How long does it take you to develop a site?

[WebForging]

Did an NP search on time to develop and got interesting threads (posted to several), but none (at least on the first page of results) 'hit the nail on the head': How much time does it take you to develop a site?

I ask because appraisals often suggest "low $xx as is, mid-high $xxx developed". My web shop rarely develops a site that involves the skills of fewer than 7 people (design, production, programming, hosting/email, marketing, billing, account exec) and involves less than 100 hours-plus of work. To (hopefully) go from mid-$xx to mid-$xxx for a hundred-plus hours of work (on spec) is a payout of less than $5 / hour, if it pays off at all!

My questions, more succinctly:

1. How long does it take to develop a 'mini-site' (one very long page)?
2. How long to develop a site with the look and feel of 20 pages?
3. How long to develop a forum or other interactive site?

Other notes: Do you do it all yourself, or some portion and farm out the rest? Do you work with someone regularly? Do you use a 'formula' or templates? I'd really like to know!

ADDED JUNE 19 (Happy Fathers Day to the Dads out there!)

Trying to get a look inside some fellow NPers heads...given the effort it takes to develop a site (like 1, 2 or 3 above) - what plays into your decision of whether to proceed? What is your value proposition? Do you have to see potential for a huge financial payback? Are you building for sale? Are you building to generate PPC revenue?

Are you only interested if you find the whole project interesting? Is it a combination of these factors? Are there other factors?

Trying to get perspective from NPers on the decision functions on whether to develop or not - how much time does it take and what makes you decide to devote the time.

Regards,
Keith

 

[NickRac]

depends on wether or not I am focused, and how intense the site...

example: it took me about 20 minutes to do www.eatsushi.info

but now I am working on a webhost review site with custom design + coding which is taking over a month now, and it's not even open yet

 

[EbookLover]

Problem is, I have a feeling that when they say "developed websites are worth more" I don't think that by "developed" they only mean developed. I think they mean developed WITH traffic and inbound links (and other SEO). I could be wrong but that is the impression I get as it seems no easier to sell developed domain sa oppsed ot a non-developed domain. Especially if you are looking to sell to a bunch of traders. They only pay wholesale most of the time, as you already probably know.

If this is the case, then it seems that "developing" most domains would be a waste of time unless you know exactly where to get the end users that will pay you enough for your time spent (good luck with that). End users are not crawling al over this forum or even sites like SEDO. When the average buyer thinks of getting a domain, they look to reg a new one for $10-$20, not pay hundreds or thousands for one, even though developed.

So when you take into consideration the time spend developing, doing SEO, and then looking for the end-user and sending out emails to potential end-user buyers trying to not look like a spammer, it seems it is hardly worth the time for the vast majority of domains.

I'd love to hear more on this, too.

HOLY COW, Web Forging!!! I just noticed you have almost 20K NP$!!! You can retire soon, aye?! LOL

 

[ThreeD]

it all really depends, but anywhere from a couple of hours to several months. All depends on the size of the project and what it includes. My current project has been going on for 4 months now, and it's not even published. It's huge, running off a major db, can't wait to get the site up and running

 

[jamminsport16]

yeah all depends on how much u want to do. you can do a free weblayout/template at like freewebs or geocities =] where u just type in what u want & where. but if your going to develop a very complex site will take a while.

 

[DJ-Sound]

I agree above, depends if your making a serious business plan invest 100k a month site, or just developing on your own with free time.

I have had websites custom designed with a professional writer for the content in under a month. But with all serious business websites you need to put in alot of time in seo and other online marketing and continue to keep the website updated and growing.

 

[Midano]

How much time does it take you to develop a site?

How long does it take to build a house? Can you answer?
Is this a doghouse for your backyard or the Sears Tower? Same with the websites.

 

[harkster]

But with all serious business websites you need to put in alot of time in seo and other online marketing and continue to keep the website updated and growing.

I would remove the word business from the above. With the exception of some very small 'brochure'(sp?) site IMHO development never stops.

Fresh look and content, fine tuning and promotion never ends.

All my sites are done by a staff of 3. Me, myself and I (+ occasional data entry by a neice who is very cool young girl).

