Redesigning a website can feel like a daunting move. If your current site or app just ticks over, it’s easy to push the idea down the to-do list. But when something's off, or when users stop coming to your site, it might be time to ask the hard question: is my website actually helping my business, or quietly holding it back?
We've worked with plenty of clients who weren’t quite sure if a redesign was the right step until they saw just how much it could improve performance, user experience, and even team productivity. To help you decide whether your site needs a redesign, here are eight clear signs (or red flags) that tell you it's time. We'll also get into why we think Webflow is the best platform to build your next version on.
1. Your website feels outdated
(and you cringe every time you see it)
We've worked with so many clients who've been openly embarrassed at their website, so if you've ever hesitated to share your website link because it looks tired or awkward on mobile, you’re not alone. A dated interface, clunky layout, or old branding can make your business feel stuck in time, even if your services are cutting-edge. A main problem for many companies is that they rarely have the time to devote to their own site, so it slips down their priority list.
With Webflow, staying up to date isn’t a struggle. You can refresh layouts, swap visuals, or tweak components without diving into lines of code or waiting on a developer that you're tied into a contract with. That agility makes it much easier to stay current – and proud of what you're showing the world. At Haddington & Haddington, after we've designed your website, you can easily contact us for contract-free ad-hoc updates to your site, whenever you need them (if you're not confident in doing this yourself).
2. You're getting traffic, but not conversions
High visitor numbers, but no real enquiries? That’s a telltale sign your website isn’t doing its job. Whether you want people to sign up to a service, buy a product or purchase a demo booking – your site should be guiding users towards making some kind of action. Product pages may also look beautiful, but remember that trust signalling and creating clear return policies/terms and conditions and displaying reviews is a great way to draw users in and make them believe in your brand.
3. Mobile visitors are leaving quickly
With the majority of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, your site has to shine on small screens. If pages are slow, buttons are hard to tap, or layouts get scrambled, users will quickly leave and likely not come back. We've even seen sites with contact forms that don't work – no wonder clients and customers don't get in touch, as they physically can't!
Responsive design isn’t optional nowadays, and a platform like Webflow builds it right into your workflow. You can fine-tune every breakpoint, preview on multiple screen sizes, and make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
4. You struggle to make simple updates
If swapping an image or fixing a typo feels like a project in itself, that’s a red flag. You should be able to update content, publish blogs and tweak pages without needing to file a ticket or wait on your dev team.
One client came to us because their old CMS required hard-coding blog posts. The marketing team couldn’t launch a new campaign page without looping in developers for every detail. That’s not sustainable, so we rebuilt their blog and landing pages in Webflow with custom collections so the team could update content themselves.
5. Your website no longer reflects your business
Businesses evolve fast. Maybe you’ve repositioned in your market, changed your target audience, or launched new services. But if your site still talks to your old audience or sells an outdated story, you're not just missing opportunities – you might be confusing the right visitors altogether. Remember that your site should grow with your business, not lag behind it. A redesign is your chance to bring everything back into sync – from messaging and visuals, to structure and tone.
6. Your SEO and site speed are falling short
Slow load times and weak search rankings are two problems that quietly erode your online presence. If your site takes too long to load or fails Google's Core Web Vitals tests, the chances are you're losing traffic before a page even renders.
We’ve worked with clients whose sites loaded fine on their local WiFi, but once tested on mobile networks or slower connections, things got rough. Huge image files, bloated plug-ins and unoptimised code are common culprits. With Webflow, you get clean, semantic code, fast-loading features and built-in tools to help keep things optimised. You can also fine-tune alt tags, meta titles, and even control schema markup, all without plugging in 10 third-party tools.
7. Your bounce rate is high
A high bounce rate is often a sign that visitors aren't finding what they need, or they’re finding it too late. If your homepage isn’t making a clear promise or your users can’t instantly understand what you offer, they’ll go elsewhere. For instance, if users are expected to scroll past five full-screen sliders before they can find what they're looking to purchase, the call-to-action becomes buried. Consider your page structure and how this can clarify your company messaging. Put your calls to action front and centre, and watch that bounce rate drop.
8. You're relying on developers for everything
If every little change involves emailing a developer, reviewing a scope doc, and waiting a week, your site will always be behind. At today’s pace, businesses need websites they can actually manage. We had a startup client who wanted to update their pricing table for a summer promotion. But their dev team was tied up for a month, which meant missed opportunities. We rebuilt their site in Webflow and trained their team to be site editors. Now they can update their site's details whenever they need to. No support tickets, and no delays. Even if your team isn’t technical, Webflow’s interface gives just enough structure to make confident changes without fear of breaking things.
The takeaway: redesigns aren’t just about looks
A redesign isn't about making your site more pretty. It’s about making it work harder for you and tackling any functionality issues that users may be facing. Whether you're losing leads, struggling with updates, or feeling like your digital presence just doesn't match your business anymore, these are all valid signs that it's time to take action.
