So You're Thinking About a Website Redesign?

Thinking about a new website? You aren't alone. Whether you're rebranding, chasing better SEO, or saw something you like better, it's tempting to make the jump to redesign light speed.

Before you dive in and create the RFP, here are five questions to consider. You just might find that small changes could save you some big money in the long run.

1. Is your website functionally broken? If your site has slow load times, broken links, or doesn’t work on mobile, that's a tough combo to overcome. Usability is non-negotiable. If visitors can’t navigate your site easily, they won’t stick around. HubSpot has a great tool to measure some of these criteria in seconds.

2. Has your branding changed significantly? A new logo, color palette, or messaging may warrant a full redesign to stay visually consistent. But if your brand identity is intact, you may just need some visual touch-ups rather than starting from scratch.

3. Can users find what they need — and take action? Ask this question: What do you want people to do when they land on your website? Look at your site as a user. Are calls to action clear? Is info easy to find? If the answer to these is yes, some cosmetic upgrades may be just the ticket. If the answers are not so clear, you may want to do some further research.

4. Are you ranking poorly on search engines? Sometimes, technical SEO problems are rooted in the site’s architecture. In that case, a rebuild could help. But if your site is structurally sound, better content and metadata might be all you need. Screaming Frog has a limited free version that can help.

5. What’s your budget and timeline? A full redesign takes time and money and often more of both than expected. Website redesign costs can range from as little as a few thousand dollars to over $150,000 for more intensive and larger websites. If you’re on a tight schedule or budget, start with improvements that offer the most impact: homepage updates, speed optimization, and better content. Making sure that users are getting what they need is job No. 1!
   

   

   Employees perform a sticky wall exercise for website redesign

   
   

Website Redesign Bottom line?

Not every website needs to be torn down and rebuilt. Do your research. Start with your goals, assess the real issues, and then decide whether a full redesign or a strategic refresh is the best for your business.