by Marielle Reussink

If you have a website that feels overwhelming, takes too long to load, and looks like it was built in the nineties, it might be time to consider revamping your website or rebuilding it completely.

How can you determine what’s the best solution for your website?

Before we break it down, let's first understand what is the difference between a website revamp and a website rebuild.

Website Revamp: 

A website revamp involves making changes to improve your existing website without completely overhauling it. You could also call this a website refresh or redesign.

It could include: 

• Rebranding or updating your brand to better reflect your company’s identity today 

• Updating fonts and colors for a more modern look

• Optimizing images and videos to make your website feel fresh 

• Updating your content to better tell your story and optimize for SEO

• Improve loading times for a better user experience 

• Changing some of the layout

• Enhancing the user experience by updating the navigation, filtering, search and other elements that help your audience navigate your website

• Adding new apps, plugins, integrations or custom coding to achieve missing functionalities or features

Website Rebuild:

A website rebuild is a comprehensive overhaul of your website's appearance, functionality and content. It's not just about giving your site a fresh coat of paint; it's about reimagining the entire digital experience for your audience. Some may also refer to this process as a website redesign but such projects go far beyond a facelift.

A website rebuild allows you to rethink the structure, content, and overall user experience of your website, ensuring it remains relevant and engaging in an ever-evolving digital landscape. It also allows you to consider if you’re using the right technology for your website or if you should migrate to a better platform to support your needs. 

While it might feel scary to change up your website completely, remember this: a rebuild represents an opportunity to elevate your online presence, remain relevant versus competitors, connect with your audience on a deeper level, and drive tangible results for your business.

Website Revamp or Rebuild? 

We know it can be overwhelming to decide whether your website needs a revamp or a rebuild. 

That’s why we’ve developed a set of questions to guide you. 

Start here: Do you need to do anything to your website? 

Answer the following questions with YES/NO.

• Do you love showing off your website? 

• Does your website feel dated? 

• Do you feel your website is helping you achieve your goals (leads or sales)? Does it convert?

• Is your website easy to find? Does it get enough traffic? 

• Is your website easy to navigate?

• Does the design of your website align with your current branding?

• Is your website content up to date? 

• Does your website feel slow?

• Is your website optimized across devices?

• Does your website have bugs and errors?

If you answered NO to most of these questions, it’s probably time to improve your website. 

Now let’s see if you can settle on a revamp or if you need to rebuild: 

• Do you feel anxious about managing your website? Is it difficult to make updates or to get things updated? 

• Do you feel important features or functionalities are missing? Or do you need new functionalities on your website to support your evolving business needs?

• Do you feel your website has become a stumbling block for your business? 

• Does your website feel outdated in comparison to competitors? 

• Are you planning to change your branding or has your brand changed significantly? 

• Has your target audience or business model changed significantly since your website was launched?

• Are you looking to improve brand awareness, generate leads, or increase online sales?

• Is the technology of your website outdated? 

If you answered YES to most of these questions, a website rebuild will likely be in your best interest but make sure to have an in-depth conversation with your website developer about your options and the pros and cons of each approach to make the right decision for your business.

Final Thoughts: 

Generally, a website revamp might be sufficient, if your website is functionally sound but outdated in design or content. On the other hand, a website rebuild might be necessary if your website is built on outdated technology, creating a poor user experience.

Here at The Emms, we're dedicated to your success. If you would like help to decide which option might be right for you, contact us for a free initial consultation. 

Marielle Reussink

Founder of The Emms, Marketing Professional, Entrepreneur & Advisor to Start-ups

Follow me: LinkedIn