Website Redesign Checklist: 10 Signs You Need a Refresh in 2025

Around 75% of consumers judge a company's credibility based on its website design. In 2025, having a fast and user-friendly website is a must for any business willing to grow.

Website expectations have changed a lot in recent years. A mobile-friendly design, fast load times, AI-driven personalization, and strong SEO are just the basics now.

If your website hasn’t been updated in a while, it might already be hurting your brand, traffic, and conversions without you even realizing it.

So how do you know if your website needs a redesign?

If your website is facing issues like poor user engagement, slow page load times, or declining conversion rates, it’s a clear sign you need a website redesign strategy.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through a website redesign checklist consisting of 10 major signs that show your website needs a refresh. We will also tell you how to fix them before they start hurting your business.

1. Your Website Isn't Mobile-First (Or Mobile-Optimized)

Today, smartphones are everywhere. In fact, 59.16% of global web traffic comes from smartphones alone.

With so many people browsing your website on their phones, having a mobile-friendly website is a necessity for any business.

If your website is hard to navigate on a phone or doesn’t adjust to some screen sizes, it is already harming mobile user experience.

It can cause visitors to leave quickly, increasing your bounce rate and decreasing conversions.

Worse, with search engines like Google prioritizing mobile-friendly websites, it can negatively impact your SEO.

As part of your website redesign checklist, mobile optimization should be a top priority.

How do I check if my website is mobile-friendly or not?

You can visit Google's Mobile-Friendly Test and enter your website’s URL. This tool will check your website’s performance on mobile phones and report issues.

To further investigate, you can browse your website on a mobile device and check the mobile navigation, readability, and overall user experience.

How to Fix It?

If you're facing minor mobile issues, you can try quick fixes like optimizing navigation and fixing distortions.

However, if your site is still struggling, you can take the help of a professional website redesign agency like Better Marketing to fully redesign your website without losing SEO.

2. Slow Loading Times

In 2025, users expect websites to load instantly. Studies show 53% of people abandon a website if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load on their mobile devices.

Plus, a 1-second delay in loading can lead to a 7% drop in conversions.

If you are experiencing slow page load times, it can increase bounce rates and lower conversions. Some signs that clearly indicate that your website is loading too slowly are:

• Your pages take more than 2-3 seconds to load.

• Visitors leave the website without signing up or making a purchase.

• Your Google Analytics shows high bounce rates and low engagement.

You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check your website’s load time.

How do I reduce the load time on my website?

You can fix slow load times by compressing images (use WebP format instead of PNG or JPEG). You can also minimize unnecessary code and enable browser caching.

If your site still struggles with performance, a custom website redesign can help you create a fast-loading website that engages visitors.

3. Your Website Feels Outdated

Your website’s design is a direct reflection of your brand. If your website looks outdated, visitors might assume your brand is outdated too.

In fact, 38.5% of web designers think that an outdated design is a top reason visitors leave a website.

There were some popular design trends that worked earlier, like generic stock images, autoplaying videos, or heavy animations. Today, these types of effects don’t attract visitors; rather, they can slow down your site.

Modern websites focus on clean and simple layouts. People expect a minimalist design with white space and micro-interactions like buttons that change color when hovered.

These subtle details make your website more user-friendly, professional, and trustworthy.

4. Your Website Offers a Poor User Experience

A good-looking website is incomplete without a smooth user experience. If your website has too many dropdowns, unclear labels, and a cluttered layout, it could easily confuse visitors.

With such experience, visitors are less likely to take any action. Your website should guide visitors from one step to another until they complete an action like signing up, buying a product, or contacting you.

If that path has too many steps, broken buttons, or unclear instructions, users might never finish.

How do I know if my website has a poor user experience (UX)?

You can tell if your website has a poor user experience when visitors don’t engage, stay there for long, and don't convert. Here are a few signs you can notice:

• Visitors leave after viewing only one page.

• You notice a drop in form submissions or high cart abandonment rates.

• Visitors rarely fill out forms

How Does Poor UX Hurt Your Business?

• Bad UX causes a 35% loss in sales.

• 70% abandon purchases due to poor UX.

• 32% leave brands they love after one bad experience.

How to improve user experience in a website?

You can fix poor UX on your website by simplifying your navigation and making sure important pages are easy to find. Keep forms short and easy to fill out, and check that your buttons and links work properly.

You can use tools like Treejack to test if your website structure is working for users. Other tools like Crazy Egg and Google Optimize help you see where visitors drop off so you can improve those areas.

5. Your Website Doesn’t Leverage AI Features

In 2025, smart websites are the new standard for businesses.

Businesses are implementing features such as AI-powered chatbots, personalized product recommendations, and smart search functions on their websites.

If your website doesn’t use any AI features, you might be missing out on more engagement and conversions.

Today, visitors expect websites to be more helpful, providing answers to all their queries.

To meet their needs, you can implement features like AI chatbots that answer queries in real time without manual effort.

