A custom Showit website typically takes 5 to 7 weeks from your kickoff call to launch day. If you are using a template and doing it yourself, you can be live in 1 to 2 weeks. If you are hiring a designer to customize an existing template, expect 2 to 4 weeks. But if you want to know how long does it take to build a custom Showit website from scratch with a professional designer, the honest answer is 5 to 7 weeks for most projects.
I have built over 90 Showit websites for clients across photography, coaching, VA services, and creative businesses. Knowing exactly how long does it take to build a custom Showit website helps you plan your launch strategy, set client expectations, and avoid the delays that push projects past their deadlines. In this post I am breaking down the exact timeline phase by phase, what causes projects to run long, and what you can do right now to get your site done faster.
The 3-Tier Showit Timeline at a Glance
Not every Showit build is the same. Here is how the three main approaches compare on timeline, cost, and what you actually get:
| Approach | Who it is for | Typical Timeline | What drives the time |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY with a template | You buy a Showit template and build it yourself | 1 to 2 weeks | How fast you can write copy and swap images |
| Template customization by a designer | Designer takes an existing template and customizes it to your brand | 2 to 4 weeks | How quickly you deliver brand assets and content |
| Fully custom design | Designer builds your site from scratch, unique to your brand | 5 to 7 weeks | Strategy, design rounds, content delivery, revisions |
Most clients searching for how long does it take to build a custom Showit website are in that third tier. That is what the rest of this post is about.
Week-by-Week: The Custom Showit Design Timeline
Here is exactly how a fully custom Showit project runs across 5 to 7 weeks. This is the process I use with every client, and it is the most accurate answer to how long does it take to build a custom Showit website when working with a professional designer.
Week 1: Discovery and Strategy
The project kicks off with a strategy call where we cover your brand positioning, target client, site goals, and the pages your business needs. I review your existing brand assets, any competitor sites you love, and your content wishlist.
By the end of Week 1, you have a confirmed sitemap (the list of pages), a content brief for each page, and a clear picture of the direction the design is going in. This phase is the foundation that prevents expensive changes later.
Week 2: Design Concept
This is where the visual identity of your site comes to life. I build the homepage design concept in Showit, including your typography pairing, colour palette, layout structure, and overall aesthetic. You see a full homepage mock before a single other page is touched.
You have two to three business days to review and give feedback. Most clients request small adjustments here. Larger directional changes are rare at this stage because the strategy call in Week 1 aligns expectations before any design work begins.
Week 3: Full Site Build
Once the homepage concept is approved, I build out every remaining page using the approved design system. For a standard 6 to 8 page site this includes: homepage, about, services, individual service pages, contact, and blog archive. Each page is built for both desktop and mobile.
This is typically the longest working week on my end. Showit builds desktop and mobile views separately, which gives you full creative control over both versions, but it does require deliberate work on each. Clients are not usually involved much here unless I need clarification on content.
Week 4: Content Integration and Refinement
Your copy, images, and brand photos are dropped into the live design. I handle image optimization, internal linking, and SEO foundations including Yoast meta titles, meta descriptions, and focus keywords for every page. Any pages that need copy adjustments to fit the layout get flagged for your review.
This is also where mobile optimization is finalized. Showit builds desktop and mobile separately, which gives you full control over how each version looks, but it does require deliberate work on both views.
Week 5: Client Review and Revisions
You receive full access to a staging version of the site. This is your dedicated review window, typically 3 to 5 business days. Most packages include one full round of revisions at this stage. I collect all feedback in a single document to avoid back-and-forth over multiple messages.
For clients who come in with all content ready and clear feedback, Week 5 is often the smoothest week of the whole project. For clients who are still finalizing copy or deciding on photos, this is where timelines start to stretch.
Week 6 to 7: Launch Preparation and Go-Live
After revisions are complete, I handle the technical launch checklist: domain connection, DNS configuration, Showit SSL, redirect setup if you are migrating from another platform, 404 checks, and a final cross-browser test. I also submit your site to Google Search Console and run the Google Indexing API to push your URLs into the index from day one.
Most projects launch in Week 6. Projects that run into Week 7 typically do so because of domain transfer delays (which are outside anyone’s control) or a second round of revisions requested by the client.
What Causes Custom Showit Projects to Run Long
After 90+ custom builds, I can tell you the delays almost never come from the designer’s side. Here are the four things that push timelines out most often:
1. Content is not ready at kickoff
This is the single biggest delay in every web design project, not just Showit. If your copy is not written and your photos are not ready when the project starts, the designer is waiting on you, not the other way around. A 6-week project can easily become a 10-week project when content trickles in page by page.
2. Revision scope expands mid-project
Asking for a layout restructure in Week 4 is not a small change. It cascades across desktop, mobile, and every related page. Most designers, myself included, build scope boundaries into contracts specifically to protect the timeline. Changes beyond the agreed scope move to a separate queue.
3. Slow feedback turnaround
If a designer sends you a design concept and you take 10 business days to respond, that is 10 days added to your timeline. Most designers need feedback within 3 to 5 business days to keep the project on track. Life happens, but a delayed review always delays the launch.
