How to redesign a website successfully: a step-by-step guide

The times when you could neglect the design of your website are long gone. 

You can focus as much as you want on the service or product itself, but their presentation, aka user interface, and how they get it, aka user experience, are equally important. You may have found yourself wondering if your website needs a visual makeover – chances are, your instincts are correct, as UX/UI is something that requires regular review.

“It's a common practice that a website ought to undergo a redesign every 2-5 years to stay aligned with current design trends, evolving user behaviors, and updates to search engine algorithms.”

Maria Kravchinskaja, Chief Design Officer & Partner at SolveIt

There can be many reasons why redesign a website; however, they all come down to the user – in other words, their discomfort.

This is what you pay for with low traffic, a lack of conversions, and your customers leaving for competitors. In this article, we'll discuss with SolveIt's design department executive how to redesign a website, covering timelines, budgets, and the necessary nuances to maximize benefits.

Why redesign a website? [key reasons]

But first things first. Let's explore reasons to redesign a website: subjective opinions, even from stakeholders, are not sufficient to initiate (let alone justify commercially) the project's start. The user is in charge here, and their needs should be at the center of the entire cause.

Here it's crucial to focus on measurable factors that clearly demonstrate: it's time for you to make some UI/UX changes. There are the five most common of them:

•  Low conversion rates

This is the first and most urgent reason in our practice for why redesign a website. If it doesn’t convert visitors into customers, it's a sign that the users may just feel too irritated or confused to make a target action. Your goal here should be to prioritize smoothly guiding users to it. Optimized UI (CTAs and buttons, forms, and other design elements like fonts or colors) paired with intuitive UX can dramatically drive engagement.

• User сonfusion

A cluttered or outdated design can leave users scratching their heads and you – to think about how to redesign a website. If visitors struggle to find information or navigate your site, they’ll likely bounce before you can even make your pitch. A redesign can simplify the user path, ensuring that your audience understands your offerings without frustration.

• Lack of mobile optimization

With the majority of web traffic coming from mobile devices, a non-responsive site is a recipe for disaster. If your web app or a website doesn’t look good or function well on smartphones and tablets, you’re losing out on a valuable audience. A website redesign focused on mobile optimization ensures it is accessible and appealing across all devices.

• Technical errors

Nothing screams unprofessional like a website riddled with technical glitches. Broken links, slow loading times, and error messages can turn potential customers away faster than you can say “404 error.” A website redesign can address these technical shortcomings, providing a smooth and seamless experience for your users.

• Outdated aesthetic

UI/UX trends evolve, and what looked cutting-edge a few years ago might now feel stale. An outdated website can undermine your brand’s credibility. A fresh design not only enhances your visual appeal but also signals to your audience that you’re on top of your game: just make sure that the assessment of "relevance" is unbiased.

Goals for website redesign involve either fixing, updating, or improving these aspects so that your site aligns with your business priorities and effectively serves your audience. Let's take a look at how this process typically unfolds at SolveIt.

Website redesign process: 7 steps for success

Embarking on a website redesign can feel daunting, but with the right roadmap, you can navigate the process like a pro. Here’s a seven-step guide that will lead you to a successful website redesign that not only looks great but also drives results.

Step 1. Define your goals

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, clarify your objectives. As we mentioned above, before asking the question of how to redesign a website, it's essential to understand why. The prefix "re" in the word signifies that the previous attempt is outdated or not functioning well. 

Maria's tip: Use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set your goals for clarity and focus.

Step 2. Make UX research 

It’s time to do some digging in references. Analyzing the current website’s performance reveals what’s working and what’s not. Gathering data on user behavior, using heatmaps, and examining competitors will provide valuable insights along with identifying pain points.

Maria's tip: To ensure that the gathered data is not taken out of the whole project's context, I recommend approaching a discovery phase.

Step 3. Create user flow

Develop user personas that represent your target customers, their needs, behaviors, and journey maps to lay the foundation for an impeccable UX. To redesign a website effectively, you have to address users' concerns and make their interaction experience simpler. 

