Cost guide
How much does a website redesign cost?
Last reviewed , published by Gjethe
The short answer
A website redesign's cost depends on how much changes, a visual refresh or a full rebuild, the number of templates, how much content is rewritten or migrated, whether you change platform, the integrations to rebuild, and the SEO work needed to protect existing traffic. Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote.
A redesign is different from a new website because you have something to lose: rankings, links, content and habits your customers rely on. That means part of the budget goes into understanding and protecting what works. This guide explains the types of redesign, what drives cost and how to avoid the common traffic drop after launch. The sections below explain each cost factor and how the state of your current site affects it.
Types of redesign
| Type | What changes | Relative effort |
|---|---|---|
| Visual refresh | Design, colours, typography on the same platform | Lower |
| Restructure | Navigation, page structure and content | Medium |
| Rebuild | New platform and code, content migrated | Higher |
| Rebrand and rebuild | New identity, structure, content and platform | Highest |
Which factors change the price most?
Templates
The number of distinct page types to design and build.
Content
Rewriting, consolidating or migrating many pages adds work.
Platform change
Moving from WordPress, Wix or a custom system to a new platform.
SEO protection
Redirect mapping, metadata transfer and post-launch monitoring.
Integrations
Forms, CRMs, booking and e-commerce to reconnect.
Languages
Every language version multiplies content and checks.
Protecting your search traffic
Many redesigns lose traffic because old URLs disappear without redirects, valuable content is cut, or metadata and internal links are lost. Before redesigning, we record which pages bring traffic and links, map every old URL to its new equivalent and carry over what works.
After launch, we monitor Search Console for errors and ranking changes and fix issues quickly. This work is a small share of the budget compared with the cost of losing organic traffic.
Refresh or rebuild?
If your platform is sound and editing is easy, a visual refresh and restructure may be enough. If the site is slow, hard to edit, insecure or built on an outdated platform, rebuilding usually saves money over time.
A short audit of performance, content and technology clarifies which path makes sense before you commit.
Costs that are easy to forget
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Copywriting | If content needs rewriting |
| Photography | New photos to match a new design |
| Licences | New themes, plugins, fonts or tools |
| Training | Teaching your team the new CMS |
| Post-launch fixes | Monitoring and small adjustments |
Before you request quotes
- List what works on the current site and what doesn't
- Export analytics on top pages and conversions
- Decide whether the platform must change
- Identify content to keep, rewrite or remove
- Note integrations that must keep working
- Set goals the redesign should achieve
Example: a staged redesign
A professional services firm has a dated website with fifty pages, many of them thin. Instead of rebuilding everything at once, the first stage redesigns the homepage, service pages and contact flow, the pages that bring most enquiries, and consolidates thin pages into stronger ones.
A second stage redesigns the insights section and adds new content. Staging spreads cost and lets the firm see results from the first stage before committing to the next.
Questions that shape a redesign quote
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How many page templates exist today? | Templates drive design and build effort |
| Which pages bring traffic and leads? | These need the most care during migration |
| Is the platform changing? | Migration adds technical work |
| Who is rewriting content? | Copywriting is often the largest hidden task |
| Which integrations must keep working? | Forms, CRMs and bookings need testing |
Measuring a redesign's success
Before launch, record baseline numbers: traffic, conversion rate, enquiries, page speed and key rankings. After launch, compare over the following months.
A successful redesign improves at least one business metric, not just appearance.
Content: keep, improve or remove
Before a redesign, review every page: keep pages that perform and are accurate, improve pages with potential, merge overlapping pages and remove outdated ones with redirects. This content audit often reveals that a site can be smaller and stronger.
A smaller, better site is usually cheaper to redesign and easier to maintain.
Design system as part of the redesign
Building a simple design system (reusable components, colours, typography and spacing) during a redesign makes future pages faster and more consistent to create.
It adds a little upfront work and saves time on every change afterwards.
Accessibility in a redesign
A redesign is the best moment to fix accessibility: contrast, keyboard navigation, headings, form labels and alt text. Building to WCAG 2.2 AA from the start costs far less than retrofitting.
It also helps more customers use the site and supports legal requirements in many markets.
Frequently asked questions
Will a redesign hurt our SEO?
It can if redirects and content aren't handled carefully. With proper planning and monitoring, most sites keep or improve their rankings.
Can we keep our content?
Yes. We migrate content you want to keep and help improve or consolidate the rest.
Should we change platform?
Only if the current one limits you. We'll explain the trade-offs after reviewing your site.
Is a redesign cheaper than a new site?
A refresh usually is. A full rebuild costs similar to a new site, plus migration and SEO protection work.
How often should a website be redesigned?
There's no fixed rule. Redesign when the site no longer supports your goals, rather than on a schedule; continuous improvements can delay the need.
Can we redesign in stages?
Yes. Starting with the highest-impact pages spreads cost and reduces risk.
Do you handle redirects?
Yes. Redirect mapping and post-launch monitoring are part of our redesign process.
Can I get a fixed price?
Yes, after reviewing your current site and agreeing scope.
Should we redesign and rebrand at the same time?
It can be efficient if both are needed, but it increases scope and risk. Many companies finish the brand first, then redesign the website around it.
How do we keep the old site running during the redesign?
The new site is built on a separate staging environment and launched only when ready, so the old site stays live until then.
Can we redesign without changing the URLs?
Often, yes. Keeping URLs where possible reduces SEO risk, and redirects handle any that must change.
How do we involve our team in the redesign?
Usually through a kick-off workshop, design reviews and testing before launch, with one person coordinating feedback.
Will we need new hosting?
Only if the platform changes or current hosting is slow or unreliable.
Can we keep our current CMS?
Yes, if it suits your needs. A redesign can keep the CMS and change templates, structure and content.
Related services
Website Redesign
Rebuild an outdated site without losing traffic.
Website Migration
Platform and host moves that keep your rankings.
SEO Audit
A prioritised list of what's holding your rankings back.
Website Development
Custom business websites on Next.js, React or WordPress.
Content Writing
Website copy, articles and descriptions written by people.
UI/UX Design
Research, wireframes, prototypes and interfaces.
Keep reading
Talk it through with us.
Tell us what you need. You get an honest assessment, a clear plan and a written quote. The first consultation is always free.
- What happens next
- 1You tell us what you need
- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project