The verdict in three sentences
A web project holds its schedule when the phases are sequenced and client content arrives on time. 2026 ranges: brochure 5-9 weeks, corporate site 10-18 weeks, portal or line-of-business app 4-9 months. The biggest delay risk is not technical: it is the availability of your text, images and sign-offs.
Reference timelines by project type
2026 orders of magnitude for the EU market, with client content delivered on time.
| Project type | Realistic timeline | Compressed (at risk) |
|---|---|---|
| Brochure 5-8 pages | 5 - 9 weeks | 3 - 4 weeks |
| B2B site + blog + SEO | 8 - 12 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Multilingual corporate site | 10 - 18 weeks | 8 weeks |
| E-commerce | 10 - 16 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Portal / client area | 4 - 7 months | 3 months |
| Line-of-business app | 5 - 9 months | 4 months |
A compressed timeline is not impossible, but it has a price: doubled resources, fewer iterations, or reduced scope.
The key phases of a project
Each phase depends on the previous one. Skipping a step does not save time: it costs more later.
| Phase | Share of timeline | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Framing & RFP | 10 % | Validated scope |
| UX/UI design | 25 % | Approved mockups |
| Content (client) | Parallel | Text, images, translations |
| Development | 35 % | Working site |
| Content integration | 15 % | Filled pages |
| QA & testing | 10 % | Fixes, sign-off |
| Go-live | 5 % | Site in production |
The "content" phase is parallel on paper, but in practice it blocks integration if not ready: it is friction point number one.
Factors that stretch the schedule
Knowing these causes lets you neutralise them at framing stage.
| Delay cause | Typical impact | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Late client content | +2 to +6 weeks | Content deadline in the RFP |
| Slow sign-offs | +1 to +4 weeks | One decision-maker, 48 h limit |
| Scope additions | +1 to +8 weeks | Change orders, v2 backlog |
| Late multilingual | +2 to +5 weeks | Translations from the start |
| Third-party integrations | +1 to +6 weeks | API access tested early |
| Insufficient QA | Go-live slip | Planned QA, not improvised |
The golden rule: every day of client-side sign-off delay pushes the delivery date by at least the same amount.
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Mini case study
Marc, CEO of an industrial mid-cap in Lille, wants his new multilingual corporate site for a trade show in 10 weeks. The realistic timeline is 14 weeks. Two options: compress (doubled resources, +6,000 EUR, quality under strain) or launch a priority version (home, products, contact) in 8 weeks and the rest afterwards. He picks the priority version, makes the show with a credible site, and delivers the remaining 12 pages 5 weeks later. He thus avoids the compression premium and the stress of rushed QA before the event.
FAQ
Why did my project run late when the agency was fast?
In 6 cases out of 10, the cause is client content or slow sign-offs. Development can be on time; if text arrives 3 weeks late, delivery slips by the same amount.
Can we really go faster?
Yes, by cutting scope or doubling resources (+30 to +60 % cost). Compressing without either sacrifices QA, which is paid back in post-launch bugs.
How long does the design phase take?
About 25 % of the project, i.e. 2 to 4 weeks for a B2B site. Endless mockup revisions are the second cause of slippage after content.
Do we have to deliver everything at once?
Not necessarily. A phased go-live (priority pages first) lets you meet a firm deadline like a trade show, then enrich later without pressure.
How do I secure a firm go-live date?
Set the content deadline 3 weeks before go-live, name a single approver, and keep a one-week QA buffer. A date with no QA buffer is a fictional date.
Let's scope your project. Give us your target deadline and scope, and we will propose a realistic schedule with milestones and a content deadline. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
