At some point, most business owners get the same nagging feeling about their website.

It technically works. It’s still live. But something feels off.

Maybe you avoid sharing the link. Maybe it no longer reflects where your business is now. Or maybe it just isn’t doing much for you anymore.

If you’re wondering whether it’s the right time to redesign your website, here are some clear signs to look out for, and a bit of reassurance if you’re sitting on the fence.

‍

Your website no longer reflects your business‍

Businesses evolve quickly. Services change. Confidence grows. Positioning sharpens.

If your website still feels like a snapshot of where you were a few years ago, that’s often the biggest sign it’s time for a redesign.

Ask yourself:

• Does this still represent the quality of my work?
• Would I be happy for this to be someone’s first impression of my business?
• Does it reflect how I want to be perceived now?

If the answer is no, your website may be holding you back more than you realise.

‍

You feel embarrassed sharing the link‍

This one comes up a lot.

If you find yourself apologising for your website before someone even clicks on it, that’s a clear signal. Your website should work as a quiet confidence booster, not something you feel you need to explain away.

A redesign isn’t about vanity. It’s about alignment. Your site should feel like it’s on the same level as the work you’re delivering day to day.

‍

It’s hard to update or maintain‍

If making a simple change feels like a chore, your website is probably due an upgrade.

Common signs include:

• Relying on a developer for every small update
• Avoiding changes because you’re worried something will break
• Outdated content because it’s too much effort to update

Modern websites should be easy to manage, even if you’re not technical. If the platform or setup is slowing you down, a redesign can make your life much easier.

‍

You’re not getting enquiries, bookings, or results‍

A website doesn’t just exist to look nice. It should support your business goals.

If your site isn’t generating enquiries, bookings, or meaningful engagement, it’s worth asking why.

Often the issue isn’t your offer, it’s:

• Unclear messaging
• Poor structure or user journey
• Weak calls to action
• A design that doesn’t guide visitors anywhere

A redesign gives you the chance to fix these things properly rather than patching over them.

‍

It doesn’t work well on mobile‍

For many businesses, mobile is the first and sometimes only way people see your site.

If your website feels cramped, slow, or awkward to use on a phone, that alone can justify a redesign. Even small frustrations on mobile can cause people to leave without taking action.

‍

Your website is several years old

Even if your site looks fine on the surface, older websites often fall behind in other ways.

Things like structure, performance, accessibility, and best practice change over time. A site built five or six years ago may still function, but it’s unlikely to be working as hard as it could.

A redesign doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes it’s about modernising what’s already there.

‍

Redesign or refresh. What’s the difference?‍

Not every website needs a full overhaul.

A refresh might involve:

• Updating visuals and layout
• Improving messaging
• Tweaking structure and calls to action

A full redesign usually means:

• Rethinking goals and strategy
• Restructuring pages
• Improving user journeys
• Rebuilding on a better platform

A good designer will help you figure out which approach makes sense for your situation.

‍

The best time to start planning is earlier than you think‍

Many people wait until their website feels urgent or broken before doing anything about it.

In reality, the smoothest projects happen when planning starts early. Giving yourself time to think about goals, content, and priorities leads to better decisions and a much calmer process.

You don’t need to redesign immediately to start the conversation.

‍

Final thoughts‍

If your website no longer reflects your business, is hard to manage, or isn’t delivering results, it’s probably time to rethink it.

A redesign isn’t about chasing trends or having the fanciest site online. It’s about making sure your website supports where your business is now and where it’s heading next.

If you’re unsure whether you need a full redesign or just a few strategic improvements, a quick conversation can usually make things much clearer.

Sometimes recognising the timing is the hardest part. Once that’s done, the rest tends to fall into place.