You can use integrated tools like Tidio, ManyChat, Zoho PageSense, or Optimizely on your website to make it more personal.

Personalization tools show users relevant content or products based on their behavior. These small touches make your site feel more useful and professional.

6. Your Website Content No Longer Reflects Your Brand

If your content doesn’t match what your brand stands for today, it’s a clear sign you need a website redesign. What worked years ago might not work now.

Outdated messaging can confuse users and lower trust. If your tone, offers, or services have changed but your website hasn’t, users will notice.

Go through your pages and check if they still reflect your current voice and goals. This simple check is a key part of any website redesign checklist.

If your content speaks to the wrong audience or uses old brand language, it’s time for a refresh. Content updates are often part of a smart website redesign strategy.

A custom website redesign helps you realign your messaging, update visuals, and improve how people see your brand.

7. Your Website Has Accessibility Issues

A modern website must be accessible to all users. That includes people with visual, hearing, or mobility challenges.

In 2025, websites are expected to meet WCAG 2.2 guidelines. These include proper contrast, screen reader compatibility, and easy keyboard navigation.

If your website doesn’t meet these standards, it can create a poor user experience and legal risks. Accessibility is no longer optional.

Fixing these issues can be simple. Add alt text, use readable fonts, and test your site with tools like WAVE and axe DevTools.

A good website redesign process includes accessibility from day one. It's not just about compliance. It improves overall usability and builds trust.

8. Your Website Is Struggling to Rank (Poor SEO Performance)

If your search traffic is dropping, your site may be suffering from outdated SEO. Google's recent updates focus heavily on helpful content and fast performance.

You might notice fewer visits, lower rankings, or poor mobile performance. These are signs your website needs a redesign with SEO in mind.

Check your meta tags, headings, internal links, and mobile usability. If these are outdated, your site won’t rank well.

Use tools like Google Search Console or Ahrefs to spot what’s not working. A website redesign checklist should always include technical SEO fixes.

A complete website redesign plan should focus on fast loading, quality content, and proper structure. That’s the best way to recover lost rankings.

9. Your Tech Stack Is Holding You Back

Sometimes, it’s not what’s visible it’s the tools behind your site that slow you down. If your CMS or platform is outdated, it can block growth.

If simple updates take too long or you can’t integrate new tools like AI or analytics, your tech stack might be the issue.

In 2025, flexibility matters. Platforms like WordPress, Webflow, and Headless CMS options are fast and scalable.

A website redesign agency can help you migrate to a better system without losing data or SEO. This is often the most cost-effective long-term move.

If you're investing in a website redesign, choose tools that support your future goals, not just short-term fixes.

10. Your Competitors’ Websites Are One Step Ahead of You

If your competitors have a cleaner, faster, or more engaging site, users will choose them instead. In today’s market, website design is part of your strategy.

Run a quick check. Are their sites faster? Easier to use? Do they look more modern? Tools like SimilarWeb and BuiltWith can help you compare.

If your bounce rate is high or conversions are low, it might be time to redesign your website with better performance and messaging.

You don’t have to copy them. But knowing what others are doing helps you define your own edge in design, messaging, or features.

A well-planned website redesign strategy helps you stay ahead and show users why they should choose you.

Is It Time for a Website Redesign? Here’s Your Next Step

If your website shows even a few of these signs, it’s time to think about a refresh. A slow, outdated, or confusing site can quietly hurt your traffic, leads, and sales.

Start with the basics. Check your load speed, make sure your site looks good on mobile, and update old content. Fixing small things first can make a real difference.

But if your site still feels off or hard to manage, a full website redesign may be the better choice. That’s when working with the right team really matters.

At Better Marketing, we’ve helped startups and growing brands redesign websites that not only look better but also work better. Our custom website redesign services are built to improve user experience, speed, and results.

If you're ready for a website that actually supports your growth, we’re here to help. Let’s build something better, together.

FAQs

How much does a website redesign cost?

A website redesign cost in the US typically ranges from $3,000 to $15,000. It depends on the size of your website, the features you need, and whether you choose a custom website redesign or a basic refresh.

Can I redesign the website without losing SEO?

Yes, you can redesign your website without losing SEO if you follow the right steps. Keeping the same URL structure, optimizing meta tags, and setting up redirects are key parts of a good website redesign strategy.

How to redesign website without losing SEO

To redesign your website without losing SEO, make sure to back up your current site, use 301 redirects for old URLs, keep high-performing content, and update your meta descriptions and titles. Testing everything before going live is also important to avoid traffic loss.

How long does it take to redesign a website?

The website redesign process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. Timelines depend on how many pages your site has, the level of customization needed, and how quickly content and feedback are delivered.

How often should you redesign your website?

Most businesses should consider a website redesign every 2 to 3 years. This keeps your website aligned with design trends, SEO updates, and changes in user behavior or technology.

How many hours does it take to redesign a website?

A full redesign website project can take between 40 to 200+ hours. The total time depends on how complex your website is, the number of pages, and whether you’re going for a full custom website redesign.