Maria's tip: Conduct surveys or interviews with existing customers to gather authentic feedback that shape your ideal customer portrait (ICP).

Step 4. Plan your content strategy

Content is king, and a website redesign process is the perfect opportunity to revamp your content structure and hierarchy. Assess what needs to be updated, removed, or what new elements should be added. Make sure your messaging aligns with SEO requirements.

Maria's tip: Don’t overlook the value of consulting with marketers and enlisting the help of professional copywriters.

Step 5. Design and build a prototype

After you have defined the UX, you need to overlay the UI onto it. Before the actual development, we typically suggest creating a clickable prototype of your website to resolve any disagreements, to “touch” the animations, and to make any adjustments before the final build.

Maria's tip: Ensure a consistent experience across all devices by designing adaptive versions for at least mobile (or mobile and tablet, more often).

Step 6. Get prepared for layout

After designing in Figma, the website is passed to developers. To ensure clarity, the design must be prepared for layout. This includes creating a UI kit (design system), organizing elements, assigning file names, and streamlining guidelines for better navigation.

Maria's tip: If you want to avoid migrating to a different technology instead of just to redesign a website, choose your technology stack selection wisely.

Step 7. Test usability

When considering how to hire a UX designer, implement changes, and launch the website, remember that conducting quality assurance before the release is crucial. This ensures that there are no bugs and that the results meet the initial goals and requirements.

Maria's tip: Set up regular check-ins with your design partner or managing team to review performance metrics and optimize the website if needed.

How much does it cost to redesign a website?

Before embarking on any technological journey, it’s essential to discuss the price tag, and website redesign costs are not an exception.

“Many assume that the primary expenses come from design and development, but the reality is often more nuanced.

When asking how much does it cost to redesign a website, it's important to keep in mind things like user research, content strategy, and SEO optimization. These elements can significantly inflate the budget if not planned from the start.”

Maria Kravchinskaja, Chief Design Officer & Partner at SolveIt

So, let's consider two common cases depending on the type of project – these factors will impact the final bill differently.

Landing page or simple website redesign costs

When it comes to redesigning a simple website or landing page, costs typically range from $5,000 to $10,000. This price includes basic design upgrades and content updates.

Key factors influencing costs:

• Complexity of the design: A straightforward landing page with minimal features will generally be less expensive. However, adding custom graphics or animations can increase the cost, so even one page can cost a surprise.
  

• Content creation needs: If the website redesign involves substantial content updates or new copy, hiring professional writers can add to the overall expenses, especially if it's static and has to be coded, which means you have to double-check texts, images, etc. 

• Basic functionality: Including additional functionalities, such as contact forms or newsletter sign-ups, may increase costs, depending on the level of integration required. Don’t forget you have to allocate the budget for the external services and tools either.
  

• SEO considerations: Basic SEO optimization is the best practice during the redesign, but it can add to the expense. Anyway, it's vital for enhancing the visibility of the website for future growth.

Advanced website or web app redesign costs

As you are planning how to redesign a website or web app that is more complex, keep in mind that the costs range from $10,000 to $40,000 or more, depending on the level of customization needed.

Key factors influencing costs:

• Feature complexity: A robust web app with multiple pages and intricate design features will demand a larger investment. Each new design element requires further resources to ensure a cohesive user experience – in adaptive versions too.
  

• Custom design needs: Unique visual elements, interactive components, and tailored user interfaces can lead to higher costs associated with the redesign, development, and testing.
  

• Functionality requirements: Incorporating sophisticated design elements, such as user account interfaces or e-commerce layouts, raises costs due to the enhanced UX/UI design services that are required.

• SEO and marketing integration: Ensuring the app is optimized for search engines (thought-out structures, proper meta tags and headings, etc.) requires extra expertise and effort during the design phase, which will be reflected in the budget.

How long does it take to redesign a website

Redesigning a website isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario. The timeline can vary dramatically based on the complexity (animations, number of pages, initial structure, etc.) and type of site you're dealing with.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for setting realistic expectations and estimating the project effectively. Let's break it down again into two categories and find out how long does it take to redesign a website.

