Hello! We’re John and Brian, and we’ve been designing websites for small businesses from our office in Preston, Lancashire since 2009. Building a good website is only the first step. To keep working for your business, it needs to keep up with how people browse, what your customers expect and how your business changes. So how do you know when a website redesign is necessary, and when it can wait? Here’s our plain-English guide.

When should you redesign your website?

It’s time to consider a website redesign when your site is no longer doing its job: it looks dated next to your competitors, it’s awkward to use on a phone, it’s slow, it’s hard to update, or it simply isn’t bringing in enquiries or sales. If the problems are small, a refresh of the content and a few design tweaks may be enough. If they go deeper, a redesign is usually the better investment.

There’s no fixed timescale. Some websites stay effective for years with regular care, while others date quickly. It’s better to judge by how well your website is working than by how old it is.

10 signs you need a website redesign

It looks dated. If your website uses visual styles that look out of place next to more modern competitors, visitors may assume your business is out of date too.
It’s hard to use on a phone. Tiny text, buttons that are hard to tap and pages that need zooming are all signs your site isn’t properly responsive. Google now looks at the mobile version of your website first when deciding how to rank it.
It’s slow. Slow pages frustrate visitors and can hold back your search rankings.
It doesn’t reflect your business. You’ve added services, changed direction or refreshed your branding, and your website hasn’t kept up.
Visitors don’t take action. People visit, but few call, book, buy or send an enquiry.
It’s hard to update. If changing a phone number or adding a page means a struggle, or a call to someone who’s hard to reach, your website is holding you back.
The buttons and navigation feel old-fashioned. The way people interact with websites changes over time, and older button styles and menus can feel clunky and confusing.
Security worries. Outdated software, plugins that are no longer supported or a site that’s been hacked before are all serious warning signs.
It isn’t accessible. Poor contrast, missing image descriptions and forms that don’t work with a keyboard shut people out.
It’s not found in search. If your website rarely appears for the things your customers search for, its structure and content may need rethinking.

Redesign or refresh?

A refresh may be enough if…	A redesign is probably needed if…
The design still looks current	The design looks dated or doesn’t match your brand
It works well on phones	It’s awkward to use on phones
The content is out of date	The structure makes it hard to find things
It’s built on a platform you can easily update	The platform is outdated, insecure or hard to edit
A few pages need improving	Most pages need rethinking

How to redesign your website without losing rankings

A redesign is a great chance to improve your search visibility, but it can also damage it if the technical side is handled carelessly. The essentials are:

Keep your web addresses where you can. If a page’s address has to change, set up a permanent (301) redirect from the old address to the new one. Google’s guidance on redirects explains why this matters.
Keep the content that already works. Pages that rank well or bring enquiries should be improved, not thrown away.
Carry over the SEO basics. Page titles, meta descriptions, headings and image alt text all need to come across.
Measure before and after. Note your traffic, rankings and enquiries before launch, then keep an eye on them in Google Search Console afterwards.

How we handle a website redesign

We build every website in WordPress. When we redesign a website, we build the new one on our server while your current site stays live. As soon as the new homepage is ready, we send you a preview link and chat through your feedback. When you’re happy, we handle the technical switchover. A new website is typically ready within 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the project and how quickly we receive your information.

For example, when Avalana Design, an interiors design agency, came to us, their existing website was holding back their growth because of its outdated design, slow performance and lack of support. You can read how we approached it in our Avalana Design case study.

Website redesign FAQs

How much does a website redesign cost?

With us, a redesign is usually a new website build, so it’s priced in the same way as a new website. Our guide to how much a website costs sets out our prices.

How long does a website redesign take?

With us, typically 2 to 4 weeks once we have everything we need from you. Larger or more complex websites can take longer.

Will a redesign affect my Google rankings?

It can, in either direction. Keeping your addresses or redirecting them properly, and keeping the content that performs well, protects your existing rankings and gives you the best chance of improving them.

How often should you redesign a website?

There’s no set rule. Review your website at least once a year, and redesign when it stops doing its job. Regular updates in between can extend its life considerably.

Thinking about a redesign?

If you’d like an honest view on whether your website needs a redesign or just a refresh, give John and Brian a call on 01772 822626 or get in touch online. You’re welcome to pop into our Preston office for a coffee too.

Website redesign: how to know when it’s time