The verdict in three sentences
A serious B2B brochure site ships in 7 to 11 calendar weeks, not three. The main bottleneck is not the code but content delivery and review cycles on the client side, responsible on average for +4 weeks of delay. Locking a firm launch date requires a 1-to-2-week buffer and contractual review SLAs.
What is the realistic phase-by-phase plan?
Each phase has an irreducible duration and dependencies. Content is prepared in parallel with design so it does not block build.
| Phase | Typical duration | Who leads | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping | 1 week | Agency + client | Approved brief, sitemap |
| UI design | 2-3 weeks | Agency | Approved mockups |
| Build | 3-4 weeks | Agency | Staging site |
| Content | In parallel | Client | Copy, photos, legals |
| Review | 1-2 weeks | Client + agency | Fixes, sign-off |
| Total | 7-11 weeks | — | Go-live |
What are the 5 delay causes and how do you avoid them?
Delays almost always come from the same place. Anticipating them turns a 13-week project into an 8-week one.
| Delay cause | Average impact | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Content delivered late | +2 to 3 weeks | Content due before design, contractual deadline |
| Slow reviews | +1 to 2 weeks | 3-business-day review SLA |
| Out-of-scope additions | +1 to 4 weeks | Change-order process, frozen scope |
| Multiple stakeholders | +1 week | A single approver on the client side |
| Review discovered late | +1 to 2 weeks | Acceptance criteria written at scoping |
Mini case study
Sarah, COO of an engineering firm in Amsterdam, wants to launch her site for a trade show dated 15 March. She contacts the agency on 2 January aiming for 4 weeks: unrealistic. The real plan gives 8 weeks, i.e. go-live on 27 February if content is ready by day 10. She blocks one day to write the copy, names a single approver and sets a one-week buffer. Result: site live on 24 February, three weeks before the show, with no rush surcharge (which would have added 15 to 20 % to the quote).
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Can a brochure site ship in 3 weeks?
Yes, but only a template site of 3-4 pages with content already ready, around EUR 3,500-5,000. A custom B2B site of 8-12 pages needs 7 to 11 weeks.
Does rushing cost more?
Yes, an accelerated delivery typically adds 15 to 25 % to the quote to prioritise the team, and raises the risk of errors. Better to plan early.
Who is responsible for content delays?
The client, in 70 % of cases. Contracting a content delivery date and a 3-business-day review SLA protects both parties.
Do you need a buffer in the plan?
Yes, 1 to 2 weeks for a firm launch date. Without a buffer, the smallest review hiccup pushes go-live to the worst possible moment.
When does the clock really start?
At deposit payment and scoping approval, not at quote signature. A project that drags in scoping already starts late.
Let's scope your project. Give us your target date and scope and we will build a realistic 7-11 week plan, indicative budget EUR 8,000-15,000. 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.
