The verdict in three sentences
The duration of a web project depends less on technology than on your responsiveness: a showcase site takes 5 to 15 days, an e-commerce store 3 to 8 weeks. The main bottleneck is almost never development, but design validation and content delivery (text, photos, logo). By preparing your content before kickoff, you can cut the total timeline by 30 to 50%.
Realistic phase-by-phase timeline
Here is the breakdown of a web project in 2026, with durations per phase and who's responsible.
| Phase | Showcase duration | E-commerce duration | Owner | What slows it down |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping / brief | 2-3 days | 3-5 days | Client + agency | Vague goals |
| Design mockups | 3-5 days | 5-8 days | Agency | Validation back-and-forth |
| Development | 5-10 days | 10-20 days | Agency | Complex features |
| Content / integration | 2-4 days | 4-8 days | Client | Late text/photos |
| QA / testing | 1-3 days | 3-5 days | Client + agency | Late feedback |
| Go-live | 1 day | 1-2 days | Agency | DNS, hosting |
| Total | 5-15 days | 3-8 weeks | — | — |
For a well-prepared showcase site, the total drops to 5-7 working days. For an e-commerce store with Wave/Orange Money payments and 50+ products, count on a realistic 4-6 weeks.
The bottlenecks and how to avoid them
In 2026, here are the most frequent causes of delay and their measured impact on total duration.
| Cause of delay | Impact on timeline | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Content delivered late | +3 to 10 days | Prepare text/photos before D0 |
| Slow client validations | +2 to 7 days | Cap each validation at 48 h |
| Incomplete initial brief | +3 to 5 days | Signed written brief |
| Out-of-scope requests | +2 to 15 days | Freeze scope, batch 2 later |
| Design indecision | +2 to 6 days | Choose from 2 mockups max |
| Payment webhooks to test | +2 to 4 days | Wave/OM accounts ready upfront |
The golden rule: deliver 100% of your content before kickoff. A complete pack (vector logo, 10-20 HD photos, page text, legal notices) can halve the total time.
Mini case study
Aminata, a pastry chef in Dakar, wants her showcase site for a launch in 10 days. She hesitates to sign. The agency shows her the timeline: if she supplies her text and photos at signing, the project fits in 7 working days (scoping 2 d, design 2 d, dev 2 d, QA 1 d). So she prepares her pack over a weekend: logo, 15 cake photos, text for the 5 pages. Result: the site goes live in 6 days, in time for her launch. Without that ready pack, the agency estimated 12 to 14 days — meaning 4 days of launch revenue lost, around 240,000 FCFA per her forecasts.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How long for a showcase site in 2026?
Between 5 and 15 working days depending on complexity and your responsiveness. A well-prepared project, with content supplied from the start, commonly delivers in 5 to 7 days.
Why does e-commerce take longer?
Because you must integrate the product catalog, the cart, Wave/Orange Money payments with tested webhooks, and the admin dashboard. Count on 3 to 8 weeks, including 2 to 4 days just to validate payment webhooks.
Who is most often responsible for delays?
In about 70% of cases, it's the client side: content delivered late or slow validations. A serious agency gives you a reverse schedule where your deadlines are as clear as theirs.
Can a web project be accelerated?
Yes, by preparing all content before D0 and capping each validation cycle at 48 hours. This cuts the total timeline by 30 to 50% without sacrificing quality.
What is the QA phase?
It's the final testing phase: navigation, forms, payments, mobile display. Count on 1 to 3 days for a showcase site and 3 to 5 days for e-commerce, with your feedback returned within 48 hours.
Let's talk about your project. At Kolonell: a dated reverse schedule and showcase delivery in 5 to 7 days if your content is ready. 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.
