbers, electricians, and tradespeople<\/h3>\n
Basic local service providers<\/h3>\n
Situations when a website in a day is not possible<\/h2>\n
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What\u2019s the best time frame to create a small business website?<\/h2>\n
Things to consider with your estimated website building schedule<\/h2>\n
Website size and complexity<\/h3>\n
Client requirements<\/h3>\n
Creating a Small Business Website in a Day FAQs<\/h2>\n
1. Is it actually possible to build a small business website in a single day?<\/h3>\n
2. What\u2019s included in a full website build that usually takes more time?<\/h3>\n
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3. Who might be a good fit for a \u201cwebsite in a day\u201d?<\/h3>\n
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4. When is a one-day website not<\/em> possible?<\/h3>\n
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5. What\u2019s a realistic time frame for building a small business website?<\/h3>\n
6. What factors determine how long a website takes to build?<\/h3>\n
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7. How long does content writing usually take?<\/h3>\n
8. Can I speed up the website process without sacrificing quality?<\/h3>\n
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9. Should clients expect custom design when building a site in one day?<\/h3>\n
10. What\u2019s the biggest risk of forcing a one-day website build?<\/h3>\n
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