How to measure the ROI of your website redesign project

A website serves as the front door to a business, making its design and functionality critical to success. Unfortunately, it can quickly become outdated and boring. In such a situation, a well-executed website redesign is definitely going to come in handy. It can enhance user experience, strengthen brand identity, and ultimately contribute to any business's bottom line.

But how can you make sure that such an investment pays off? The key here is to understand and measure the entire project's return on investment. In the following article, you will learn how to do just that!

What is website ROI and why is it important?

ROI, or return on investment, measures the profitability of an investment. In the context of a website redesign, it assesses whether the money you spend on revamping a site brings in enough profit to justify the cost.

Measuring return on investment is vital, as it helps you understand the effectiveness of a redesign. It serves as a critical indicator, providing insights into how well the redesign aligns with strategic objectives and contributes to overall business growth.

E-commerce website redesign and other redesign projects - What's the difference?

The approach to measuring ROI can differ significantly between e-commerce website redesigns and other types of projects. E-commerce sites often focus on direct metrics like sales figures, conversion rates, and average cart values. In contrast, non-e-commerce projects might emphasize improvements in brand visibility, user engagement, and lead generation capabilities.

How do you calculate the ROI of a website redesign?

Calculating the return on investment (ROI) of a website redesign involves comparing the costs associated with the redesign to the benefits it generates over time. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you calculate the ROI of a website redesign!

Calculate the website redesign costs

To begin, you need to calculate the total cost associated with the redesign. It includes both direct costs, such as design and development fees, content creation, and marketing expenses, and any software or licenses purchased, as well as indirect costs like the time spent in planning and implementing the redesign.

Identify and quantify the benefits

Once you have a clear understanding of the total investment made into the redesign, the next step is to identify and quantify the benefits that result from it. Increased revenue is a primary benefit, which could manifest as an increase in online sales, leads, or a higher conversion rate. Cost savings are another significant benefit, which might come from reduced website maintenance costs or lower customer service inquiries thanks to an improved user experience.

Calculate the return on investment

To calculate the return on investment, you apply the formula where return on investment is the net profit divided by the cost of investment, multiplied by 100. Net profit is calculated by subtracting the total costs from the total benefits.

For example, if the total cost of the redesign is $20,000 and, as a result, the website generates an additional $5,000 per month in revenue, over a year, it would result in $60,000 in benefits. The net profit would then be $40,000, and the return on investment would be 200 percent.

$60,000 - $20,000 = $40,000

($40,000 : $20,000) * 100% = 2 * 100% = 200%

Monitor and adjust

It's important to continuously monitor and adjust based on the performance of the website redesign. Using analytics to track key performance indicators such as organic traffic from search engines, conversion rates, and sales, both before and after the redesign, is essential. The best tools you could possibly use for the job include Google Analytics, Ahrefs, Semrush, Mixpanel, and Google Search Console.

Keep in mind that not everything is measurable!

When evaluating the success of a business website redesign, it's crucial to recognize that not every benefit can be directly measured in numbers. While quantitative metrics like increased sales, higher traffic, and improved conversion rates are important, numbers don't capture the full spectrum of value that a redesign brings.

Many of the advantages are qualitative and, therefore, less tangible. Nevertheless, the said advantages still contribute to building a strong, reputable brand and creating a positive user experience that, although indirectly, supports business growth and sustainability in the long run.

For instance, while you can't exactly measure brand recognition, having an attention-grabbing and innovative website should help you boost it. It might cause quite a few clients to remember you and come back to you in a few months or even years.

Other qualitative benefits of having a new website include positive user experiences, increased trust, increased effectiveness of online marketing efforts, and better security, among other things.

Main factors contributing to website redesign ROI

A website redesign can significantly impact a business's online presence, affecting everything from customer engagement to revenue. However, understanding the return on investment for such a project requires a comprehensive look at both the costs involved and the potential benefits. Several key factors contribute to the return on investment of a website redesign, each playing a crucial role in determining its overall effectiveness and value to the business.

Redesign cost

The starting point for calculating return on investment is the total cost of the redesign. It encompasses all expenses directly tied to the project, including design, development, content creation, and any additional costs for software or third-party services. Keeping redesign costs in check while ensuring quality can positively influence a website redesign's ROI, making it essential to plan and budget effectively.

Average cart value

One of the primary goals of a website redesign is to increase revenue, and one metric to watch is the average cart value. Improvements in site layout, user experience, and product presentation can encourage customers to purchase more per transaction. A higher average cart value directly contributes to increased revenue, positively affecting ROI.

Conversion rate

The conversion rate is a critical metric in assessing the success of a website redesign. Enhancing the user experience, streamlining the checkout process, and optimizing call-to-action buttons can lead to a higher percentage of visitors making a purchase or completing a desired action. An increase in the conversion rate after a redesign is a strong indicator of its success and a direct contributor to ROI.

