Is it time to update your website?

As you plan your budgets for 2025, it might be wise to conduct a digital “health check” to see if you should set aside funds for a website refresh.

It may feel like you just launched your new website, and that it wasn’t too long ago you were deciding whether the CTA button should use this or that color. Your company’s values and vision were neatly placed under “About Us,” and your service offerings were tidily listed under “What We Do.”

But perhaps your company has grown (or shrunk), and your strategy has been revised multiple times. Your brand guidelines are probably archived somewhere on the server where no one can find them, and it’s no longer as clear “Who We Are.”

These might be good reasons to budget for revitalizing your company’s digital presence.

Should you continue building on what you have, or start from scratch?

There are some key questions you should ask yourself to determine whether your website is ready for some new content modules or if it has simply become outdated and needs to be scrapped. To help you make this decision, we’ve listed five reasons to build an entirely new website and five reasons to upgrade your existing one.

5 Reasons to Build an Entirely New Website

1. Aligning with a new strategy and brand

If your company has changed its strategy, undergone a rebranding, or wants to position itself differently in the market, a new website can better reflect these changes. It provides an opportunity to communicate your message clearly and concisely to your target audience.

2. A fresh start, free of technical debt

Older websites can accumulate significant “technical debt” over time, making them more vulnerable to errors and issues. By building a new website from scratch, you can eliminate old code and outdated systems, and implement the latest technologies for improved performance and security.

3. Modernizing design and user experience

By starting anew, you can design a website that meets the expectations of today’s users. This includes modern aesthetics, mobile responsiveness, and interactive elements that engage visitors and strengthen your brand, as well as ensuring accessibility and user-friendliness.

4. Improved performance and responsiveness

A new website with optimized code can lead to faster load times and better responsiveness across devices. This not only enhances user experience but can also contribute to higher conversion rates.

5. Preparing for future growth

After multiple rounds of small adjustments and additions to your service offerings or focus areas, your website may have lost its clarity and flow. What was once a clear and modern site can now feel cluttered and user-unfriendly. Cleaning it up might be more time-consuming than starting with a blank slate. If your company is growing, investing in a new, future-proof website that can keep pace with expansion is likely a wise decision.

5 Reasons to Upgrade Your Existing Website

1. A cost-effective solution

Upgrading can be more cost-effective than building an entirely new website. You can enhance the design and functionality without incurring the higher costs often associated with a completely new project. By adding new content modules, even complex, text-heavy sections can be made lighter and more user-friendly.

2. Preserving existing SEO value

Your website has likely accumulated valuable SEO rankings over time. By upgrading, you avoid the risk of losing these search engine rankings—a risk that can arise if the transition to a new website isn’t managed carefully.

3. Faster implementation

An upgrade typically requires less time than building a new website from scratch. This means you can start benefiting from the improvements sooner rather than later.

4. Maintaining a familiar user experience

If your customers are accustomed to your current website structure and navigation, retaining these familiar elements can be advantageous. Upgrades can focus on improving design and functionality without creating confusion for your users.

5. Data-Driven improvements

You can use insights from your existing user data to make targeted improvements. This data-driven approach allows you to optimize your website based on what actually works for your users, ensuring any changes directly benefit your audience.

Wondering if your website still supports your company’s strategy and user needs?

A digital health check can help determine whether it’s time for a new website that reflects strategic changes, eliminates technical debt, and improves performance. Or perhaps an upgrade is sufficient to provide cost-effective improvements, preserve SEO value, and maintain a familiar user experience.

Regardless of the path you choose, ensuring your website accurately represents your brand and supports your business goals is essential for staying competitive in today’s digital landscape. If you’re still unsure which option is best for your company, we can help guide you through the process and recommend the most effective solution for your unique needs.