This is a question that many business owners ask themselves. On the one hand, the website already has a domain name, content, pages and a certain history. On the other hand, it may look outdated, be difficult to use on smartphones, load slowly or simply stop generating enough enquiries.
In this situation, there are two main options: to update the existing website or to develop a completely new one.
At first glance, a redesign seems like the simpler and cheaper option. But this is not always the case. If a website is built on outdated technology, has a problematic structure or has accumulated too many technical errors, attempting to ‘refresh’ it can turn into a never-ending process of fixing old problems.
In this article, we’ll look at when a redesign really makes sense, what signs indicate the need to update a website, and when it’s better not to spend money on the old framework but to build a new website instead.
What is a website redesign?
A redesign is not just a matter of changing colours, fonts and photographs.
In the simplest case, a redesign may involve updating the visual style and individual interface elements.
But for a business website, this is often not enough.
A comprehensive redesign may involve reviewing the page structure, navigation, user flows, the mobile version, enquiry forms, content blocks and other elements that influence how users interact with the website.
That is precisely why a good redesign is not simply a matter of ‘making the website look more modern’.
His aim is to make the website more user-friendly and more effective for the business.
When is it really worth updating an old website?
Not every old website needs to be scrapped and rebuilt from scratch.
If the technical infrastructure remains up to date, the website is indexed properly, works on modern devices and allows you to make the necessary changes, a redesign may well be a sensible solution.
The website is outdated
One of the most obvious reasons for a redesign is that the website simply looks as though it was created many years ago.
An outdated design is not, in itself, a technical problem. However, it can affect how the company is perceived.
Users form an impression of a business in a matter of seconds. If a website looks unprofessional, is difficult to use or clearly fails to meet modern standards, some potential customers may simply close the page.
This is particularly important for companies that sell services with a high average spend. In such cases, the website effectively becomes part of the business’s reputation.
The website doesn’t work very well on smartphones
Nowadays, it’s not enough simply to check whether a website loads on a mobile phone.
It is important how easily a user can read text, browse services, click buttons, fill in forms and carry out other actions.
If the mobile version was created many years ago and is effectively a scaled-down copy of the desktop version, a redesign could be a good opportunity to revamp the user experience.
The website’s structure no longer suits the business
Business is changing.
New services, new areas of focus, a different target audience or new ways of attracting customers may emerge.
As a result, a website structure that made sense five years ago may no longer meet the company’s actual needs today.
For example, the company used to offer three services, but now it has ten areas of operation. If they try to fit all of this into the old structure, navigation gradually becomes more complicated, and it becomes harder for users to find the information they need.
In such a situation, a redesign should be considered alongside a review of the structure.
When is the problem not just about the design?
This is one of the most important points.
Sometimes a website owner sees an outdated design and decides to give the site a revamp, even though the main problem lies elsewhere entirely.
A website may look good, but it may also have an awkward structure, poor SEO architecture, problems with forms, slow performance or a complicated content management system.
It is therefore advisable to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the site before work begins.
The website isn’t generating enough enquiries
If visitors come to the website but hardly ever contact the company, the problem may not just be down to the design.
A user may not understand what the company does, may not see the benefits of the offer, may be unable to find the information they need, or may simply not know what to do next.
In this case, the redesign should begin not with a layout for the home page, but with an analysis of user behaviour and business objectives.
Sometimes it is enough to change the structure of individual pages, strengthen the value proposition and revamp the conversion points. But sometimes these issues are so systemic that they cannot be resolved simply by updating individual sections.
When is the best time to create a new website?
There are situations where redesigning an old website is no longer cost-effective.
Outdated technological infrastructure
If a website is built on a CMS that is no longer supported, uses outdated libraries or has a problematic architecture, a visual revamp will not solve the underlying problem.
In such a case, you may end up spending a considerable amount on a new design, only to be hampered by the limitations of the old system during development.
If the technical infrastructure does not allow the website to be developed properly, it is better to consider developing a completely new project.
It is not possible to adapt the website properly
Sometimes an old website simply isn’t designed for modern responsive layout.
You can try to fix individual pages, but in the end you actually have to rebuild the entire front-end.
At some point, a logical question arises: if most of the website needs to be redesigned anyway, why keep the old framework?
