The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a brochure website redesign ships in 4 to 8 weeks (scoping 1, design 2, build 2 to 3, QA 1), a corporate site in 10 to 16 weeks. The number-one cause of delay is not technical: it is client content (copy, photos, approvals) arriving late and adding 2 to 4 weeks. A back-planning with contractual milestones cuts slippage by 60 % and secures a go-live date ahead of a trade show.
How long each type of project takes
The timeline depends on scope, not just design. A 5-page site with supplied content moves fast; a multilingual CMS site with 30 pages needs real project management. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude (calendar time, client content delivered on schedule).
| Project type | Pages | 2026 timeline | Indicative budget (excl. tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single landing page | 1 | 1 to 2 weeks | EUR 900 to 2,500 |
| Standard brochure site | 5 to 8 | 4 to 6 weeks | EUR 3,500 to 7,000 |
| Premium brochure site | 8 to 15 | 6 to 8 weeks | EUR 7,000 to 14,000 |
| Multilingual corporate site | 20 to 40 | 10 to 16 weeks | EUR 15,000 to 45,000 |
| E-commerce catalogue | 30+ | 8 to 14 weeks | EUR 12,000 to 40,000 |
Add 1 to 2 weeks for advanced animations, CRM integration or a complex SEO migration.
Where the time actually goes
Many executives assume the site is simply built by the developer. In reality, production spans five phases, and two of them depend mostly on you: scoping and QA. Here is the typical breakdown of a 6-week brochure redesign.
| Phase | Duration | Owner | Delay risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping & sitemap | 1 week | Agency + client | Medium |
| Design mockups | 2 weeks | Agency | Low |
| Content (copy, photos) | In parallel | Client | High |
| Build & CMS | 2 to 3 weeks | Agency | Low |
| QA & fixes | 1 week | Client + agency | Medium |
| Go-live & SEO | 2 to 3 days | Agency | Low |
Content runs in parallel with design: if your copy and visuals are not ready by the end of week 3, the whole plan slips. It is mechanical.
Mini case study
Mark, sales director of an industrial SME in Manchester, wants his new site live for a trade show opening in 9 weeks. Scope: 10 pages, bilingual, a quote form wired to his CRM. The agency proposes a back-planning: scoping week 1, design weeks 2 to 3, content due by end of week 3, build weeks 4 to 6, QA week 7, buffer weeks 8 to 9.
Mark assigns an assistant for 3 days to gather copy and photos before the deadline. Result: site delivered in week 7, two weeks of margin before the show. Cost: EUR 8,500 excl. tax. Had he supplied content piecemeal, the agency estimates +3 weeks, meaning a launch on the show's opening day with no safety margin. The buffer cost EUR 0; it saved the operation.
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FAQ
Can a brochure site ship in 2 weeks?
Yes for a landing page or a 3-to-5-page site with content ready and a mastered template. Below 10 business days, QA and SEO quality suffer; budget EUR 1,500 to 3,500 excl. tax for express mode.
Why does content delay projects so much?
Because it requires internal decisions (legal sign-off, photo choices, marketing trade-offs) that cross several departments. It causes 2 to 4 weeks of delay on most redesigns; locking it before design changes everything.
Must everything be finished before go-live?
No. An effective strategy is to launch a solid core of 6 to 8 pages, then enrich in batches. This lets you hit a trade-show date while still producing content after launch.
Is a back-planning really worth it?
Yes: setting contractual approval dates cuts slippage by about 60 %. Each client day of delay on a milestone pushes delivery by the same, which holds both sides accountable.
How much QA time should I plan?
At least 5 business days to test forms, mobile display, speed and fixes. A complex or multilingual site needs 8 to 10 days of QA to avoid post-launch bugs.
Let's scope your project. Send us your target date (trade show, campaign, opening), page count and whether content is ready: we return a milestone-based back-planning. 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.