Landing page or simple website redesign timelines

For straightforward sites or landing pages, the website redesign process is typically a breeze. We're talking about timelines that can stretch from 2 weeks to 1-1.5 months.

The main reason is reduced complexity – simple sites typically consist of fewer pages and functionalities. However, in some projects, timelines can extend due to the inclusion of custom animations, interactive features, or third-party integrations. Desire to incorporate personalized branding elements can also contribute to longer timelines.

Advanced web app or website redesign timelines

When it comes to complex websites or full-fledged web applications, you’re in for a longer haul. Expect a timeline that can range from 2 to 4 months.

Complex sites often come packed with features – think user accounts, interactive elements, and integrations with other systems. Each of these requires careful planning and execution. With various stakeholders involved – designers, developers, and marketing teams – the communication and feedback loop can stretch timelines. 

Website redesign case study [SolveIt experience]

SolveIt was approached by a US-based digital transformation consultancy focused on providing secure and efficient solutions for businesses.

• They were dedicated to client-focused services and, with years of experience in digital consulting, saw the need to refresh their online presence. Their existing website featured an outdated design that failed to meet their functional requirements, prompting a desire for a modern landing page complemented by a blog section.

• Our team undertook a comprehensive redesign, transforming the UI and UX to create a visually appealing and user-friendly site. We developed the design from scratch, incorporating client's specific requests and enhancing the site with animations and new content blocks, such as testimonials. 

• The project also included the creation of the UI kit, including a new logo, and the implementation of the design using React and Next.js. We set up a content management system (CMS) tailored to their needs, seamlessly integrating the blog section for easy post publication and previews.

We also configured a contact form with email notifications to streamline conversions. While our primary focus was on the redesign, SolveIt also supported SEO efforts to ensure the new site would effectively reach its target audience. The customer was absolutely happy with the end result, which featured design improvements and enhanced functionality that aligned with their objectives.

“This website redesign case study highlights the incredible benefits of a thoughtful online transformation in terms of UI/UX. We believe that every brand deserves a representation that captivates and converts."

Maria Kravchinskaja, Chief Design Officer & Partner at SolveIt

Final word 

Embarking on a website redesign is not just about aesthetics – it's about solving business problems and enhancing user experience. If your current site feels outdated or fails to engage your audience, it’s time for a change. 

And bringing on a professional partner to execute website redesign successfully, who has a lot of experience and understands the details of further development and testing, will make sure your project meets your expectations and lasts for a long time.

Reach out to us to estimate how much does a website redesign cost, forecast the timelines and set up a detailed plan! 

FAQ

1 | What is a website redesign? 

A website redesign refers to comprehensive updates made to both the visible and underlying elements of a website. This includes enhancements to the code, structure, visuals, navigation, and content, all aimed at improving user experience, engagement, and conversion rates.

2 | Why should I consider a website redesign?

Redesigning a website can address low conversion rates, improve user experience, optimize for mobile devices, fix technical errors, and refresh an outdated aesthetic. It’s common practice to consider a redesign every 2-5 years to stay aligned with design trends, user behaviors, and search engine algorithms.

3 | How much does it cost to redesign a website?

The cost of redesigning a website typically ranges from $5,000 to $10,000 for simple sites and $10,000 to $40,000 or more for complex web applications. Factors influencing these costs include design complexity, content needs, additional functionalities, and SEO optimization. 

4 | How long does it take to redesign a website?

The timeline for redesigning a website varies by complexity. For landing pages or simple websites, it typically takes from 2 weeks to 1.5 months. For advanced websites or web applications, expect a timeline of 2 to 4 months. Factors such as the number of pages, design complexity, custom features, content updates, and stakeholder involvement can influence these timelines.

5 | What are the main steps in the website redesign process?

The process generally involves defining goals, conducting UX research, creating user flows, planning content strategy, designing and building prototype, preparing for layout, and testing usability.