Janelle, how long is my website redesign going to take? You're going to love this answer—because it’s the one you’ve probably already heard if you’ve ever ventured down the path of a website redesign: it depends!
But Janelle, you say, I hate that answer! Totally fair, I hate it too. I wish I could pull out a crystal ball, peer into the future, and pinpoint the exact moment we’ll be celebrating the launch of your brand new website with all of the bells and whistles. In a perfect world, we tell our prospective clients, with all the right pieces in place, we estimate 4–6 months for a standard website redesign. In the marketing industry, with campaigns turned around on the fly in quick succession, that seems like a very long time.
Unlike some other marketing initiatives designed to get quick wins, your website redesign is a deep, strategic undertaking. The average lifespan of a website is about 5–10 years, which means you’re not just redesigning for today—you’re planning for where your business is going to be in the future. A well-executed website needs to address what’s not working right now and anticipate changes in your industry, your audience, and your offerings. Without proper planning and execution, you're looking at another website redesign in another 1-2 years, which is why it's not something that we take lightly.
Why Website Timelines Vary
Since starting at VDG, I’ve managed over a dozen website redesigns from kickoff to launch, and I can tell you—no two projects are ever the same. Some large sites have flown through the process quickly, while small, seemingly simple projects took over a year. Why? Because a lot of factors influence the timeline:
- Content Readiness – Do you have all your content, or are we writing from scratch?
- Stakeholder Involvement – Is there a single decision-maker, or does every department need sign-off?
- Design Complexity – Are we customizing every page layout, or working within a templated structure?
- Development Needs – Are we integrating with complex third-party systems, or keeping it simple?
- Revisions & Approvals – How long does it take to get feedback and make decisions?
If you’re hesitating on a website redesign because of how long it might take, it's important to understand that the time is going to pass anyway. The longer you wait, the more outdated your site becomes, and the bigger the overhaul will need to be later. Planning your project internally upfront helps prevent roadblocks and ensure a smooth overhaul process beginning to end. John (VDG's BD manager) has a great article on preparing for a website redesign that will make everything move smoother.
How to Speed Up Your Website Redesign
Let’s say you took John’s advice (he’ll be thrilled!) and have done the prep work. You’ve got your goals mapped out, your content ready, and your key stakeholders aligned. Now, all you need is the right agency with a team that knows marketing inside and out (cough, VDG). Here’s how you can help keep your website redesign moving efficiently:
1. Listen to John and Prepare (Seriously!)
The more prep work you do ahead of time—like organizing content, defining priorities, and getting internal approvals—the fewer delays you’ll face down the road.
2. Know That Good is Better Than Perfect
Aiming for perfection is the fastest way to slow a project down. Define your must-haves versus nice-to-haves, and focus on launching with the highest-impact features first. (You can always refine and improve later, and we can help!)
3. Trust the Process
Your website project isn’t just about getting to the finish line—it’s about creating a site that works for your business. Trust your agency’s expertise, be decisive with feedback, and keep moving forward.
At VDG, we take a Growth-Driven Design (GDD) approach, which means we launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) first, then refine and expand based on real user data. This method allows you to get your new site live faster, while continuously improving it over time.
4.Consider Studio V
Say you need a website, you need it right now, and you're not an experienced web designer. VDG's Studio V drag-and-drop website builder may be the best choice. We pair you with a web designer who will guide you through the process. Instead of navigating complex design decisions on your own, you’ll have expert support to ensure your site looks professional, functions seamlessly, and gets launched faster with minimal hassle.
At VDG, we take a Growth-Driven Design (GDD) approach, which means we launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) first, then refine and expand based on real user data. This method allows you to get your new site live faster, while continuously improving it over time.
Ready to Get Started?
A website redesign might feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and the right team, it can be an exciting and efficient process. If your current site isn’t doing your business any favors, don’t let time be the excuse to put off the inevitable. The best time to start? Now.
Need help navigating your website redesign? Download our free website redesign checklist and contact us today!
