Lee's "Get Online" Series
One of the most common questions we get is, "How long does it take to set up a website?" The answer varies depending on the complexity of your website, your experience with web development, and the tools you’re using. Whether you’re setting up a simple personal blog or a fully-featured business site, this guide will break down the typical steps and timeframes to help you plan.
Let’s walk through the process and give you an idea of how long each stage might take.
1. Choosing and Registering Your Domain (10-30 minutes)
The first step to getting online is securing your domain name—the web address where people will find your site. If you already know what name you want and it’s available, registering it through a domain registrar like GoDaddy or Namecheap is quick and can be done in as little as 10 to 30 minutes.
Time-saving Tip:
- Have a few backup domain name ideas ready in case your first choice is taken.
2. Selecting a Hosting Provider (30 minutes – 1 hour)
Once you have your domain, you need to choose a hosting provider. Your hosting service will store your website files and make them accessible to visitors. Comparing providers can take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your needs and budget.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Pricing: Monthly or annual costs.
- Speed: How fast will your website load?
- Support: Do they offer 24/7 customer support?
If you want to speed this up, look for recommendations based on your website’s purpose. For example, WordPress users might choose a host with one-click WordPress installations like Bluehost or SiteGround.
3. Building the Website (1 day – 2 weeks)
Now comes the most time-consuming part: building the website itself. How long this takes depends heavily on the type of site you want and the platform you use.
- Website Builders (1-2 days): Tools like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.com offer drag-and-drop functionality that allows even non-technical users to get a simple website live in a day or two. These platforms come with pre-made templates, so the design work is minimal.
- Custom Sites (1-2 weeks): For more complex websites that need custom design, specific features, or advanced functionality, you might need one to two weeks (or longer) to build, especially if you’re working with a web developer.
Factors to Consider:
- Content: How much time do you need to create text, images, and videos?
- Customisation: Will you use a template, or are you building from scratch?
4. Testing and Launching (1 day – 1 week)
Before your site goes live, it’s essential to test it thoroughly. This includes checking that all links work, images load correctly, and the site looks good on both desktop and mobile devices. This process can take anywhere from a day to a week depending on the size of the site.
- Basic Testing (1 day): For smaller sites, checking a few pages and forms is usually enough.
- Comprehensive Testing (3-5 days): For larger, more complex sites with eCommerce functions, multiple forms, or user logins, more in-depth testing will be needed.
Once everything is working smoothly, it’s time to launch your site!
5. Ongoing Updates and Optimisation (Ongoing)
A website is never truly “finished”. After launch, you’ll need to keep it updated, especially if you’re using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress. Regular updates ensure that your site remains secure, functions properly, and performs well.
- Basic Updates (1-2 hours per month): Installing updates for plugins, themes, and security patches.
Content Updates (varies): Adding new blog posts, pages, or updating information can be done at your convenience.
So, How Long Does It Really Take?
To summarise, the total time to set up a website can vary significantly based on the complexity of your site, how much content you have prepared, and whether you choose to DIY or hire help.
Here’s a rough breakdown:
- Basic Website (with a website builder): 1-3 days.
- Custom Business Website (with development work): 1-2 weeks.
- Complex Website (eCommerce, custom functions): Several weeks or more.
We hope you ejoyed the second part to Lee's "Get Online" series...
Keep your eyes out for future editions on the Teknobu website and social media platforms!
