Do I Need a New Website? How to Know When It's Time

Your website is a few years old. Maybe it looks dated. Maybe it’s not bringing in leads like it used to. Maybe you’re just embarrassed to share the link.

But a new website is a significant investment. How do you know if you actually need one, or if you can fix what you have?

This guide helps you make that decision with a clear framework — not a sales pitch.

TL;DR: The Quick Assessment

You probably need a new website if:

• It’s not mobile-friendly
• It takes more than 4 seconds to load
• You can’t update it yourself (or updates break things)
• It doesn’t reflect your current business
• Visitors can’t figure out what you do

You can probably fix your current site if:

• The foundation is solid but content is outdated
• Design is okay but conversion elements are missing
• Technical issues are minor and fixable
• You just need better SEO setup

The deciding question: Is the problem with the content/strategy, or with the underlying platform and structure?

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The Three Paths

When your website isn’t working, you have three options:

Path 1: Optimize What You Have

What it means: Keep the current site, but improve content, add conversion elements, fix technical issues.

Best for:

• Sites built on solid platforms (WordPress, Squarespace) in the last 3-5 years
• Problems are content or strategy related, not structural
• Design is acceptable, just needs polish
• Budget is limited

Typical cost: $500-2,000
Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Path 2: Redesign

What it means: New design and content on the same platform. Keep domain, hosting, and basic structure.

Best for:

• Current platform works, but design is dated
• Site structure is mostly right
• Want fresh look without starting from scratch
• Some content can be reused

Typical cost: $2,000-5,000
Timeline: 1-3 weeks

Path 3: Complete Rebuild

What it means: Start fresh. New platform, new design, new content strategy.

Best for:

• Current site is on a problematic or outdated platform
• Fundamental structure is wrong
• Business has changed significantly
• Current site can’t be salvaged cost-effectively

Typical cost: $3,000-10,000+
Timeline: 2-4 weeks

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Signs You Need a New Website

These issues usually can’t be fixed without starting over:

1. Not Mobile-Friendly

If your site doesn’t work properly on phones, this is non-negotiable. Over 60% of local searches happen on mobile. Google uses mobile-first indexing.

Test it: Pull up your site on your phone right now. Is it:

• Easy to read without zooming?
• Navigation usable with thumbs?
• Phone number tap-to-call?
• Forms easy to complete?

If the answer is “no” to any of these, and your site can’t be made responsive, you need a new one.

2. Dangerously Slow

Slow sites lose visitors before they see your content. They also rank worse in Google.

Test it: Run your site through PageSpeed Insights.

Score	Verdict
0-49	Poor — likely needs rebuild
50-74	Needs improvement — may be fixable
75-89	Decent — optimize what you have
90-100	Good — focus elsewhere

Common causes of slowness:

• Cheap shared hosting (fixable by upgrading)
• Unoptimized images (fixable)
• Bloated platform or plugins (sometimes fixable, sometimes not)
• Old technology that can’t be optimized (rebuild required)

3. Can’t Update It

If making simple changes requires a developer, or if updates frequently break things, you’re trapped.

Signs of this problem:

• You avoid updating because something always goes wrong
• Developer from years ago is unreachable
• No one knows the login credentials
• The platform is obscure or discontinued

A website you can’t maintain is a liability, not an asset.

4. Built on Problematic Technology

Some platforms are dead ends:

Rebuild usually required:

• Flash (completely obsolete)
• Custom-built sites with no CMS
• Proprietary platforms you can’t export from
• Very old versions of platforms no longer supported

Might be salvageable:

• Older WordPress (if core/theme can be updated)
• Page builders with export options
• Standard platforms that just need updating

5. Security Nightmares

If your site has been hacked, shows security warnings, or runs on software years out of date, you’re at risk.

Warning signs:

• Browser shows “Not Secure” warning
• Google flags it as dangerous
• Strange pages or links appearing
• Hosting provider warnings

Sometimes you can clean and secure an existing site. But if it’s been compromised multiple times or the underlying software can’t be updated, rebuilding on a secure foundation is safer.

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Signs You Can Fix What You Have

These problems don’t require starting over:

1. Content Is Outdated

If the site looks fine and works well, but the content is stale, update the content.

Fixable issues:

• Old service descriptions
• Former team members still listed
• Outdated pricing or offers
• Blog posts from 5 years ago
• Photos that don’t represent current business

Solution: Content refresh, not redesign.

2. Missing Conversion Elements

Your site exists but doesn’t generate leads. Often the structure is fine — it just needs:

• Clearer calls-to-action
• Better contact forms
• Trust signals (reviews, testimonials)
• Improved value proposition on homepage

Solution: Conversion optimization, not rebuild.

3. Poor SEO Setup

The site isn’t showing up in Google, but it’s technically sound.

Fixable issues:

• Missing or generic page titles
• No meta descriptions
• Content not targeting right keywords
• Google Business Profile not linked
• Missing schema markup

Solution: SEO optimization, not redesign.

