Agency quotes three weeks for a corporate WordPress site—is that turnaround realistic?

Put a clear clause in the agreement: the clock starts only after all copy and assets are transferred from you to the agency. Cap revision turnarounds at 3 business days max. Do not release the final thirty percent installment until the site is live and all contact forms are verified.

We had a similar 10-page site quoted at 3,800 EUR on a 4-week turnaround. Our own internal copy sign-offs lagged by 2 weeks, the agency's mobile optimization dragged on for 3 weeks, and the whole thing finished at exactly 9 weeks. These timelines almost always double.

Sites delivered in three weeks are usually off-the-shelf templates bloated with page builder plugins. Before going live, make sure to audit site speed scores, database queries, and server response times using independent tools.

3 weeks is 100% pre-made template territory. like bespoke coding or custom design won't happen for that budget in that timeframe, sign with the understanding that it's an off-the-shelf theme from day one.

We had a similar contract with a 20-day delivery window. On day 18, the agency put an off-the-shelf theme in front of us full of English placeholder copy and told us 'you enter the content.' The contract didn't state who was responsible for content entry, so we wasted another whole month sorting that out.

edit: fixed a few typos.

Are your German and English copy versions fully prepared, or are you waiting on the agency to write them? If your content isn't ready on your side, that 3-week timeline falls apart on day one.

4,200 EUR is quite low for a bilingual B2B site in the German market. Expecting in-depth SEO architecture and tailored lead-form optimization on that budget and a 3-week deadline is wishful thinking.

In short, if your content is ready, you can get a site up in 3 weeks using a pre-made template, but it won't be a custom job. Protect yourself by putting milestone payments and performance criteria into the contract.

Noted, thanks.

We need to make a distinction here. Taking notes for two weeks yields better results than a six-month estimate.

If I were you, I'd go this route.

the cheap-looking path usually ends up costing more later then the system lives on after delivery; maintenance is a separaate line item.

that's all, sorry if I went on too long.

Let me summarize what's been said so far. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

Following.

There is something to watch out for. tbh start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.

i feel the same way but btw access credentials should be opened in the companys name not personal accounts.

There's a part I don't understand. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

If scope grows, either time or budget must grow. There is no third option. If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.

I'm writing this so you don't make the same mistake. The cheapest quote is usually the least thought-out one.

Of course, it varies if your situation is different.

I agree. like implementing a change request process doesn't slow things down it speeds them up.