How Often Should You Redesign Your Website?

Your website is often the first impression your business makes online, so keeping it fresh and functional is essential! But how often should you give your website a redesign? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, a good rule of thumb is every 2-3 years.

Why? The internet evolves fast. Design trends, user behaviors, and technology shift constantly, and your business will need to keep up. A website that felt cutting-edge three years ago might now feel dated, or worse, fail to meet the expectations of today’s users. This means you could be leaving conversions on the table while they continue their search in your industry.

What’s Evolving Online

Let’s first explore what’s changing in the digital world and why your site might need a refresh sooner than you think:

1. Mobile Support: More than half of web traffic comes from mobile devices, and that number keeps climbing. If your website isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on a huge audience. Mobile-friendly design isn’t just about resizing—it’s about ensuring fast load times, intuitive navigation, and seamless functionality.
   

2. User Expectations: Visitors expect fast, clean, and easy-to-navigate websites. Outdated designs with clunky layouts or slow speeds can frustrate users and drive them away!  
   

3. Search Engine Requirements: Platforms like Google regularly update their algorithms. A redesign might be necessary to improve your SEO and maintain good search rankings, especially as factors like mobile usability and page speed grow more important.
   

4. Brand Evolution: Your business isn’t static, so your website shouldn’t be either. If your brand has grown or shifted focus on what you offer, your site should reflect those changes.

A redesign will look better, but it’s all about functionality, user experience, and ensuring your site stays relevant in the competitive list of Google search results.

Building a Future-Resistant Website

When planning your website redesign, consider creating a site that stands the test of time. Of course, we can’t predict the future, but the goal is to build a site that’s adaptable and easy to update without needing a full overhaul every time something changes.

The Problem with WordPress Plugins

Did you know that over 40% of the internet runs on WordPress? While it’s a popular choice, WordPress often relies on plugins to add functionality, making it vulnerable to support issues. Plugins can become outdated, and when they stop working, it can bring sections of your site to a halt!  

This plugin dependency can lead to frustration if your site suddenly breaks or if an update is delayed. A small issue can spiral into a big headache, requiring more time and money to fix than anticipated.  

If you have a WP site, you must keep it maintained consistent – ideally monthly as things are ever changing and security is always of upmost importance on that particular platform. We know some wonderful developers who can make sure everything stays functioning as it should. Reach out to us if you’d like a reliable connection.  

Why Platforms Like Webflow Are Changing the Game

New platforms like Webflow offer a different approach. Instead of relying on plugins, Webflow uses a visual code builder, meaning your site is built in what’s called raw code. This eliminates the risk of outdated plugins and makes your site easier to update in the long run. Even if a platform like this were to close, the raw code structure ensures your site remains functional and transferable.

As we move into a future shaped by AI and advancing web tools, we have more options to create pages that are both highly customizable and easily updated. While tools like these make editing simpler, they still require professional expertise to get the most out of them.

When choosing a company to build your site, make sure they understand platforms like Webflow and can design a site that saves you headaches down the road. If you’re ready to create a ‘future-resistant’ website, book your consultation today and let us help you get started.

Thoughts on Other ‘Drag and Drop’ Website Builders

We create sites on all platforms – including some ‘plug and play’ options like Squarespace. While our own first website was built on Wix, it’s not a platform that we recommend as much as it is still limited compared to others from an SEO perspective. We also have helped growing brands move off of platforms like GoDaddy into even builders like Shopify, if the main focus is e-commerce.

When redesigning a site, we want our clients to feel comfortable but also have the best features on the market now. If you are wondering what’s the best website platform for your redesign, we’re here to help!

Is It Time to Refresh Your Website?

Not sure if you need a redesign? A great starting point is to show your site to friends and family and get their honest feedback.  

And if you want some professional insights for your online opportunities, you can get a free website audit with Charisma to identify what’s working and what might need an update!