A Realistic Guide for Beginner Web Studios
For new web studios, planning time realistically is crucial for delivering projects on schedule and maintaining client trust. We’ll break down key development stages and provide updated time estimates for two typical projects: a landing page and a more complex website with API integrations. We’ll also show how the number of people in your team and their skill levels affect these timeframes.
Example 1 — Landing Page (Single-Page Website)
Goal: Create a visually appealing one-page website to showcase a product or service.
| Stage | Time (Hours) | % of Project | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Design | 20–40 hrs | 35–45% | Single designer: 20–30 hrs. Larger team (designer + developer ready for feedback): 30–40 hrs. |
| – Style selection (colors, fonts, images) | 8–12 hrs | Faster with UI kits. | |
| – Creating a layout in Figma/Adobe XD | 8–12 hrs | Use templates if available. | |
| – Client feedback & revisions | 4–8 hrs | Plan at least 1–2 revision rounds. | |
| 2. Frontend Development | 16–30 hrs | 30–35% | Single developer: closer to 30 hrs. With frameworks (Bootstrap/Tailwind) and experience: 16–24 hrs. |
| – Basic structure (HTML/CSS) | 8–12 hrs | ||
| – Mobile responsiveness | 4–8 hrs | ||
| – Animations & effects | 2–6 hrs | ||
| 3. Basic Functionality | 4–8 hrs | 10–15% | Minimal JS and form handling. |
| – Contact form | 2–3 hrs | ||
| – Google Analytics setup | 1 hr | ||
| – SEO basic setup | 1–2 hrs | ||
| 4. Testing & Final Edits | 6–10 hrs | 15% | Cross-browser and device testing is often underestimated! |
| – Cross-browser and mobile testing | 3–5 hrs | ||
| – Performance optimization | 2–3 hrs | ||
| – Final client adjustments | 1–2 hrs |
Total time: 46–88 hours (Depending on whether you are working solo or have a 2–3 person team with at least one mid-level developer or designer.)
Pro Tip: Use Figma UI kits and Tailwind or Bootstrap to cut down design and frontend time by up to 30%. If you are working alone, expect slower feedback cycles and longer testing phases.
Extra Tip: Add a 15–20% buffer time for unexpected revisions – especially if the client is not 100% clear in their initial feedback.
Example 2 — Website with API Integration (e.g., E-Commerce, Portal)
Goal: Build a dynamic multi-page website with user accounts, shopping cart, and third-party API integrations.
| Stage | Time (Hours) | % of Project | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Design | 30–60 hrs | 20–25% | Prototypes for multiple pages and UX flows. |
| – Complex page layouts (catalog, dashboard) | 16–24 hrs | ||
| – Interactive elements (filters, modals) | 8–16 hrs | ||
| – Mobile adaptation | 6–12 hrs | ||
| 2. Frontend Development | 40–70 hrs | 25–30% | Team with experience in frameworks (React/Vue) works faster. |
| – Components (grids, modals, filters) | 18–30 hrs | ||
| – CSS preprocessors (Sass/Less) | 8–12 hrs | ||
| – Framework integration (React/Vue) | 14–28 hrs | ||
| 3. Backend Development & API Integration | 70–130 hrs | 40–45% | Key bottleneck! If you have a backend/API specialist, it can go faster. |
| – Database setup | 16–24 hrs | ||
| – Custom API (auth, cart, dashboards) | 24–40 hrs | ||
| – Third-party integrations (Stripe, Firebase, email, SMS) | 18–32 hrs | ||
| – API testing (Postman/PostgREST) | 8–12 hrs | ||
| 4. Testing, Debugging, Deployment | 20–40 hrs | 10–15% | Full-cycle testing (functionality, security, load tests). |
| – Security checks (XSS, SQL injections, auth flows) | 8–12 hrs | ||
| – Load testing (Apache Benchmark/JMeter) | 6–10 hrs | ||
| – Bug fixes and final polishing | 6–10 hrs |
Total time: 160–300 hours
- Solo developer: closer to 300+ hours.
- Small team (3 people, including one experienced backend/API specialist): closer to 160–220 hours.
How to Optimize Workflow
- Templates & Libraries: Figma Community UI kits, Material Design templates, Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, Postman collections.
- Clear Project Scope: Define requirements precisely.
- Agile & Micro-Sprints: Break tasks into 3–5 day sprints, report weekly.
- Buffer Time: Always add 15–25% extra time for unexpected issues.
- Risk Management: Verify third-party APIs and reserve integration time.
Quick Time Estimation Table
| Project Type | Stage | Solo Developer | Small Team (2–3 People) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landing Page | Design | 20–30 hrs | 20–24 hrs | Faster if designer and frontend developer work in parallel. |
| Frontend Development | 16–30 hrs | 16–24 hrs | Tailwind/Bootstrap recommended. | |
| Basic Functionality | 4–8 hrs | 4–6 hrs | Form handling, basic analytics. | |
| Testing & Final Edits | 6–10 hrs | 6–8 hrs | More thorough with separate tester. | |
| Complex Website (API, E-Commerce) | Design | 30–60 hrs | 30–45 hrs | Separate UX/UI speeds things up. |
| Frontend Development | 40–70 hrs | 40–55 hrs | React/Vue experience critical. | |
| Backend & API Integration | 70–130 hrs | 60–90 hrs | Backend specialist essential. | |
| Testing, Debugging | 20–40 hrs | 18–30 hrs | Security and API load testing. |
Summary
- If you work alone, always plan for the upper time estimate plus a 20–25% buffer.
- If you have a team of 2–3 people with experience, you can accelerate the project by 30–40%.
- For complex sites involving integrations, if you lack API/BaaS experience, it’s safer to allocate an extra month for development.
Explaining Realistic Project Timelines to Clients
In real project discussions, it’s common for clients to mention that other studios offer shorter timeframes or lower prices.
While it’s important to listen to client concerns respectfully, it’s equally important to explain why realistic planning is critical for a successful project.
Fast promises can sometimes mean hidden compromises — rushed design, skipped testing, incomplete API integrations, or unstable functionality.
When facing such discussions, it is helpful to explain:
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A realistic schedule ensures proper design quality, functionality, security, and long-term scalability.
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If faster delivery is crucial, one option is to simplify the project scope, reducing the number of custom features to fit a tighter timeline.
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In some cases, it may also be possible to offer flexible pricing models depending on project complexity.
Example phrases you can use during client conversations:
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Keeping the timeframe, adjusting the budget:
“We believe our estimated timeframe is realistic for delivering a high-quality product. However, we are open to discussing a flexible pricing model to better fit your budget.”
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Keeping quality, simplifying features:
“If faster delivery is a priority, we can propose a streamlined version of the project with fewer custom features. This way, we can meet a tighter schedule without sacrificing quality.”
Clear and honest communication about time, quality, and realistic expectations builds trust and leads to better project outcomes for everyone involved.