How Much Do Website Redesigns Cost in 2023

If you’re a business owner and you’ve been considering redesigning your website, the first question is probably, “How much will it cost?”. It’s a difficult question to answer, as several factors influence the cost of a website redesign. 

Website redesign prices range from $800 to $75,000 depending on who will do it, the scope and size of the project and the technology used. 

Knowing how these factors affect the redesign costs will enable you to decide how much money to set aside for your website overhaul. 

In-House vs. Freelancer vs. Agency

The biggest factor that determines how much a web redesign costs is who will do it. You can commission an in-house team, like your marketing team, to tweak your site. Or you can get the services of a seasoned freelancer or a well-known agency. 

There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these options. Check these out first before deciding on whom to hire.  

In-House Marketing Team/DIY

Best for: Small and simple websites that don’t require advanced features
Average Costs: $800 to $5,000/site

Pros

1. Cheapest option available
2. Quickest output (if working on minor tweaks)
3. Already familiar with the brand
   

Cons

1. Skills and expertise are limited
2. May be more costly in the long run
3. Can’t cater to advanced requirements
4. Your team will need to juggle their day-to-day projects as well as the website.

Many web builder platforms allow you to create your own stunning website using pre-made templates. Sites like Wix and Squarespace have a drag-and-drop interface that lets you customise how your site looks without touching a single line of code. 

However, what you’re trading for costs are time and expertise. You or your team need to spend hours learning how the platforms work to produce a basic website design. You’d also need to figure out how to integrate your website with existing systems like a CRM.  If you want a unique, cutting-edge site that’s better than your competition or if you need advanced integrated features, then working with an expert is a better choice. 

While DIY web redesign uses existing talent, you should still consider costs like web builder subscription, pro templates and premium plugins. These costs add up depending on your preferences.

Freelance Web Designer

Best for: Simple to complex websites that only need a fundamental redesign
Average Costs: $3,000 to $10,000/site

Pros

1. There’s a freelancer for every budget
2. Access to a seasoned professional
   

Cons

1. Risk of delayed projects
2. Limited to design and development services only 
3. Usually scoped per hour, so the more time spent and not controlled, the more expensive the project.

Freelancers are individuals who work with several clients at any given time. Compared to an in-house team, they will have more exposure to website trends and have well-developed expertise. You can hire novice freelancers who are still building their portfolio or go for a seasoned pro with lots of successful projects under their belt. 

However, freelancers can be a hit or miss. Because you’re most likely dealing with a single person, the project can take longer than anticipated. They are also more invested in the design aspect alone and may not be able to provide insights into other critical factors like conversion rate optimisation. 

Before starting a project, freelancers will ask for a design brief and present mockups. Use this time to gauge their expertise and whether you’d like to proceed. 

Web Design Agency

Best for: Complex websites that require advanced features
Average Costs: $15,000 to $75,000/site

Pros

1. Access to a diverse set of expertise
2. Can cater to large-scale and complex projects
3. Provides a high-performing website
4. A more refined and deliverable scope to ensure timelines and expectations are achieved

Cons

1. More costly than the other options but a worthwhile investment

A web design agency is your best option if you require a complete website overhaul and are considering introducing advanced features like chat integration, eCommerce functionalities and more. 

Agencies are composed of several individuals who are experts in different complementary fields. You’re not just getting a website designer when you work with an agency. You’re also getting a content strategist, copywriter, UI/UX expert and branding consultant. 

A web design agency will take time to know your business and goals. They’d spend time analysing your existing content and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Before starting a redesign, they’d present an overall strategy that ensures you don’t just have a stunning website but also a high-performing one. 

The only drawback would be the cost. But if you think about the returns, you’d realise that the cost of hiring a web design agency is a worthwhile investment. 

Project Scope

The scope of your project plays a significant role in the total cost of your website redesign. This will determine whom you need to hire for the job. 

A simple website with a few pages usually requires less time and money and can be accomplished by an in-house team or a novice freelancer. An extensive site with more complex features will need a seasoned freelancer or agency. 

If you need additional services, such as content creation or SEO work, this will increase the total cost. 

Technology & Platform Choices 

The technology and platform choices you make will also affect your budget. For example, if you opt for an open-source content management system (CMS) like WordPress, this could save you money in development costs compared to building a custom solution from scratch. 

However, if you want to take advantage of specific features or plugins that require premium licenses, this may add up quickly depending on what's needed for each page or section of your site.  

If you opt for platforms with a monthly or annual subscription, like HubSpot CMS or Wix, you should also factor those monthly costs into your budget. 

Final Thoughts 

Website redesigns can be expensive projects, but they don't have to be. 

By choosing the right web design partner and making smart technology decisions upfront, businesses can keep costs reasonable while still getting great results in terms of quality and performance. 

Ultimately, it comes down to having realistic expectations and understanding what tasks need to be completed. This will help you determine how much you should budget for your website redesign project.

If you have questions or want to know more about how an agency works for a website project, get in touch.