Can you make a website in a day? Can you step into the digital world, stake your claim, and create something amazing in just 24 hours? The simple answer is yes, but the more important question is, “will it actually be what you need it to be?”

The Journey Begins: From Scratch to Launch

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. How long does it take to create a website from scratch? Well, the truth is, it depends. It depends on your skills, your time, and your dedication. But with the right tools and the right mindset, you could make a website in a day.

Using a website builder such as Wix or Square Space will give you the right tools to create and build something from scratch within a day. There are downsides to website builders. They can be difficult to use, clunky, and not offer all of the features that you are looking to incorporate into your site. Just like anything else there is a learning curve for how to use the builders too.

The Path of HTML

How long does it take to make a website with HTML? Honestly, when it comes to coding sites it will usually take several weeks. You have to plan out the site, design it, and then build it. The real question is, do you have the technical skills to actually code the site? If not and you are not looking to become a web developer this might not be the path for you. There are website builders out there that might be a better fit.

If you do have the skills, you could technically throw up a quick HTML site. But, it’s not going to look like much unless you are some prodigy coder.

The Power of CSS and JavaScript

Building a website from scratch with just HTML is not going to be what you need it to be. You will also need skills in CSS, possibly JavaScript. Once you start diving into the world of coding, the required skills needed just to develop a site add up.

Remember Development is only one piece of the puzzle. You still need to visually design the site, create the user experience, and tie it into the business value chain.

The Free Route: An Oasis in the Desert

Can you make a website in a day for free? Absolutely. Websites like Wix and WordPress offer free options that can help you build your online presence without breaking the bank. How long does it take to create a website on Wix or build a website in WordPress? It depends on several factors:

1. How large is your site? – 1 page or 100 pages
2. Do you have all of the visual media assets needed for design?
3. How are people going to use and navigate the site?
4. The upfront learning curve if you don’t have any experience using the platform.
5. What business needs does the site need to meet?
6. How are you going to get traffic to the site once it is created?

The Business Path: A Road Less Travelled

How to make a website from scratch for a business? First, all websites should tie back into the business value chain. The design, structure, and technology should all stem from the issues, needs, and goals of the business. Second, creating a site from scratch has multiple steps involved:

1. Architecture – This is the planning stage for the site. It includes wireframes, and mapping out the user experience
2. Design – This is where all visual design occurs. It ties back into the company’s brand and identity.
3. Development – The site is now under construction and is being coded and tied into any company systems.
4. QA – Testing the site to ensure the quality of the build.

Also on the other side. Once the website is built, if there is no marketing to drive traffic no one will see or interact with your site. It would be like putting up a billboard out in the wilderness. It would be useless in driving business.

One of the better routes to build a site from scratch is to partner with a professional firm that has experience in designing, building, maintaining, and driving traffic websites.

To Sum it Up

So, can you make a website in a day? Yes, yes you can, but will it be what you need it to be? Most likely, no, it won’t.

Here’s a question to help you determine what you need – Is this a big business problem? If so, how much is it worth investing in to solve in both time and money?

Answering this question will give you an idea of what steps to take to build your site.

Remember it’s not about how long it takes to create a website from scratch or how long it takes to make a website with HTML. It’s about building and creating a site predicated on your real business issues, needs, and goals.