Organic traffic

Organic traffic, or visitors that come to your site from unpaid search engine results, is a key factor in website performance. A redesign that improves search engine optimization through things like better content, optimized images, and improved site structure can lead to higher rankings in search engines, driving more organic traffic to the site. Since organic traffic is a cost-effective source of visitors, increasing it can significantly improve a project's return on investment.

Paid traffic

While organic traffic focuses on unpaid sources, paid traffic involves visitors who come through paid advertising campaigns. A well-designed website can make paid traffic more effective by providing a better landing page experience, which can improve advertisement performance and reduce the cost per acquisition. Thus, optimizing the site for paid traffic efficiency can enhance a redesign' return on investment quite a bit.

Dwell time

Dwell time, or the amount of time visitors spend on a site, can influence search engine rankings and user engagement. A redesign that results in longer dwell times indicates that visitors find the content engaging and valuable, which can lead to higher conversion rates and more repeat visits. Increasing dwell time indirectly contributes to ROI by improving the site's visibility and attractiveness to potential customers.

Maintenance cost

The cost of maintaining the website post-redesign plays a significant role in determining ROI. A redesign that simplifies site management, improves security, and reduces the need for frequent updates can lower long-term maintenance costs. Reducing the said costs can significantly impact the overall return on investment of the project by decreasing the total investment required to keep the redesigned website running efficiently.

Project complexity

The complexity of a website redesign project can significantly affect both its cost and its success. Complexity can arise from various factors such as the size of the website, the number of features required, the level of custom design or functionality, and the integration with other systems or services. A more complex project requires more resources, including skilled web designers, and more time, which can increase the initial costs. However, if well-managed, a complex redesign can also offer substantial benefits by addressing specific user needs, improving functionality, and ensuring the site can scale with the business, potentially leading to a higher return on investment.

Time constraints

Time constraints can also impact the ROI of a website redesign. A tight timeline may necessitate additional resources to meet the launch date, increasing the project's cost. Rushing a project can also lead to shortcuts or compromises in the design and testing phases, which might affect the quality and effectiveness of the redesign. Conversely, a well-planned timeline that allows for thorough research, design, development, and testing can result in a more successful outcome, enhancing the site's performance and user satisfaction, which in turn can lead to a better return on investment.

When should you redesign your website?

Deciding to redesign a website hinges on recognizing key indicators that signal the need for change. An outdated design, poor website performance, rebranding efforts, changes in user behavior, security concerns, and scalability issues all suggest a redesign might be in order. For a deeper dive into when a website redesign becomes essential, consider reading our article on reasons to redesign a website. It will help you understand the critical indicators and strategic benefits of investing in a website redesign.

How much can a website redesign increase sales?

Concentrating on enhancing user experience, particularly for mobile users, and modernizing the visual display of products can significantly boost sales. The project undertaken by Adchitects for Seneca, a premium men's clothing brand from New York City, exemplifies how focused enhancements to an e-commerce site can result in significant improvements in conversion rates, and consequently, in sales.

The redesign of Seneca's Shopify store resulted in an astonishing 103% boost in conversion rates, effectively doubling the sales volume from the same amount of website traffic prior to the makeover. It's a remarkable outcome that demonstrates the power of a website redesign. It can help you enhance a site's aesthetics and navigability, as well as significantly increase the likelihood of purchase by visitors.

How much does it cost to redesign a website?

Website redesign pricing can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousands, largely depending on the company chosen for the project. At the lower end of the spectrum, smaller agencies or freelance designers might offer basic redesign services that focus on superficial aesthetic improvements and minor usability enhancements. Such budget-friendly options are often suitable for small businesses or individuals with simple websites that require minimal functionality updates and content revisions.

On the other hand, engaging a more established digital agency for a comprehensive website redesign can significantly increase the investment. Such agencies bring a team of specialists to the table, including designers, developers, content strategists, search engine optimization experts, and project managers, all working collaboratively to deliver a highly customized, sophisticated website. It's a full-service approach that covers in-depth research, brand alignment, advanced functionality, responsive design, optimization for search engines, and content creation, ensuring the redesigned website not only looks modern, but also performs optimally across all metrics.

Ultimately, the decision on how much to spend on a website redesign should be informed by the value the website brings to the business and the return on investment it is expected to deliver. Investing in a quality redesign can significantly impact online presence, brand perception, and business performance, making it a strategic investment rather than a mere expense.

Remember, the cheapest is not always the best.

Opting for the cheapest website redesign option is not always the best decision. While it may be tempting to minimize upfront costs, a lower price tag can often mean compromises in quality, functionality, and long-term website performance. A cheaper redesign might not fully address usability issues, could lack optimization for search engines, or might not be scalable as the business grows. Additionally, insufficient investment in crucial aspects like copywriting and maintenance can lead to a website that fails to attract or retain the target audience, ultimately affecting the site's purpose and business goals.

