"How long will this take?" is one of the first questions every business owner asks when planning a landing page project. The answer varies dramatically based on your approach, but having realistic expectations is crucial for planning your launch.
In this guide, we'll break down timelines for different approaches and help you understand what factors extend or shorten your project.
Quick Answer: Timeline Overview
Before diving into details, here's a quick summary:
- DIY with templates: 1-7 days
- Freelancer project: 1-4 weeks
- Agency project: 4-12 weeks
Now let's explore what determines where your project falls within these ranges.
DIY Template Timelines: 1-7 Days
Building a landing page yourself with templates is the fastest option—if you know what you're doing.
Same-Day Launch (4-8 hours)
A same-day landing page is possible when:
- You use a simple tool like Carrd or Framer
- You have all your copy written and ready
- You're using a template with minimal customization
- You have images and assets prepared
- You've built landing pages before
This timeline works for MVPs, quick tests, or simple lead capture pages.
Weekend Project (2-3 days)
A more realistic timeline for first-timers includes:
- Day 1: Choose your platform, select a template, set up your account
- Day 2: Customize the template, add your content, adjust styling
- Day 3: Test on multiple devices, connect your domain, launch
This pace allows time for learning the tools while still moving quickly.
Full Week (5-7 days)
When you're being thorough:
- Days 1-2: Research templates and competitors, write your copy
- Days 3-4: Build and customize the landing page
- Days 5-6: Test everything, gather feedback, make revisions
- Day 7: Final checks and launch
What Extends DIY Timelines
Several factors can push your DIY project beyond a week:
- Learning curve: New tools take time to master
- Copy struggles: Writing effective landing page copy is harder than it looks
- Perfectionism: Endless tweaking without clear goals
- Technical issues: Domain setup, form integrations, and debugging
- Missing assets: Waiting for logos, images, or testimonials
Freelancer Timelines: 1-4 Weeks
Working with a freelancer introduces coordination time but delivers better results than most DIY attempts.
Fast-Track Projects (1-2 weeks)
Quick freelancer projects work when:
- The freelancer has availability and prioritizes your project
- You have all content and assets ready before they start
- The scope is clearly defined with no ambiguity
- You commit to fast feedback turnaround (same-day or next-day)
- The design is template-based or follows their existing patterns
Typical breakdown:
- Days 1-2: Kickoff, requirements gathering
- Days 3-5: Design and first draft
- Days 6-8: Revisions based on feedback
- Days 9-10: Final polishing and launch
Standard Projects (2-3 weeks)
Most freelancer projects fall into this range:
Week 1:
- Discovery call and requirements documentation
- Content and asset collection
- Initial design concepts or wireframes
Week 2:
- Full design development
- First round of revisions
- Development/build begins
Week 3:
- Development completion
- Testing and bug fixes
- Final revisions and launch
Extended Projects (3-4 weeks)
Longer timelines happen when:
- Custom illustrations or photography are needed
- Complex integrations require additional development
- Multiple stakeholders need to approve designs
- The freelancer is juggling other projects
- Significant content writing is included in scope
What Affects Freelancer Timelines
Your responsiveness matters more than you think. A freelancer waiting 3 days for your feedback on designs adds 3 days to your timeline. Multiple rounds of slow feedback can easily double your project duration.
Scope creep is a timeline killer. Every "small addition" extends the project. That animation you thought of mid-project? That's another 2-3 days.
The freelancer's schedule is crucial. A freelancer working on your project full-time moves faster than one splitting time across multiple clients.
Agency Timelines: 4-12 Weeks
Agencies take longer because they include more stages in their process, but these stages often produce better outcomes.
Streamlined Agency Projects (4-6 weeks)
Faster agency projects include:
Week 1: Discovery
- Kickoff meeting with stakeholders
- Brand and competitor review
- Requirements documentation
- Project planning
Week 2: Strategy & Wireframes
- Content strategy development
- Information architecture
- Low-fidelity wireframes
- Internal review
Weeks 3-4: Design
- High-fidelity designs
- Design presentations
- Revision rounds
- Final design approval
Weeks 5-6: Development & Launch
- Design-to-code development
- Quality assurance testing
- Client review and feedback
- Launch preparation and go-live
Standard Agency Projects (6-8 weeks)
Add time for:
- More extensive discovery and research
- User testing of wireframes or prototypes
- Multiple design concepts to choose from
- Integration with complex systems
- Content creation (copywriting, photography)
Complex Agency Projects (8-12+ weeks)
Enterprise-level projects extend timelines when:
- Multiple stakeholders require approval at each stage
- Legal or compliance review is necessary
- Custom photography or video shoots are included
- Extensive user research informs the design
- The landing page is part of a larger campaign launch
- Multi-language or multi-region versions are needed
Why Agencies Take Longer
Agency timelines aren't slow—they're thorough. Here's what fills the extra time:
Process overhead: Status meetings, documentation, and quality checkpoints ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Team coordination: A project manager, designer, developer, and copywriter all need to sync their work.
Strategy work: Agencies don't just build what you ask for—they help determine what you should ask for.
Quality assurance: Testing, review cycles, and polishing take time but catch issues before launch.
Factors That Affect All Timelines
Regardless of approach, certain factors consistently impact how long your landing page takes:
Content Readiness
Having all your content ready before design begins can cut 1-2 weeks off any timeline. This includes:
- Headline and body copy
- Testimonials with permissions
- Product images and screenshots
- Team photos and bios
- Pricing information
- Legal disclaimers
Decision-Making Speed
Every decision point is a potential delay:
- Template or design direction approval
- Copy revisions and sign-off
- Feature prioritization
- Integration choices
Fast decisions keep projects moving. Slow decisions add days or weeks.
Technical Complexity
Simple projects move faster:
- Single-page vs. multi-page
- Standard forms vs. complex workflows
- Basic styling vs. custom animations
- Simple analytics vs. advanced tracking
Revision Rounds
Each revision cycle typically adds:
- DIY: 1-2 hours per round
- Freelancer: 2-5 days per round
- Agency: 3-7 days per round
Limiting revisions (or making them count) keeps timelines tight.
Timeline Comparison Table
| Approach | Minimum | Typical | Extended |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Template | 1 day | 3-5 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Freelancer | 1 week | 2-3 weeks | 4+ weeks |
| Agency | 4 weeks | 6-8 weeks | 12+ weeks |
Realistic Planning Tips
Build in Buffer Time
Whatever estimate you're given, add 25-50% buffer. Projects rarely finish early but often run late.
Work Backward from Your Launch Date
If you need to launch in 6 weeks, an agency with an 8-week timeline isn't the right choice—unless they can expedite.
Front-Load Your Preparation
The work you do before the project starts (content, assets, requirements) directly reduces project duration.
Set Clear Feedback Deadlines
Agree upfront on turnaround times for feedback and approvals. Hold yourself accountable.
Define "Done" Early
Know what success looks like before you start. Unclear goals lead to endless revisions.
Making Your Choice
When choosing your approach, consider your timeline constraints:
- Need to launch this week? DIY with templates is your only option
- Have 2-3 weeks? A focused freelancer project can deliver quality
- Can plan 2+ months ahead? An agency partnership ensures comprehensive results
Remember: rushing a landing page often costs more in the long run through poor conversion rates. When possible, invest the time to do it right.