Should I redesign my website or fix the one I have?
Fix your site if it runs on a supported platform, works on phones and mostly needs speed work, updates and better content. Redesign if it's hard to use on a phone, you can't make simple changes, it no longer matches your business, or every small fix uncovers a bigger problem. Either way, keep the pages that bring leads.
How do I decide?
| Fix it | Redesign it | |
|---|---|---|
| Works well on a phone | Yes | No |
| Platform still gets updates | Yes | No, or abandoned |
| You can make simple changes yourself | Yes | No, it needs a developer every time |
| What to do | Speed work, updates, new content | A fresh build on a sound platform |
The last two questions below (does it still describe your business, and do fixes keep snowballing) tip a borderline case.
Answer these five questions honestly.
- Is it easy to use on a phone? Open your top three pages on your own phone. Can you read the text, tap the buttons and find the phone number without zooming?
- Is the platform still supported? WordPress, its theme and its plugins should all be getting updates. A theme abandoned by its maker is a warning sign.
- Can you make simple changes? Updating hours or swapping a photo shouldn’t need a developer every time.
- Does it still describe your business? New services, new areas, new people.
- Do fixes keep snowballing? If each small repair turns up a bigger problem, you’re paying to patch something that won’t last.
The short version
- Fix it if the platform is supported, it works on phones and the problems are speed, content or a few broken parts.
- Redesign it if it’s hard to use on a phone or impossible to update without help.
- An unsupported platform that no longer gets security updates is a strong reason to rebuild.
- A redesign doesn’t have to mean losing search traffic.
- Get an outside check before you decide.
Why does it matter?
Fixing a solid site is usually quicker and cheaper. Rebuilding a weak one is often cheaper over a few years than patching it over and over. The wrong call either wastes money on a rebuild you didn’t need or keeps you paying for repairs to something that keeps breaking.
What are the common mistakes?
- Redesigning for looks alone while the real problem is slow loading or a broken form. Check why your site is slow first.
- Throwing away pages that rank. Pages that bring visitors should be carried over and redirected. See whether a redesign hurts rankings.
- Switching tools without a reason. A working page builder site may only need tidying. Read page builder or block editor.
- Ignoring who edits. A beautiful site no one can update goes stale fast.
What if you fixed it and it’s still not working?
If the site loads well and works on phones but still brings few leads, the issue may be the message or the forms rather than the build. Look at what should go on your home page and why a form isn’t bringing leads before committing to a redesign.
How much does it cost, and how long does it take?
Fixes can take days; redesigns take longer and cost more, and both depend on the size of the site. Our answer on what a website costs explains what drives the price, and how long a redesign takes covers the schedule.
How does E-3 handle this?
Our free website check looks at your current site and tells you what’s worth fixing. If a rebuild makes more sense, you approve the plan and the preview before the new site goes live. For the redesign service itself, see Can you redesign my website?
Related questions
Rather talk it through?
Call our team, or send a note and we’ll reply within one business day. No pressure and no jargon.