4. Domain and hosting complications
Transferring a domain from a previous host, waiting for DNS propagation, or untangling an old website setup can add 2 to 5 days to the end of a project. It is worth auditing your domain situation before you even sign a contract.
How to Speed Up Your Custom Showit Build
The biggest factor in how long it takes to build a custom Showit website is content readiness. If you want your site done as close to 5 weeks as possible, here is what to have ready before your designer’s kickoff call:
- All website copy written and finalized for every page, or at minimum a detailed outline per page
- Brand photos selected and exported at high resolution, organized by page
- Your logo files in SVG or PNG format with transparent background
- Your colour palette and font names documented, or a brand style guide if you have one
- 3 to 5 websites you admire with notes on what specifically you like about each
- Your domain login credentials ready so DNS changes can be made immediately at launch
- A clear list of every page and feature you need, including forms, booking integrations, and blog setup
Clients who show up to kickoff with all of the above consistently launch in 5 weeks or less. Clients who are still finalizing copy during the build routinely hit 8 to 10 weeks. The timeline is largely in your hands.
If you are not sure what a designer needs from you, read my guide on questions to ask before hiring a Showit designer and my breakdown of what is actually included in a Showit website design package before you sign anything.
Does the Number of Pages Affect the Timeline?
Yes, significantly. Page count is one of the most overlooked variables when clients ask how long does it take to build a custom Showit website. Here is how page count typically maps to timeline for a fully custom build:
- 4 to 5 pages (homepage, about, services, contact, blog): 4 to 5 weeks
- 6 to 8 pages (adding individual service pages or a portfolio): 5 to 7 weeks
- 9 to 12 pages (adding sales pages, a resources page, or multiple service tiers): 7 to 10 weeks
- 12+ pages or complex integrations (Kajabi embed, MemberVault, full WooCommerce): 10 to 14 weeks
The baseline 5 to 7 week answer applies to a standard 6 to 8 page service business site. If you need a full funnel with sales pages, opt-in pages, and third-party platform integrations, budget closer to 10 weeks and discuss scope in detail during your discovery call.
For a full look at what drives the cost alongside the timeline, see my post on how much it costs to hire a Showit designer in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to build a custom Showit website from scratch?
A fully custom Showit website built from scratch by a professional designer takes 5 to 7 weeks on average. This covers strategy, design concept, full site build, mobile optimization, content integration, revisions, and launch. Projects with more pages or complex integrations can take 8 to 10 weeks.
Can a Showit website be built in a week?
A DIY Showit website using a pre-made template can be launched in 1 to 2 weeks if your content and brand photos are already ready. If you are asking how long does it take to build a custom Showit website by a professional, one week is simply not enough time to do it properly. Rushing a custom build leads to skipped mobile optimization, no SEO setup, and a site that looks unfinished at launch.
How long does template customization take compared to a fully custom Showit site?
Designer-led template customization typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. A fully custom build takes 5 to 7 weeks. The difference is that template customization starts from an existing layout, which saves roughly 2 weeks of design and build time. The trade-off is that your site shares a structural foundation with other businesses who bought the same template.
What is the biggest cause of delays in a Showit web design project?
Missing or late content is the number one reason Showit projects run over schedule. When copy and photos are not ready at kickoff, the designer cannot complete the build. A project contracted for 6 weeks regularly stretches to 10 or 12 weeks when content arrives in pieces. Having all written copy and final images ready before the project starts is the single most effective thing you can do to stay on schedule.
Does Showit take longer to build than Squarespace or WordPress?
A custom Showit build takes roughly the same time as a custom WordPress build, typically 5 to 8 weeks. It is generally faster than a fully coded WordPress site and comparable to a Squarespace custom design. The key difference is that Showit requires building desktop and mobile views separately, which adds time but gives you far greater design control over both versions.
How do I know if my Showit project is on track?
A well-run Showit project should have a clear milestone schedule shared at kickoff: design concept delivery date, full build completion date, your review window, and the target launch date. If your designer has not shared a written timeline with milestone dates, ask for one before signing. For a checklist of what to look for before hiring, see my guide on 12 questions to ask before hiring a Showit designer.
The Bottom Line
If you are asking how long does it take to build a custom Showit website, the honest answer is 5 to 7 weeks when you hire a professional designer and come prepared. The designer controls the design and build phases. You control the content delivery and feedback speed. Both halves have to move to hit the launch date.
I have launched Showit sites in as few as 4 weeks for clients who arrived fully prepared, and I have seen projects stretch to 14 weeks when content was finalized during the build. The timeline is a shared responsibility. Remember that how long it takes to build a custom Showit website depends almost as much on you as it does on your designer.
If you are ready to start planning your Showit website, get in touch here and I will send you a project timeline based on your specific page count and scope.
About the Author
Adil Makhdoom is a Showit website designer and SEO specialist based in Pakistan, working with creative entrepreneurs and service-based businesses worldwide. With over 90 custom Showit projects completed, he focuses on building sites that rank on Google and convert visitors into paying clients. Available on Upwork.
