How much time to build a web site

This question always comes up. How much time does it really take to build a WordPress based website?

That question is a loaded question and there are so many variables. But to get a generic idea I put a sample WordPress website together with a Real Estate niche.

Sample site – www.yorbalindapropertylistings.com

I used some pictures and text from other sites/friends in Yorba Linda and wording from Raj Qsar and Vista del Verde. The IDX search solution is from Linsey Planeta

Thank you for the use of images and text.

Initial Setup:

Buy domain
Buy and Setup hosting account
Install wordpress

Time: 1 hour 

Setup Email (if needed) Using Google Apps

Time depends on how many accounts and if teaching needs to happen

Minimum time: 1 hour

Initial Setup of WordPress and Theme:

Install Genesis
Iinstall AgentPress 2 ChildTheme
Adjust permalinks
More settings needed updating but not done

Time: 1 hour

Install and setup Plugins:

Genesis Simple Sidebars
Genesis Simple Slider
Gravity Forms
dsIDXPress
These are just what I installed and not all that should be there

Time: 2 hours

Now the hard part and the most time intensive

Starting out with the initial page structure. I built 5 pages for the site.

Home Search
Contact Us
Kerrigan Ranch
Vista del Verde
Eastlake Village
Need about page (not done)

Area pages took longer because I also created a custom sidebar (with plugin) for each page (3 total). Then for those pages I also created a custom IDX property widget

Time for those pages: 5 hours (approx)

Design Modifications:

CSS color and design changes mostly
PHP updates

Time: 3 hours (approx) 

Write a few posts:

Find pictures for posts and featured image and generic content.

Time: 2 hours (approx)

Total Time = 15 hours

Is the site done?

Not even close. But at this point it is a good starting point for a Real Estate agent to start blogging and driving traffic.

How much does this cost?

Contact me if you want something similar and/or you are interested in purchasing the site for yourself.

6 Comments

  1. Cloud Computing on November 12, 2011 at 10:11 am

    Thanks for this type of article.Actually everyone try to create or build blog.And when they start they have not much knowledge about this and time.For this reason in the middle way they stop work.I hope after reading this type of article everyone is aware that how much time for building a website.

  2. Rob Thiessen on November 16, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    Nice write up.. .Helps me a lot.

  3. Loren Nason on November 16, 2011 at 9:53 pm

    Thanks Rob.

    BTW, nice mod of a Thesis theme

  4. Rob Thiessen on November 20, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    thanks but I need to make it work better or switch to Woo or something. I need some help. Do you have any RE sites in Woo that you built? Scott Schang told me to check your site out.

  5. Christina Lannen on December 1, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    It also depends on how well you really know WordPress. I do have to question the reasoning behind 3 different sidebars as using conditional statements or setting up multiple widget areas can all be done within a single sidebar. Or use Widget Logic plug-in.

    I will say this there is NOT one theme that is better for anything.

    • Loren Nason on December 1, 2011 at 5:14 pm

      Yes, it all depends on how well you know WordPress. I padded my numbers to reflect someone not as familiar as myself with WP. Sometimes multiple sidebars are easier from a management perspective and also trying to teach a client to use Widget Logic Plug-in. I have used Widget Logic a lot but if the site is managed by me all the time and the client does it, widget logic can be confusing to some.

      Yes, I agree there is not one theme that is better for anything.

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