What is the difference between a website refresh and redesign?

A website refresh updates the look and feel while keeping the core structure. It's faster (days vs months) and cheaper ($500-1,500 vs $5,000-25,000). A full redesign rebuilds everything from scratch, often with new functionality, navigation, and content strategy.

How much does a website refresh cost?

Website refresh services typically cost $500-2,000 for small business sites. At Boffo, a complete refresh costs $597 with 48-hour delivery. Full redesigns from agencies typically cost $5,000-25,000.

When should I get a website redesign instead of a refresh?

Choose a full redesign when your business model has fundamentally changed, you need complex functionality (ecommerce, booking systems, member portals), or your site architecture is broken. Choose a refresh when your content is fine but the design looks dated.

How long does a website refresh take?

A website refresh typically takes 1-2 weeks with most providers. Fast-turnaround services like Boffo deliver in 48 hours. A full redesign typically takes 2-6 months.

Guide

Website Refresh vs Full Redesign

You know your site needs work. But how much work?

By Bill Eisenhauer

Quick Answer

Most small businesses need a refresh, not a redesign. If your content and structure work but your site looks dated or loads slowly, a refresh fixes that in days. A full redesign is only necessary when your business has fundamentally changed or you need complex new functionality.

Website Refresh

Update the visual design, improve loading speed, and fix mobile issues — while keeping your existing content and structure.

New colors, fonts, and visual style
Faster loading and better mobile
Same pages and content

Timeline: Days to 2 weeks

Cost: $500-2,000

Full Redesign

Rebuild everything from scratch — new structure, new content strategy, new functionality. Start from a blank slate.

New site architecture and navigation
New content and copywriting
New features and functionality

Timeline: 2-6 months

Cost: $5,000-25,000+

How to Decide

Choose a Refresh if...

→ Your content is accurate but the design looks dated
→ Your site is slow or doesn't work well on mobile
→ You're embarrassed to share your website link
→ You need improvement now, not in 6 months
→ Your budget is under $2,000

Choose a Redesign if...

→ Your business model has fundamentally changed
→ You need ecommerce, booking systems, or member portals
→ Your site structure is confusing and needs rethinking
→ You're rebranding completely
→ You have budget and time for a 3-6 month project

The 80% Rule

About 80% of small business websites that "need a redesign" actually just need a refresh.

Here's why: most small business websites have the right content — they describe the services, show contact info, and explain the business. What's wrong is the presentation: dated design, slow loading, broken mobile experience.

A refresh fixes presentation problems. It takes your existing content and makes it look professional, load fast, and work on every device.

A redesign is for when the content itself is wrong — when you need different pages, different structure, or different functionality entirely.

Cost Comparison

DIY Refresh

Your time investment

Cost

$0 + 20-40 hrs

Timeline

Weeks-months

Best Value

Professional Refresh (Boffo)

Done in 48 hours

Cost

$597

Timeline

48 hours

Professional Refresh (typical agency)

Traditional web shop

Cost

$1,500-3,000

Timeline

2-4 weeks

Full Redesign (freelancer)

Independent contractor

Cost

$3,000-8,000

Timeline

1-3 months

Full Redesign (agency)

Full-service design firm

Cost

$10,000-50,000+

Timeline

3-6 months

Not Sure What You Need?

We'll look at your current site and tell you honestly: refresh, redesign, or leave it alone.

Get Your Free Audit

Free analysis. Honest recommendation.