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Many organizations find themselves needing to update their websites as they evolve their products, services, messaging, or brand. A website is one of your most valuable digital assets, and redesigning it can be an exciting yet demanding project that requires the right team and budget.
Cost: $500 - $2,500 for very small sites
Consideration: Time-intensive, best for very small sites with minimal design needs.
Cost: $6,000 - $15,000 for smaller sites using a theme to custom build
Consideration: Suitable for small to medium sites; provides a balance of cost and customization.
Cost: $15,000 - $100,000 for custom sites
Consideration: Ideal for complex, fully custom sites; offers a high level of expertise and comprehensive service.
A way that some agency’s charge is per page, especially if each page functions similarly (i.e. flat content only, no tools or dynamic content).
Low End: $800 per page
Medium End: $1,400 per page
High End: $2,500 - $3,500+ per page
You may be wondering, “why so pricey?” Well, websites are one of your most important digital assets and several factors influence the overall cost of a website redesign. Understanding these can help you budget effectively and make informed decisions.
Migrating to a new CMS can be complex and costly, involving data transfer, new configurations, and training for your team.
More pages, languages, and features increases cost. Larger sites with complex functionalities require more time and resources, driving up the overall cost.
More tools and widgets lead to higher expenses. Integrating additional tools such as calculators, e-commerce platforms or chatbots adds to the development time and cost.
The type and number of integrations (e.g., payment providers, CRM platforms) affect costs. Integrating various platforms and systems could require custom development and testing, which can be time-consuming and expensive.
The extent of work outsourced can significantly impact the budget. Full-service agencies offer comprehensive solutions but come at a higher cost compared to freelancers or smaller agencies. In-house efforts may save costs but require sufficient expertise and resources.
It’s typical for the agency or freelancer that you’re working with to build 2-3 iterations for design or content at no cost. Additional revisions and iterations can increase costs.
Larger agencies with extensive resources charge more, while smaller niche agencies might offer competitive rates. The reputation, experience, and location of the agency also play a role in determining the cost.
A redesign is a large, long, and not so simple project. A website redesign strategy involves multiple components working together seamlessly.
Here’s a deeper look at each element:
How will your new site be organized, and how will you incorporate SEO considerations? Information architecture involves mapping out the structure and hierarchy of your website to ensure intuitive navigation and optimal user experience. This process includes creating sitemaps, defining page relationships, and planning for future scalability.
What will the design look like across all devices? Will you use a pre-built theme or opt for a custom build? UX (User Experience) design focuses on the overall feel of the website, ensuring it's user-friendly and engaging. UI (User Interface) design, on the other hand, deals with the specific visual elements, such as buttons, icons, and layout, to create a cohesive look and feel across the site.
Who will write the copy for each page? Will you use existing content, and how will you ensure it fits the new design while being SEO-friendly? If you support more than one language, who will be translating and reviewing the new content? Effective copywriting is crucial for communicating your brand message and engaging your audience. This includes writing clear, concise, and compelling content that aligns with your brand voice and enhances the overall user experience.
How will you build different text, imagery, or experiences for diverse audience types? A personalization strategy involves customizing the user experience based on audience segments, such as existing vs. new clients or retirees vs. students. This can enhance user engagement by delivering relevant content and offers tailored to each visitor's needs and preferences.
Who will ensure that both the content and technical aspects of your site are SEO-friendly? This includes keyword research, on-page SEO (e.g., meta tags, headers), and technical SEO (e.g., site speed, mobile-friendliness). And ensure that it is doing what it’s intended to do.
How will the site be constructed, including tracking parameters, marketing tags, and software integrations? The strategy in which your website is developed takes careful thought. Will the team build reusable, mobile friendly components? Page templates? Or use a pre-built theme?. This also includes creating custom functionalities, integrating third-party tools, and ensuring the site is responsive across all devices.
Meeting AODA AA compliance for accessibility. Accessibility ensures that your website is usable by everyone, including people with disabilities. This involves following guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make your site accessible to a broader audience.
Checking for bugs, content errors, and design issues across devices before going live. QA is a critical step to ensure your website functions correctly and provides a smooth user experience. This includes testing on different devices and browsers, as well as checking for any errors or issues that need fixing. Don’t forget to do a content QA and design QA before moving to UAT.
Having the right people review pages and provide feedback. UAT involves getting feedback from you or your subject matter experts to ensure the site meets their needs and expectations. This step helps identify any final tweaks or adjustments needed before the site goes live.
Ensuring the project stays on track and on time. Effective project management involves coordinating all aspects of the redesign process, from planning and execution to monitoring progress and ensuring timely delivery.
Maintaining your website post-redesign is crucial for long-term success. Here are key considerations:
Continuous Evolution: Your website should be continually updated and improved to remain effective and relevant. Regular updates and enhancements demonstrate to search engines and users that your business is active and trustworthy. Investing in a content strategy can help your site continue to rank in search engines to gain traction with your target audience.
Maintenance Cost: $800/month and up for basic maintenance.
Importance: Continued access to optimization, security, and updates. Regular maintenance helps prevent issues such as security breaches, broken links, and outdated content.
Image Sourcing: Use credible stock image sites like Shutterstock, Adobe, Canva, or free tools like Unsplash and Freepik. High-quality images enhance the visual appeal of your site and contribute to a better user experience. If you choose a paid option, make sure to add that cost to your digital budget.
Redesigning your website is a significant investment, but with the right planning, team, and strategy, it can greatly enhance your online presence and business success. Carefully consider the various components, factors, and ongoing costs involved to ensure a smooth and effective redesign process. Remember, your website is a living, evolving entity that requires continuous attention and improvement. Investing wisely in your website can lead to increased traffic, better user engagement, and ultimately, more sales. Don't just go for the cheapest option—invest wisely to get the best results.
A big part of your website project is getting started which involves doing a deep dive into the analytics, performance and doing a content audit. Beyond that, you want to design a website strategy that aligns with the future of your company and is scalable so you don’t have to do another refresh for many years.
Not only will I handle the analysis, design the strategy, and build the SEO-focused information architecture, I’ll also connect you with a trusted agency partner to design and build your site affordably.