4. Design Is “Okay”

Maybe it’s not winning awards, but it’s not embarrassing either. Visitors can find what they need.

If the design is functional and the real problems are content or strategy, a fresh coat of paint won’t fix the underlying issues — and a rebuild isn’t necessary.

Solution: Focus on what actually moves the needle.

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The Decision Framework

Answer these questions honestly:

Technical Assessment

Question	Yes	No
Site works properly on mobile	Keep	Rebuild
Site loads in under 4 seconds	Keep	Consider rebuild
You can update content yourself	Keep	Consider rebuild
Platform is current and supported	Keep	Rebuild
Site is secure (HTTPS, updated software)	Keep	Fix or rebuild

Business Assessment

Question	Yes	No
Site reflects your current business	Keep	Update content
Services/products accurately described	Keep	Update content
Target customers can find what they need	Keep	Restructure
You’re not embarrassed to share the link	Keep	Redesign
Site generates leads/calls	Keep	Optimize or rebuild

Scoring

Mostly “Keep” answers: Optimize what you have. Focus on content, conversion, and SEO.

Mix of answers: Likely need redesign. Keep the platform, refresh the design and content.

Mostly “Rebuild” answers: Time for a new website. The foundation isn’t worth building on.

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The Real Cost of Waiting

A bad website isn’t just embarrassing — it costs you money.

Lost Leads

Every visitor who bounces because your site is confusing, slow, or doesn’t work on their phone is a potential customer you’ll never meet.

If 100 people visit your site monthly and your conversion rate is 1% instead of 3% because of website problems, that’s 24 lost leads per year.

Lost Visibility

Google favors fast, mobile-friendly, regularly-updated sites. An outdated site ranks worse, which means fewer people find you in the first place.

Lost Trust

When prospects check you out online (and they will), what do they see? A site that looks like it hasn’t been touched in 5 years signals a business that’s not keeping up.

The Calculation

Compare the cost of a new website to the value of the business you’re losing.

Example:

• New website: $5,000
• Average customer value: $500
• If a new site brings in just 10 more customers over a year, it’s paid for itself

Most websites should generate far more than that when done right.

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Questions to Ask Yourself

Before deciding, reflect on these:

About your current site:

• When was it last significantly updated?
• What do customers say when they use it?
• Do you refer people to it confidently?
• Is it helping your business grow?

About your business:

• Has your business changed since the site was built?
• Are you targeting different customers now?
• Do you offer different services?
• Has your competition improved their online presence?

About your resources:

• Do you have budget for a rebuild, or only for optimization?
• Do you have time to be involved in a website project?
• Do you have content ready, or does it need to be created?

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What I’d Recommend

Based on working with local businesses, here’s my honest take:

Optimize if: Your site is 1-3 years old, built on a good platform, and the main issues are content or conversion related. Spend $500-2,000 to improve what you have.

Redesign if: Your site is 3-5 years old, the platform is solid, but the design feels dated and content needs a major refresh. Expect $2,000-5,000.

Rebuild if: Your site is 5+ years old, on an outdated platform, not mobile-friendly, or you’ve outgrown it completely. Plan for $3,000-10,000+.

Don’t rebuild when optimization would work. I’d rather tell you to invest $1,000 in your current site than sell you a $5,000 project you don’t need.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a website last?

Functionally, 3-5 years is typical before needing significant updates. Design trends shift, technology changes, and your business evolves. Plan for a major refresh every 3-5 years and a rebuild every 5-7 years.

Can I just update the design but keep the content?

Yes, if the content is still accurate and effective. A redesign can give you a fresh look while preserving good content. Just make sure to review everything — often content that seems “fine” has more issues than you realize.

What about my SEO if I rebuild?

If done correctly, rebuilding should help your SEO, not hurt it. The key is proper redirects (old URLs pointing to new URLs), maintaining or improving content quality, and keeping your domain.

Can I build it myself this time?

Maybe. DIY platforms like Squarespace and Wix work for simple sites. But if you’ve tried DIY before and the result didn’t work for your business, a professional might be better. See our DIY vs Hiring a Pro guide.

How do I know if my web designer is recommending what I actually need?

A good designer should explain their reasoning and show you alternatives. If someone is pushing a complete rebuild when optimization might work, ask why. Get a second opinion if you’re unsure.

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What This Means for Your Business

The right decision depends on your specific situation. Not every old website needs to be replaced, and not every new website needs to be expensive.

What matters is that your website works — that it represents your business well, helps people find you, and converts visitors into customers.

Whether you’re a baker in Baltimore, an accountant in Austin, or a contractor here in Springfield, Oregon — the framework is the same. Assess honestly, invest appropriately, and focus on what actually moves your business forward.

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Next Steps

Option 1: Self-assess Use the decision framework above. Be honest about where your site falls.

Option 2: Get a professional opinion I offer free website assessments. I’ll look at your site, tell you what I see, and recommend a path — even if that path is “do nothing” or “fix it yourself.”

No pressure, no obligation. Just clarity.

Get a free website assessment →