How much time before launching a site?

[Iskander]

I started a site in 1997 and took it live immediately...

... I'm still working on it.

I don't know if I will ever start a second site in this lifetime, but if I ever do, I'm not sure I would ever consider not developing it in public.

I'm not sure I understand what the advantage is of developing a site for any amount of time on your hard drive first.

[monk-i]

Some websites need to look professional and well rounded from the off. If they are not they will just fall down at the first hurdle. It depends on the market. If you are approaching professionals in their niche then it needs to be at the standard they expect and better than anything out there or you will fall flat on your face or have a big mountain to convince them in the future.