A website redesign cost depends on how much is actually changing. A visual refresh of an existing well-structured site costs much less than a complete rebuild with new content, new hosting, and new functionality. This guide explains the three main redesign types, what drives the cost of each, and how to decide which one your business needs.
The Three Types of Website Redesign
1. Visual Refresh
A visual refresh updates how the site looks without changing its structure or content significantly. New colors, updated fonts, refreshed imagery, a modernized header and footer, and cleaned-up layouts—but the same pages, same URL structure, and largely the same copy.
Pricing: request a quote for this scope.
This makes sense when: the site structure works, the content is solid, and the main issue is that it looks dated. It is the least disruptive option for SEO because existing URLs and content remain in place.
2. Partial Rebuild
A partial rebuild restructures some pages, adds new sections or features, updates key content, and improves mobile layouts—while keeping other parts of the existing site intact. This might involve rebuilding the homepage and service pages while leaving a blog archive unchanged, or migrating from an old theme to WordPress with Elementor while preserving the URL structure.
Pricing: request a quote for this scope.
This makes sense when: the existing site has some valuable content and structure but certain sections are clearly not working—poor mobile experience, no lead forms, outdated service information, or a homepage that does not communicate the business clearly.
3. Complete Rebuild
A complete rebuild starts fresh with new design, new content strategy, new page structure, and sometimes a new platform or hosting environment. Existing content and pages may be audited—useful material is updated and carried forward, while outdated or thin content is retired or consolidated.
Pricing: request a quote for this scope.
This makes sense when: the platform is outdated (an old Wix site, a GoDaddy Website Builder, or a site on a system no one supports anymore), the URL structure is a mess, the content is completely outdated, or the business has changed significantly since the site was last built.
What Affects the Cost of Any Redesign
- How much content is being rewritten. Professional copywriting adds cost but often makes the biggest difference in results.
- Whether the URL structure is changing. Changing URLs requires 301 redirects to protect search visibility—this adds planning and implementation time.
- The current platform. Migrating from a proprietary builder (Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy) to WordPress takes more effort than redesigning an existing WordPress site.
- Page count. More pages mean more design and build time.
- New features being added. Booking systems, galleries, forms, and integrations each add scope.
- Photography and media. New photos, drone footage, or branded graphics add cost and usually improve results.
Is a Redesign Cheaper Than Building a New Site?
Sometimes. A visual refresh of a structurally sound WordPress site can cost significantly less than starting from scratch. A complete rebuild of a site that is on a difficult platform with outdated content may cost comparable to a new site—because the work involved is essentially the same.
The honest answer is: it depends on what needs to change. A good designer will audit your existing site before quoting and tell you plainly whether a refresh or a rebuild serves you better.
Protecting SEO During a Redesign
A poorly executed redesign can damage search rankings. The most common problems are deleted pages with no redirects, removed content that had search value, and broken internal links. Before any redesign:
- Document every URL that currently receives organic traffic
- Preserve valuable content wherever possible
- Set up 301 redirects for any URLs that change
- Verify redirects after launch
- Monitor Google Search Console for 404 errors in the weeks following launch
DH Digital Design follows this process on every redesign project. For more detail, see our guide: Who Can Redesign My Outdated Website Without Disrupting My Business?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a website redesign?
Redesign pricing depends on whether you need a visual refresh, content changes, new functionality or a full migration. Request a scoped quote that includes redirects, testing and launch responsibilities.
Will redesigning my website hurt my Google rankings?
It can if the redesign is handled carelessly—particularly if pages are deleted, URLs change without redirects, or valuable content is removed. A careful redesign with proper redirects and content preservation minimizes disruption. No agency can guarantee rankings will never fluctuate.
Can DH Digital Design redesign a site built on Wix, GoDaddy, or Squarespace?
Yes. DH has redesigned sites from multiple platforms into WordPress. The migration process involves auditing the existing content and structure, preserving what has value, and building a new site on a platform you actually own and control.
Do I need to keep my existing domain during a redesign?
In almost all cases, yes. Your existing domain has history, recognition, and potentially inbound links. A redesign should preserve your domain unless there is a specific business reason to change it. Domain and DNS changes should be handled carefully to avoid email or site downtime.
How long does a website redesign take?
A visual refresh can take two to three weeks. A partial rebuild typically takes three to six weeks. A complete rebuild on a new platform may take six to ten weeks or more, depending on content volume and complexity. The biggest delays are usually waiting for content and images from the client.
Have a website budget in mind? Tell DH Digital Design what your business needs, and we’ll help you understand what can fit within it. Request a free quote for your WordPress website.