Replace an old website when it is slow or awkward on mobile, when your team cannot update it, when it runs on unsupported software, or when it no longer describes what the business does. If the structure and platform are sound, a targeted update is cheaper than a rebuild. Age alone is not the reason; lost enquiries and rising maintenance effort are.
Signs it is time
- Pages take several seconds to load on a mobile connection
- Text is tiny or layouts break on a phone
- Every small change needs a developer
- The platform, theme or plugins no longer receive security updates
- Services, prices or team shown on the site are out of date
- Enquiry forms fail or arrive in spam
- Competitors' sites make yours look dated
Rebuild or repair?
Repair when the design still fits the brand and the platform is supported: compress images, fix mobile layouts, update content and tidy the page structure. Rebuild when the platform is at the end of its life, when the site's structure no longer matches the business, or when the list of fixes is longer than a fresh build.
An honest audit should tell you which case you are in. If a vendor recommends a rebuild without looking at the current site, ask why.
How to replace a site without losing search visibility
Most ranking losses after a redesign come from changed URLs and removed content. Before launch, list every existing URL, keep the address where you can, and redirect each changed URL to its closest new page. Carry over page titles and the content that already brings visitors, and check Search Console for errors in the weeks after launch.
What to prepare
- Logins for the domain, hosting and analytics
- A list of pages that bring the most enquiries
- Updated text for services, team and contact details
- Current photos and brand files