 

[WebForging]

hmmmm....

All excellent, thoughtful observations thus far. It takes A LOT of time and effort to develop a site, let alone SEO/SER/traffic...and all that needs to be taken into consideration for appraisals of $xxx developed.

Still interested in what makes you decide to develop (purely financial?) and how long development takes for various sizes of sites.

Interested in more thoughtful outlooks on the cost / benefit. :gl:

Regards,
Keith

p.s.: NickRac, if you say you did www.EatSushi.com in 20 minutes, I have to believe you. Would you like a job at my shop?

 

[Ray]

it takes me about 2 months to completely finish it

 

[WebForging]

not sure what that means...

it takes me about 2 months to completely finish it

Not sure what that means and what else you're doing. What is that in man-hours. Does it include SEO/SER?

I work about 80 hours a week. 4.3 weeks/ month. 2 months. 80 x 4.3 x 2 = 688 hours. Even someone who only works 40 hours would have a 324 hour project...is that what you're saying?

Regards,
Keith

 

[Jon_]

it all really depends, but anywhere from a couple of hours to several months. All depends on the size of the project and what it includes.

With the exception of some very small 'brochure'(sp?) site IMHO development never stops.

Two very good points.

I agree with both of them.

 

[WebForging]

bump

More thoughtful reflections welcome.

Regards,
Keith

 

[barefoottech]

How long is a piece of string
Defining Develop in the context of Websites is just as difficult
I can put a Instant style website within 2Minutes using SOmething like SiteBuilder or Similiar
Throw together a few scripts (MAMBO,phpBB,ozticket, Coppermine Photo Gallery ) in under 15minutes using Fantastico
CHuck a Stock Standard Template From TemplateMonster on The Domain in 1 hour
or spend 6 Months Writing a Custom Portal ,Getting Links, Getting SEO, Advertising, Promoting and Building a Solid reputation and Clientele

 

[WebForging]

ok, BareFootTech...

How long is a piece of string
Defining Develop in the context of Websites is just as difficult
I can put a Instant style website within 2Minutes using SOmething like SiteBuilder or Similiar
Throw together a few scripts (MAMBO,phpBB,ozticket, Coppermine Photo Gallery ) in under 15minutes using Fantastico
CHuck a Stock Standard Template From TemplateMonster on The Domain in 1 hour
or spend 6 Months Writing a Custom Portal ,Getting Links, Getting SEO, Advertising, Promoting and Building a Solid reputation and Clientele

Good answer - now what is your value proposition? What triggers the decision to do nothing, to do instant, to do scripts plus template, or to devote months/hundreds of man hours writing custom?

Do you have to see potential for a huge financial payback? Are you only interested if you find the whole project interesting? Is it a combination of these factors? Are there others?

Just trying to look inside some NPers heads... :tri:

Regards,
Keith

 

[Mayur]

Yea it depends on the site. Takes me anywhere from an hour to two months.
heathergraham.info - 2 hours
ashleyjudd.info - 45min

I had some other big sites but I just stopped caring for them.
Im currently working on a Photoshop Community. Was recently hacked so I have to start over

 

[jeter4982]

Good answer - now what is your value proposition? What triggers the decision to do nothing, to do instant, to do scripts plus template, or to devote months/hundreds of man hours writing custom?

Do you have to see potential for a huge financial payback? Are you only interested if you find the whole project interesting? Is it a combination of these factors? Are there others?

Just trying to look inside some NPers heads... :tri:

Regards,
Keith

Well, I think it really depends on the domain. Most of the sites I sell I plan on selling from the beginning, so though I think its important to put some time into the project, I normally don't spend as much time as I would for a site which I plan on keeping and developing. That being said, even on these "Turnkey" websites, I do put some work into them. Even if it just some small changes, such as a new logo, altering the template, or changing the script around a little bit, I think these changes significantly influence my selling price. As for time, I think it really depends what you consider developed. I can make a website in 2-3 hours, but I think for a website to truly be developed, it needs some traffic, and backlinks. This would take a few more weeks at least, so in total, I would say it takes about 2 months to have a fully functional website.

Tom