How long does a Laravel application take to build?

Firstly, what is Laravel?

Laravel is a free, open-source PHP web framework created by Taylor Otwell in 2011. Laravel quickly gained momentum and has become one of the most popular PHP frameworks.

A web framework is the bedrock of an application. It provides the foundations and a set of standardised tools that a developer can use to create bespoke web applications.

Laravel is used by developers and agencies worldwide, allowing them to create a range of applications, from small to enterprise-level. 

Steadfast Collective <3 Laravel.

Back in 2018, we wrote an article called Why we’re all in on Laravel. Since then, we’ve written countless lines of Laravel code, hired and trained many Laravel developers and launched thriving web applications, all underpinned by Laravel.

In 2023, we became Laravel Platinum Partners. The process of gaining partnership included Taylor Otwell seeing first-hand reviews from our clients and reviewing our technical abilities and experience.  

Laravel Partnership has given us unprecedented access to the Laravel core team, ensuring we can stay close to what’s happening at Laravel, all while partnering with them to grow the ecosystem.

How long does it take to build a Laravel Application?

As you may expect, this is entirely based on your requirements, but we can give you a rough idea. 

The majority of new web applications we build go through the following process:

• Strategy (1 week)

• UX / UI Design (4 weeks)

• Development (8-16 weeks) 

• Testing (2 weeks)

Strategy: This initial phase involves understanding the project's requirements, establishing the scope, and designing the application's architecture. Decisions are made regarding the database schema, third-party integrations, and the overall project roadmap. We strongly believe that the more you ‘sharpen the axe,’ the more successful the rest of the project will be.

UX / UI Design: User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design is much more than creating a homepage that looks great. Experienced designers can consider the platform's objectives, aims, and audience, ensuring the platform not only looks slick but also helps the audience and business reach their end objective. 

Development: Most of the time is spent coding the application in this phase. The duration depends on the application's complexity, the number of features, and the level of custom development required. 

Testing: Testing is critical to ensure the application's reliability and security. This phase involves unit testing, integration testing, and user acceptance testing (UAT) to identify and fix any issues before the application goes live.

Remember, these timelines are estimates. Factors such as additional feature requests, changes in project scope, and unforeseen technical challenges can affect the overall timeline.

Wrap up

At Steadfast Collective, we specialise in building complex and bespoke Laravel Applications.

It’s no surprise that most of our clients want to create a mission-critical application that’s core to their business. That’s why one key objective for applications we build is for the platform to have longevity and be a solid foundation for continued development.

It’s in no one's interest to build and rebuild a web application year after year. The time and care must be taken to carefully consider and craft each step of the process. 

If you have any further questions about Laravel, our partnership with Laravel, or web applications in general, feel free to reach out.