When you've decided to get a website sorted, you want it live yesterday. So how long does it actually take?
For most trades businesses, a proper website can be built and live in one to three weeks. But the build is only part of it. Here's what the full timeline really looks like, what slows things down, and when you can expect it to start bringing in work.
Typical timelines
A standard trades website: 1 to 3 weeks
Home page, services, areas you cover, a gallery of your work and a contact form. This is what most sole traders and small firms need, and a good web designer can turn it round quickly once they have everything from you.
A bigger site: 3 to 6 weeks
Lots of individual service pages, dozens of area pages, detailed project case studies, or anything custom like a booking system or quote calculator. More pages and more features mean more time.
DIY builders: however long you've got
In theory you could knock something up on Wix in a weekend. In practice, most tradesmen who go this route are still "finishing it off" months later, because there's always a job that comes first.
What actually slows it down
Here's the honest truth. The build itself is rarely the hold up. It's usually waiting on things from you.
Photos of your work
Real photos are the most important thing on a trades website, and the thing people take longest to send over. Start collecting them now. Phone photos are fine, as long as they're clear and show the finished job.
Your logo
If you don't have one yet, it needs designing first, since everything else is built around it. That can add a few days.
Knowing what you want to say
Which services you offer, which areas you cover, what makes you different. A good web designer will help you with this, but they need your input to get it right.
Domain and email
If you already have a domain registered with someone else, getting access to move or connect it can take longer than expected, especially if a mate set it up years ago and nobody remembers the login.
Back and forth on changes
A round or two of tweaks is normal. Where it drags is when feedback comes in bits over several weeks. Sitting down once and going through everything speeds it right up.
Going live
Once the site's signed off, getting it live is quick. Connecting the domain usually takes a few hours, occasionally up to a day or two while the change spreads across the internet. After that, it's live and anyone with the link can see it.
When will it show up on Google?
This is where people get caught out. Being live isn't the same as being found.
- Searching your company name: usually within days to a couple of weeks, once Google has found the site
- Searching your trade in your area: this takes longer, often a few months, and depends on how competitive your trade and area are
- Google Business Profile: can start showing you on the map much sooner, which is why it's worth setting up alongside the website
A website is like a van that's just been signwritten. It works from day one when people see it, but it takes time to get seen by the right people.
How to get yours live faster
- Gather 10 to 20 good photos of finished jobs before you start
- Write down every service you offer and every town or area you cover
- Find your logo files, or decide you need one designed
- Find out who your domain is registered with, if you have one
- Set aside one session to go through the first draft properly
Do those five things and most trades websites can go from first chat to live in a couple of weeks.
Want to know what yours would cost as well? Have a read of how much a website costs for a tradesman, or get in touch for a straight quote and timeline.