When to Redesign Your Website—and When to Start Over Completely
Your website might be telling you it needs attention. Maybe it’s loading a bit slower than it used to, or your new services don’t quite fit the current layout. But does this mean you need a complete rebuild, or would a strategic makeover do the trick?
As a web designer, I’ve helped clients with both website makeovers and full rebuilds—and right now, I’m actually going through a complete rebuild of my own website.
Sometimes a strategic makeover is all you need to get your website working better for your business. Other times, like when switching from another platform to WordPress, starting fresh makes more sense than trying to copy everything over.
In this post, I’ll help you understand the difference between a website makeover and a complete rebuild, so you can make the right choice for your business.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full affiliate disclosure for further information.
TL;DR Summary
Website Redesign
- A website makeover improves your current site without changing its core structure. Ideal if your content is solid and platform is working
- A website rebuild means starting from scratch—best when your platform is limiting you, or your site structure no longer supports your goals
- Choose a makeover if your site just needs updated visuals, messaging, mobile optimization, or added features
- Choose a rebuild if you’re switching platforms, struggling with tech issues, or evolving your business model significantly
Understanding Website Updates
What’s a Website Makeover?
A website makeover focuses on enhancing your existing site through strategic updates. We keep what’s working well and improve specific areas that need attention to better serve your business goals.
During a website makeover, we might:
- Update your visual design elements
- Reorganize your content for better flow
- Add new features and functionality
- Improve your site speed
- Enhance the mobile experience
- Fix technical issues holding your site back
When to Choose a Full Website Rebuild Instead
I made the decision to completely rebuild my own site because it was my first WordPress website and I’ve learned so much since then about creating effective, strategic websites. A rebuild made sense because I wanted to restructure everything from the ground up. (I’m still in the process of rebranding and rebuilding, so I can come back to update this blog post in the future!)
You might need a rebuild if:
- You’re switching to a different website platform
- Your site structure no longer supports your business model
- The technical foundation is causing ongoing issues
- Your current platform limits what you can achieve
- You need advanced features your current setup can’t support
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
The decision between a makeover and rebuild often comes down to your current website’s foundation. Many of my clients benefit from strategic makeovers that transform their existing sites into more powerful business tools. We can usually complete these updates in a short timeframe, giving you quick results without disrupting your entire online presence.
However, if you’re feeling constantly limited by your current platform or spending too much time wrestling with technical issues, a rebuild might be the better investment. I’ve guided many clients through platform transitions, particularly from Wix or Squarespace to WordPress or Showit. In these cases, we use the move as an opportunity to strategically rebuild their site architecture and content strategy from scratch.
Signs You Need a Website Makeover
Your Design Feels Slightly Dated
Small design updates can make a big impact on your website’s effectiveness. You might notice your competitors’ sites looking more modern, or maybe your brand colors and fonts just don’t reflect your business anymore. A website makeover can refresh these visual elements without changing your entire site structure.
Your Content Needs a Refresh
Often your core content is solid, but it needs better organization or presentation. Maybe you’ve added new services, gained impressive client results, or refined your messaging. During a website makeover, we can update your content layout and hierarchy to better showcase what makes your business unique today.
Your Site is Missing Key Features
Sometimes you just need to add new functionality to your existing site. This might include:
- Email list signup forms
- Online scheduling tools
- Social proof elements
- Customer testimonials
- Blog post categories
- Portfolio sections
Your Users’ Experience Could Be Better
Small tweaks to your site’s navigation and content flow can significantly improve how visitors interact with your website. Common user experience updates include:
- Streamlining your main navigation menu
- Adding clear calls-to-action
- Improving your mobile menu layout
- Making contact information more accessible
- Creating better pathways to key information
Your Pages Need Strategic Updates
Individual pages might need attention to better serve your business goals. Your homepage might need restructuring to better capture leads, or your services page might need updating to reflect your current offerings. A website makeover can target specific high-impact pages without rebuilding your entire site.
What to Expect from a Website Makeover
Design Updates and Refinements
A website makeover starts with your visual elements—colors, fonts, images, and overall styling. This could mean adding fresh graphics to your pages, updating button styles, or improving the spacing between elements to create a cleaner look. We’ll make sure your brand identity stays consistent while giving your site a more professional, polished appearance.
