The honest answer is: it depends. A five-page brochure site takes a fraction of the time a custom WooCommerce shop does. But the timeline is almost never purely about the build itself.
Typical timelines by site type
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Mini one-pager (single-scroll site): 1 to 2 weeks
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Small business brochure site (4 to 8 pages): 3 to 6 weeks
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Larger informational site (10 to 20 pages): 6 to 10 weeks
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Basic WooCommerce shop (under 50 products): 6 to 10 weeks
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Custom e-commerce with complex requirements: 10 to 16 weeks or more
These assume the project moves at a normal pace. Projects that move faster are usually client-driven (fast content, fast approvals, fast feedback). Projects that take longer are also almost always client-driven.
What actually slows a build down
Nine times out of ten, the delay is not on the agency or developer’s side. It is on the client’s side. The most common holdups:
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Content that is not ready (copy, images, product descriptions, team bios)
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Design feedback rounds that take weeks instead of days
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Decision-making by committee (three people who need to agree on every colour)
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Scope changes mid-project (“can we add a booking system?”)
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Hosting or domain setup that has not been sorted before the build starts
A professional developer can build quickly. They cannot build at all without the content and feedback that only you can provide.
The role of content
Content is the biggest single variable. A site cannot be finished if the pages are empty. If you want a realistic timeline, the question to ask yourself before you start is: “Can I have all my copy and images ready within two weeks of starting?”
If the answer is no, build that delay into your timeline from the start rather than discovering it two-thirds of the way through the project.
How many revision rounds are normal?
A standard web design project includes two to three rounds of design feedback before moving to development. One more round of feedback on the built site before launch. More than that is a sign that either the brief was not clear enough at the start, or the feedback is not consolidated (multiple people giving conflicting notes separately rather than one set of agreed feedback).
What to have ready before you start
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A clear brief: what the site needs to do, who it is for, what you want them to do on it
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All copy, or at least a plan for when it will be ready
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Brand assets (logo, colours, fonts if you have them)
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Any reference sites you like (and notes on specifically what you like about them)
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Domain access details and hosting sorted (or clarity on who is handling this)
What about cheaper, faster options?
Template-based builders like Wix or Squarespace can produce a basic site faster and cheaper than a custom WordPress build. The trade-off is flexibility: you are constrained by what the template allows. WordPress is more work upfront but gives you a platform you can grow.
Our mini one-pager sits just under R4,000 and is designed for businesses that need something live quickly without the full build timeline.
Read next
If you are weighing up whether WordPress is the right platform, our web design service page covers what we build and what it costs. For what comes after the build, read Do I need a WordPress maintenance plan.
For the bigger picture, our complete guide to WordPress for South African small businesses pulls all of this together.
Need a hand?
We build WordPress sites for South African small businesses, from simple one-pagers to full WooCommerce setups. Have a look at our web design service or get in touch and we will tell you what a realistic timeline looks like for what you need.
Not sure which service fits? See everything we do with WordPress, from builds to rescues to ongoing care.
