A website redesign is inevitable for businesses looking to enhance their digital presence. However, without careful planning and budgeting, the project can quickly spiral out of control. Based on our agency’s experience, here are the key considerations to keep your website project running smoothly and within budget.
1. Defining Your Goals and Scope
Before setting a budget, it's crucial to define the scope of the redesign. Are you looking for a simple visual refresh, or do you need a complete overhaul with new functionalities? How many final website pages will be included? Who is writing the copy? These are just a few of the many questions an agency will likely ask when first exploring a website redesign. The more prepared you are with answers, the more accurate your estimate will be. Establishing clear goals will help prevent surprises throughout the project and avoid scope creep or additional billing.
2. Assessing Your Current Website and Identifying Gaps
Understanding your current website is an important step in the process. If you’ve decided to explore a website redesign, you’ve likely already encountered issues affecting performance. There are plenty of tools available to help diagnose current problems, such as HubSpot’s Website Grader, PageSpeed Insights, and Google Analytics. If you’re unsure how to use these tools or what to look for, an agency can assist in identifying problem areas. This assessment will help determine the best solutions for addressing existing issues and preventing them in the future.
3. Content Creation and Migration
Content is one of the most overlooked aspects of budgeting for a website redesign. Budgeting doesn’t just mean financial costs—it also includes time. If your redesign includes rewriting copy, be clear about who will handle this and how long it will take. In our experience, most project delays occur at this stage. Spend additional time upfront to identify what copy will be needed. If an agency is writing on your behalf, allow enough time for the writer to understand your brand and communication style. This may involve exploratory sessions and a review of existing content. Additionally, SEO considerations will likely come into play. A seasoned agency can help determine which blog content is valuable and what should be removed.
4. Design and Development Costs
The bulk of most website redesign budgets typically goes into design and development. Costs at this stage can vary significantly based on whether you choose a template-based solution, a custom design project, or a retainer-based approach. Below are the key differences and typical budget ranges for each:
Template-Based
Template-based websites are a great option for a professional and informational website. These easy-to-use editors, such as our Studio V Platform, provide a well-designed website with the ability to update content easily. The best part? We can deliver this at a fraction of the cost of a custom website by eliminating the need for a developer and passing the savings on to our clients. However, consider whether a template-based approach meets your needs. If your website requires integrations, custom e-commerce functionality, or unique elements like calculators or widgets, a template may not be the best fit.
Typical Price Range: $3,500 - $6,500, depending on scope and size.
Custom Project
Custom website projects are priced higher due to increased complexity, additional skill sets, and extended development time. A custom website at our agency is typically built using WordPress or HubSpot’s CMS Hub, offering greater flexibility in design, site speed, security, and customization. If you’re unsure whether you need a custom theme versus a template, consider that a custom website requires additional expertise for updates and maintenance. This approach is typically best for organizations requiring advanced functionality, integrations with third-party systems, or a robust marketing budget for ongoing agency support.
Typical Price Range: $15,000+ depending on size, scope, and functionality.
Retainer-Based Approach
The most tailored option involves an ongoing relationship with an agency. Our agency calls this approach Growth-Marketing, pairing digital marketing with Growth-Driven Design, a continuous improvement process that enhances your website and digital marketing over time. This data-driven approach allows us to assess and optimize strategies for measurable business results. Clients using this approach gain access to our entire team of digital marketing professionals for the cost of approximately one full-time employee. While not ideal for every company, this solution is a strong fit for businesses looking to scale their digital presence.
Typical Price Range: $6,000 per month and up.
5. SEO and Performance Optimization
SEO is a critical consideration in any website redesign. If you’re unfamiliar with SEO strategies, we recommend taking time to educate yourself on the various approaches. This page is a great guide explaining the various approaches, While local SEO and technical SEO can be offered at a lower monthly rate, ongoing organic SEO efforts require a larger investment due to the time needed to curate and create custom and fresh content every month. Our agency provides SEO services on both a project and retainer basis.
Typical Price Range: One-time SEO projects start at $2,500+, with ongoing SEO efforts costing several hundred dollars per month.
6. Integrations and Third-Party Tools
If your site relies on third-party tools such as CRM systems, payment gateways, or marketing automation platforms, ensure their integration is accounted for in your budget. Custom API development and plugin costs can vary widely. Some pre-built integrations are relatively simple, while fully custom API-level integrations require more extensive development.
Typical Price Range: Custom quotes are required based on complexity.
7. Hosting and Ongoing Maintenance
A website redesign isn’t a one-time expense—ongoing hosting, security updates, software licenses, and maintenance are necessary for long-term success. Your choice of hosting provider can significantly impact your site’s performance and security. Our agency offers dedicated server hosting, which ensures that your site is not affected by unreliable or malicious websites on shared servers. This improves site speed, security, and overall performance. Understanding who is managing your hosting and maintenance is critical to ensuring long-term stability and support.
Typical Price Range: $50 - a few hundred dollars per month, depending on site complexity and support needs.
Final Thoughts
A well-planned budget ensures that your website redesign meets business objectives without unnecessary expenses. By considering all aspects—from development to long-term maintenance—you can make informed financial decisions that support sustainable growth. Our agency is committed to helping you define the right approach to meet your digital marketing goals. If you’d like to discuss your project and budget, we’d love to chat!