Content Organization Improvements
Great content deserves great presentation. During your website makeover, we’ll look at how your content flows and make adjustments to help visitors find exactly what they need. This includes:
- Restructuring page layouts for better readability
- Creating clear sections that guide visitors
- Highlighting your most important information
- Adding compelling calls-to-action
- Making sure your services are easy to understand
Performance Optimization
Speed matters for both your visitors and search engines. Your website makeover includes technical improvements like:
- Optimizing image sizes
- Removing unnecessary plugins (or replacing them with more up-to-date, performance-focused plugins)
- Setting up caching
- Fixing broken links
- Checking mobile responsiveness
Strategic Page Enhancements
Each page on your site serves a specific purpose. We’ll focus on enhancing your most important pages to better support your business goals. For example:
- Homepage updates to capture attention quickly
- Services page refinements to showcase your offerings
- About page improvements to build connection
- Contact page optimization to encourage inquiries
Looking for help with copy for your website makeover?
Megan Elliott of The Copy Template Shop has very thorough copy templates for key pages of your website, including different types of service pages, which can have a big impact on the effectiveness of your site.
Making Your Website Makeover a Success
Preparing for Your Makeover
The most successful website makeovers start with good preparation. Before your makeover day, gather:
- Your updated brand assets (logos, colors, fonts)
- New photos or videos you want to include
- Any testimonials or reviews to feature
- Current service descriptions and pricing
- Examples of websites that inspire you
Setting Clear Goals
Know what success looks like for your website makeover. Do you want to:
- Book more discovery calls?
- Grow your email list?
- Sell more digital products?
- Better showcase your portfolio?
- Make your services easier to understand?
Identifying your goals helps us focus on the updates that will make the biggest impact for your business.
I knew Liz was going to be the person I hired, based on her wonderful 30-Day WordPress Challenge email series, which I’d gone through in April – and which was what alerted me to the fact that my websites needed serious help! From the moment I handed the well-being of my sites over to her, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. Throughout the process I’ve felt 100% confident that she knows exactly what tasks to prioritize for site security, SEO, DMARC, SPF, DKIM, keyword research, site styling, and so many more items that make me want to tear my hair out. And she has saved not only my hair but my time, because she goes 20x faster than I ever could.
From our initial conversation on Zoom and throughout our email correspondence about the work she was doing, Liz was super-clear on exactly what the objectives were, and listed them in a shared document that we could refer to. She also made several videos for me, teaching me how to do some of the work myself in the future. I’ll be continuing to use her services every month, and I feel so happy that I’ve found someone who can do this for me in such a wonderful way. Liz is a true gem!”
Working With a Web Designer
A website makeover can transform your site in as little as one focused day. Working together, we’ll assess your website’s current state and implement strategic improvements. We’ll tackle your most pressing website needs and focus on changes that will have the biggest impact on your results.
Want to make some quick improvements on your own while you consider a website makeover? Check out “15-Minute Website Improvements That Make a Big Impact” from Becca at Inside the Square. Her podcast episode shares brilliant quick fixes, including:
- A surprising insight about your footer (and why it might be your secret conversion weapon)
- The “Black and White Test” that instantly reveals your website’s weak spots
- A clever way to use AI as your first content reader
- The navigation trick that keeps visitors from clicking away
Want to learn more about creating an effective website that works for your business? Download my free “6 Steps to Website Success” guide. You’ll discover the key elements that make a website truly support your business goals!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a website makeover and a rebuild?
A website makeover refreshes your existing site—updating design, structure, and features. A rebuild starts from scratch, often with a new platform, site structure, or brand direction.
How do I know if I need a complete website rebuild?
If your website feels hard to manage, lacks essential functionality, or doesn’t support your business model anymore, a rebuild is likely the better option.
Can I improve my website without starting over?
Absolutely! A strategic makeover can dramatically improve user experience, SEO, and conversions—especially if your foundation is still solid.
What’s the fastest way to improve my website?
Start with your homepage, navigation, and mobile experience. These are high-impact areas where small changes (like updated copy, layout, or calls-to-action) can quickly boost performance.