On the other hand, investing adequately in a website redesign ensures a balance between cost and value, providing a robust, scalable, and user-friendly website that supports a business's strategic objectives.

Is investing in website development services worth it?

Investing in web design is often worth it for businesses aiming to establish a strong online presence, enhance user engagement, and drive growth. A professionally developed website acts as a critical touchpoint for engaging with potential and existing customers, effectively conveying a brand's message and values. Moreover, in a digital-first world, a company's website is a pivotal tool for operational success, serving not just as a digital marketing platform but also as a hub for sales, customer service, and brand differentiation. With that in mind, spending money on website development services should be viewed a strategic undertaking that can lead to increased visibility, improved customer interactions, and ultimately, a significant return on investment through higher conversion rates and customer retention.

How long should a website redesign take?

The timeline for a website redesign can vary significantly depending on the project's scope, complexity, and the specific goals of the business. Generally, a website redesign can take anywhere from a few weeks for small, straightforward projects to several months or even longer for more extensive, feature-rich websites. It's important to set realistic timelines and expectations from the outset, keeping in mind that quality and attention to detail should not be sacrificed for speed.

One crucial aspect to consider is that a website redesign does not have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. It's entirely feasible to approach the redesign in phases, prioritizing critical areas first and then gradually implementing other changes over time. Such a phased approach allows for immediate improvements in user experience and functionality, without waiting for the entire project to be completed. It can also help in managing resources more effectively, spreading out costs, and minimizing disruption to the existing site's operation.

Website redesign strategy

A successful website redesign strategy involves careful planning and a clear understanding of the goals and objectives the redesign aims to achieve. Whether the aim is to improve user experience, enhance the site's mobile responsiveness, boost conversion rates, or update the site's aesthetics to reflect a rebranded image, each objective should inform the redesign process from start to finish. Prioritizing can help in allocating resources effectively, ensuring that the most critical aspects of the redesign are addressed first. Additionally, analyzing current site performance metrics provides valuable insights into areas that require improvement, guiding the strategic direction of the redesign.

For businesses focusing specifically on e-commerce platforms, the redesign strategy should emphasize optimizing the customer journey, from browsing and selection to checkout and post-purchase follow-up. Considering the unique challenges and opportunities presented by e-commerce, including cart abandonment rates and the need for secure payment gateways, a targeted approach can significantly enhance the overall shopping experience. If you're at the beginning stages of planning an e-commerce site overhaul and wondering about the best approach, make sure to take a look at our article on where to start an e-commerce redesign.

Website redesign process

The website redesign process is a comprehensive endeavor that involves several critical steps, each contributing to the overall success and effectiveness of the new site. It typically begins with a thorough assessment of the current website to identify its strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Following such an assessment, clear goals and objectives for the redesign are established, focusing on what the new website aims to achieve in terms of user experience, functionality, and business outcomes.

Next, the planning phase involves creating a detailed project plan that outlines the scope of the redesign, key milestones, and timelines. It serves as a roadmap for the project, ensuring all team members are aligned and aware of their responsibilities. The design phase follows, where new layouts, color schemes, and user interface elements are developed. This phase often includes creating prototypes or mockups to visualize the new design and gather feedback.

The development phase is where the website's new design is turned into a functional site. This involves coding the front-end and back-end components, integrating new features, and ensuring the site is mobile-responsive and optimized for search engines. Testing is a crucial step before launch, involving checking the site for bugs, usability issues, and compatibility across different browsers and devices.

Finally, the launch phase marks the website's official go-live. However, the process doesn't end here. Continuous monitoring and optimization are essential for maintaining the site's performance and making necessary adjustments based on user feedback and analytics.

For businesses and teams embarking on a website redesign, having a checklist can be invaluable for ensuring nothing is overlooked. Our website redesign checklist provides a comprehensive guide to navigate through each step of the process, ensuring a smooth and successful redesign. It's a great resource for anyone looking to methodically approach their website overhaul, ensuring every critical aspect is considered and addressed.

Website redesigns aren't as scary as you might think!

A website redesign, while potentially daunting at first glance, is far from the intimidating project it may seem to be. With the right approach, clear objectives, and a step-by-step process, it can be an exciting opportunity to rejuvenate a brand's online presence, enhance user experience, and ultimately, drive business growth.

It's crucial to remember that a website is a dynamic entity, not a set-and-forget project. As such, continuous evaluation and updates are essential for keeping pace with evolving user expectations and technological advancements. Whether you're just starting to consider a redesign or you're in the midst of planning one, remember that the goal is to align the website more closely with specific business objectives and user needs.

If you're ready to undertake a website redesign but unsure where to start, Adchitects are here to guide you through every step of the process! Our team of experienced designers, developers, and project management specialists excels in creating bespoke websites that not only look great but also perform exceptionally. So, reach out to Adchitects today, and let's get started!