When Should You Reinvent the Wheel?

Abi Hough advises caution before undertaking a complete website redesign, emphasizing that such efforts can be costly and potentially detrimental if not properly justified. She outlines common reasons businesses consider a redesign and provides insights into each

Summary

Key Insights

Low Revenue: A decline in sales may not stem from design flaws. It’s crucial to investigate other factors like product offerings, market trends, or user experience issues before attributing the problem to the website’s design.

Lack of Responsiveness: While a non-responsive site is problematic, a redesign focused solely on visuals won’t address functionality across devices. Ensuring proper implementation is key.

Buggy Performance: Redesigns don’t inherently fix bugs and may introduce new ones if not thoroughly tested. Addressing underlying technical issues is essential.

Aesthetic Concerns: Perceptions of an outdated or unattractive design should be weighed against actual performance metrics. A site that looks dated but converts well might not need a redesign.

Brand Misalignment: Before a full redesign, consider if minor adjustments can better align the site with current branding.

Maintenance Challenges: Difficulties in updating the site might justify a rebuild, especially if the current platform is outdated

Security Issues: Security vulnerabilities often require a rebuild rather than a redesign, focusing on platform and infrastructure improvements.

Poor Visibility: If the site isn’t attracting visitors, assess SEO strategies and content quality before opting for a redesign.

Slow Load Times: Performance issues might be due to hosting or unoptimized content. Address these areas before considering a redesign.