Website Timeline

How Long Does It Take to Build a Website?

A custom business website takes two to six weeks from kickoff to launch. A complex portal or app takes six to twelve weeks. Here is the honest timeline, with the numbers.

Reality Shifting Tech, a Philadelphia web development and AI agency, builds custom sites from $5,149 and ships updates every 48 hours during the build. You see progress the whole way.

Timeline by project type

  • Custom business site. Two to six weeks from kickoff to launch.
  • Complex portal or app. Six to twelve weeks, with logins, data, and integrations.
  • Progress updates. Every 48 hours during the build, so you never wonder what is happening.

What slows a build down

  • Late content and copy. A site cannot ship without words and images.
  • Scope changes mid-build. New features reset the timeline.
  • Slow feedback. Designs wait on approvals, not on developers.

What RST charges

  • Custom sites from $5,149. A fixed price with a written scope.
  • Flat-fee retainer. $7,199 per month for ongoing updates and support.
  • Updates every 48 hours. Unlimited revisions, no hourly billing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a custom business website take?
Two to six weeks from kickoff to launch. The range depends on how many pages, how much custom design, and how fast you send content and feedback.
How long does a complex portal or app take?
Six to twelve weeks. Portals have logins, data, and integrations, and each of those adds build and testing time.
What makes a build go faster?
A written scope, content ready before the build, and fast feedback on designs. The biggest delays come from late content and changes mid-build.
Will I see progress during the build?
Yes. RST ships updates every 48 hours during the build, so you see the site coming together the whole way instead of waiting weeks for a reveal.
What slows a website build down?
Late copy, scope changes, and slow approvals. That is why a fixed scope and a fast feedback loop matter more than the developer's speed.
How much does a custom site cost?
RST builds custom sites from $5,149. Ongoing updates and support are covered on the flat-fee retainer of $7,199 per month.

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Tell us what you need. You get a launch date and a fixed price within 48 hours, no obligation.

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See pricing at how much a website costs.