The code and structure have accumulated too many issues
Websites that have been developed over many years without a systematic approach often accumulate technical debt.
New plugins are installed on top of old ones, certain functions duplicate one another, the code contains workarounds, and different parts of the website operate according to different principles.
Such a website may continue to function, but each subsequent change becomes more complicated.
At a certain point, it is cheaper and more reliable to build a clean foundation from scratch than to keep constantly fixing up the old one.
Should we keep old content?
You don’t necessarily have to transfer absolutely everything to the new website.
A redesign or a complete overhaul is a good opportunity to review your content.
The old website may contain pages that no longer reflect the business, duplicate content, outdated text or material that never attracts organic traffic.
But you need to be careful here.
If a page generates search traffic, has external links or ranks well on Google, it cannot simply be deleted without first analysing it.
When migrating a website, it is important to preserve valuable SEO assets and set up redirects correctly for URLs that are changing.
That is precisely why a good redesign must take into account not only design and programming, but also SEO.
Does a redesign affect SEO?
Yes, and that’s one of the reasons why a redesign shouldn’t be reduced to just visual changes.
If, following an update, the website’s structure, page URLs, headings, internal linking or content change, this may affect organic traffic.
A poorly executed redesign can even lead to a loss of some search traffic.
Therefore, before making changes to the website, it is worth recording its current state and identifying which pages and SEO elements need to be retained.
Particular care must be taken when working with large websites, online shops and projects that have been building up organic traffic over many years.
Is it possible to carry out a redesign without changing the CMS?
Yes.
If the current CMS meets the business’s requirements and does not impose any technical limitations, there is no need to change it simply for the sake of a new design.
For example, a WordPress website can be completely revamped whilst retaining the CMS itself, the content and some of the functionality.
This may be the best option if the main issues relate specifically to design, structure or user experience.
However, if the CMS no longer meets the business’s needs, replacing it could form part of a new project.
Which is cheaper: a redesign or a new website?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question either.
At first glance, a redesign should cost less, as part of the website already exists.
But it all depends on the status of the old project.
If you only need to update the design, ensure the site is responsive and revamp a few key pages, a redesign can indeed be considerably cheaper.
However, if you have to change the CMS, structure, code, templates, functionality, integrations and SEO architecture all at once, the difference in budget may be minimal.
Sometimes, trying to keep an old website can actually increase costs, as the developer has to work within constraints imposed by others and rectify problems that have built up over time.
How can you work out what your website specifically needs?
It is best to start not with the question ‘redesign or a new website?’, but with an audit of the current project.
We need to assess its technical condition, structure, mobile version, speed, SEO, ease of administration and alignment with current business objectives.
After that, it usually becomes much clearer which option makes sense.
If the core functionality works well but the website looks outdated and needs improvements to the user experience, you can plan a redesign.
If, however, the problems are systemic and affect the very architecture of the project, it would be wiser to start developing a new website.
The worst option is simply to ‘make it look nice’
One of the most common mistakes made during a redesign is to start with the visual design without first understanding the business objectives.
As a result, the old website gets new colours, modern fonts and attractive photographs, but it still has the same problem: users don’t know what to do, the structure remains awkward, and the number of enquiries isn’t increasing.
A redesign is worthwhile when it improves not only the website’s appearance, but also its usability, clarity and effectiveness.
That is precisely why, before creating a new design, it is worth understanding what is working well on the current website and what needs to be changed.
Conclusion
A redesign isn’t always an alternative to a new website. In some cases, it’s the best way to update an existing project without a complete overhaul.
If the technical infrastructure remains up to date, the website is functioning properly, and the main issues relate to the design, structure or user experience, a redesign may be the best solution.
However, if a website is built using outdated technology, has serious technical issues or no longer meets the business’s needs, it is better not to keep trying to patch up the old platform indefinitely. In such cases, a new website may prove to be both the more appropriate and the more cost-effective solution.
At ABDev, we can assess your current website and determine which approach would be most appropriate for your specific situation — a redesign, technical improvements or the development of a completely new website.
Not sure whether it’s worth revamping your old website? Tell us what you’re not happy with in your current project — we’ll help you find the best solution without unnecessary costs.
