When should you redesign your website?

If a few of these sound familiar, your website is probably holding you back:

• It's awkward to use on a phone, with tiny text or buttons that are hard to tap
• It's slow to load
• It no longer describes what you do, the areas you cover or how you work
• It looks dated next to your competitors
• You'd rather not send customers to it
• It isn't bringing in enquiries
• You can't get changes made, or the person who built it is no longer around
• It's missing the basics, such as a secure connection, clear contact details or a privacy policy

Not every tired website needs starting again. A refresh can be enough if the structure works and the site is technically sound: updated wording, new photos, a few extra pages and some speed improvements can make a big difference. A full redesign makes sense when the site is hard to use on mobile, is built on an outdated platform, doesn't reflect your business any more, or simply isn't working for you.

There's no fixed rule. As a rough guide, many small businesses find their website needs a significant update every three to five years. The better question is whether your website still does its job: making a good first impression, explaining what you do and turning visitors into enquiries. If it doesn't, it's time.

A redesign should build on your existing website, not throw everything away.

• Keep pages and content that already rank well on Google, and improve them
• Redirect old page addresses to the new ones so visitors and search rankings follow
• Carry over your reviews, case studies and photos of real work
• Keep your business name, address and phone number consistent

Before you speak to a web designer, jot down:

1. What you want the website to achieve, such as more enquiries, bookings or sales
2. What works on your current site and what doesn't
3. The questions customers ask you most often
4. The services, areas and prices you want to show
5. A few websites you like, and why

This makes it far easier to get an accurate quote and a website that fits.

If your website no longer reflects your business, or isn't bringing in work, it's costing you more than you think. A well-planned redesign keeps the good parts, fixes what isn't working and gives you a site you're proud to share.