1. How long does it take to build a website on average
The process of building a website can vary significantly in terms of time and complexity. For a basic website built using a pre-designed template, it may only take a few days to put together the content and design. However, for an eCommerce website or more complex and custom websites, the development process can take weeks or even months. A significant factor in the time required to build a website also depends on the tools and methods used. For example, if you use a site builder, the process will be much quicker than if you hard-code the site from scratch. In general, though, most people can expect to spend at least a few days building a templated website, or 4-6 weeks for a bespoke website build.
2. Does it matter which website builder is used?
There are a lot of website builders out there, and it can be difficult to choose the right one. However, it’s important to remember that not all website builders are created equal and many are intended for different audiences. Some website builders are better suited for certain types of websites than others. For example, if you’re looking to build a simple website yourself and have little to no budget, a platform like Squarespace might be a good option. However, if you’re looking to build a more complex website or one that’s professionally designed to engage and convert its visitors then, you’ll need to use either a content management system like WordPress or, if it’s for larger businesses with special requirements (and a budget to match) then you might require a hand-coded website. Most businesses we speak to fit within that middle category so that’s where we’ll focus our efforts for this article. While there are a lot of website builders to choose from, it’s important to select the right one for your needs. WordPress is the most popular CMS (content management system) and powers over 30% of the internet!
But did you know there is a choice of website builders even within WordPress? These are known as page builders. Some popular page builders that work on the WordPress platform include Elementor, Beaver Builder and Divi. In recent years WordPress has begun to adapt and mimic the functionality that these page builders provide with a built-in editor known as Gutenburg with the ‘Blocks’ system. It’s currently lagging behind in features but (being native) does have some advantages. Here at WDM we tend to favour the Elementor page builder as it allows us to create pixel-perfect designs with complete flexibility while also ensuring that website loading speeds are seriously fast.
3. How much time should be allocated for planning, designing and developing a custom website
Whether it’s a brand new site or a website redesign, the building process of a simple website includes five main stages: the Discovery phase, planning, design, development, and testing. Depending on the size and complexity of the site, each stage can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks. For a small basic website with only a handful of pages, the entire process can be completed in as little as two weeks. However, for an eCommerce website or a larger site with dozens or even hundreds of pages, it could take six to eight weeks (sometimes even longer) to complete. In general, the more time that is allocated for planning and designing, the smoother the development process will be. By taking the time to carefully map out the structure and design of the site upfront, potential problems can be identified and addressed before they cause delays later on. As a result, allotting two to four weeks for planning and design is typically sufficient for most custom-built websites.
If there are any problems with the website during the build, this can add extra time to the project’s scope so it’s important that your website/project manager takes steps with you to avoid ‘scope creep’.
4. How much time should be allocated for content creation
Although the design of your website is important, the content is what will really engage your audience and encourage them to come back for more. For that reason, it’s important to allocate enough time for content creation when building a website. Depending on the size and scope of your website, you may need to create all the content yourself or commission someone to do it for you. Either way, it’s worth taking the time to plan out your content in advance. Consider all the pages that will need to be created. This includes not only the main landing page but also any subpages that will be needed. In addition, consideration should be given to search engine optimisation (SEO). This is the process of making sure that the website appears as high as possible in search engine results. While SEO can be time-consuming, it is essential for getting websites seen by potential customers. As a result, content creation should be given a significant amount of time when planning for a new website. By investing in quality content, you can ensure that your website will be a success.
5. What are some common issues that can delay the website development process
Any website development project is subject to a number of potential delays. One common issue is scope creep, which occurs when the original scope of the project is expanded without a corresponding increase in budget or timeline. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as new requirements being added mid-project, or existing features taking longer to implement than originally anticipated. The simplest way to avoid scope creep is to ensure that the project is well-defined from the outset and additional requirements are saved for a “phase 2” and dealt with once the site is launched and running as expected.
Other common issues include web development problems such as delays with arranging web hosting, sorting domain servers, and general delays in communication. Even small delays here can lead to missed deadlines and getting a website up and running. However, with a bit of planning and forethought, these issues can be avoided and a website can be developed without any major delays. In fact, you can download a free guide here that will ensure you’re project is on time and a complete success.
6. What are some tips for ensuring that your website is high quality
As with any business planning, the web development process should start with an evaluation of the goals and objectives for the site. This is often named the ‘discovery phase‘. Once these have been identified, it is important that your web developer (or web development team) have a clear understanding of the target audience. In fact, we suggest setting up client avatars/personas to ensure that you target the right visitors in the right way. Once you know who you are building the website for, the next stage in web development is building a sitemap. This will help content structure and organisation throughout the site. It also helps a great deal as you’ll know what content needs to be produced for each page.
All web development should include some basic on-page Search Engine Optimization so that when the site does go live, it has a chance to rank well in search engines.
A high-quality website should also factor in Page speed as this is important for both users and search engines. Finally, it’s important to run thorough tests on the site to ensure that all links are working, there are no broken pages, and it looks great on all modern devices.
7. How can you make sure your website meets all of your needs
Before you even start thinking about website builders or custom website designs, it’s important to take a step back and assess your needs. The design is only one aspect of your website and believe it or not, whether you like it personally or not is not what’s important. What really matters is that it will appeal to your ideal visitors.
Make sure you’re clear about your goals and objectives for your website. Who is your target audience? What kind of information do you want to include? What tone should the design and content use in order to best engage with your visitors?
Don’t underestimate the discovery phase, make sure that you also consider all possibilities including the functionality of your website. What kind of features do you need? Will this likely change in the future? How will people be able to interact with your website? By taking the time to address these factors early on, you can avoid costly mistakes down the road and ensure that your new website meets all of your needs.
8. What are some things to keep in mind when choosing a web designer
There are a few key things to keep in mind when choosing a web designer. How long does it take to build a website? How much will it cost? What is their process? Are they WordPress experts? How often will you need to communicate? These are all important factors to consider.
Website development is a complex process that involves many different steps. Many developers start by asking you what styles you like then move straight on to designing the website layout, adding content, etc. A good web developer will start by taking the time to ask questions and fully understand what you’re trying to achieve. They will have a clear understanding of this process and be able to take a website from start to finish. However, not all web developers have a defined process. Some may work on an ad hoc basis, picking and choosing which tasks to complete as they go along. This can often lead to delays and errors, as well as a final product that does not meet the client’s expectations. When choosing a web developer, it is therefore important to ask about their process and make sure that it aligns with your needs. If you are looking for a WordPress website, for example, you will want to make sure that the developer has experience in using this platform. By taking the time to ask questions upfront, you can ensure that your website development project runs smoothly from start to finish. Check out our guide to working with your web developer.
Communication is extremely important. You’ll want to choose a web developer who offers regular check-ins and is available when you need them. That could mean weekly phone calls or video chats. If they only offer email or online messaging, this could be a red-flag. However, this does depend on your preference and needs.
Last of all (and this may sound obvious) reviews matter! Take a look at some of their reviews. Are they generally positive? If there are any negative reviews do they seem justified? Is there a common complaint? Most businesses pick up a negative review from time to time but if the overall perception isn’t good, you should probably look elsewhere.
Building a website can take time and it’s important to make sure you’re working with a developer who understands your needs and has a defined process. By asking the right questions and considering all of your options, you can ensure that your website is everything you hoped for.
