What if you don’t need a website redesign? A smarter, simpler, and more sustainable approach for nonprofits

When your website has been around for a few years, has grown haphazardly, and just doesn't work as well as it used to, it's logical to jump straight to: We need a full redesign.

Maybe you've been asked to get quotes or draft an RFP. Or you've Googled “How much does a website redesign cost?” and found results ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. Not exactly helpful when you just need a ballpark budget.

Maybe your site isn't even that old, but it's hard to update and your visitors can't find anything. You kinda want to throw it in the trash and start from scratch. But unfortunately, there's no budget or capacity for another big website redesign project.

On the other hand, you may have a budget a wish list, and plan to reach out to website design agencies for estimates. You'll find that they're happy to build you a new site if you have enough money. If all goes well, they'll deliver what you asked for and do a good job. But … what if you aren't asking the right questions? What if you didn't need a redesign at all?

If you have a solid foundation to build on, you may be able to implement strategic changes that will give you a better result with a lot less stress. So before you dive into a full website redesign project and all it entails, it's worth asking a different question:

Do we want to completely rebuild our website? Or do we want a clear roadmap and a plan to improve it in phases?

A full website redesign isn't always necessary

Website redesigns are not the problem. In fact, we love doing website redesigns for nonprofits. They are often the right approach when an organization has overhauled programs or purpose, undergoes a full rebranding, or outgrows their website platform. Sometimes a redesign is necessary when the site becomes unwieldy over a decade or two, and it's best to start fresh.

The problem is that sometimes a full redesign isn't necessary. It's like demolishing the entire house for a bathroom remodel or some electrical work.

Many nonprofits jump straight to “we need a new website” when what they really need is design, organizing, repairs, or renovations. Issues like confusing navigation, cluttered layouts, slow performance, or a pile-up of temporary fixes don't necessarily require a full teardown.

If your website's foundation is sound, your tools are still relevant, and your content is mostly solid but disorganized, a phased approach can be a smarter, more realistic path forward.

How the continuous improvement cycle applies to your website

Your website is a living part of your organization. It should grow alongside your programs, your audience, and your goals.

Instead of one big website redesign project every few years, a continuous improvement approach focuses on strategic updates made regularly. Smaller add-on projects—like accessibility fixes, design refinements, or new features—can be planned and prioritized over time. Over time, you're making steady progress without the stress and expense of starting over… again.

At Surelutions, we believe that a healthy website moves through four key stages:

Planning → Design & Development → Maintenance → Growth.

The interconnected stages work best as part of an ongoing cycle, not a checklist. You can start anywhere and move through each step at your own pace.

Why a phased approach to websites works for nonprofits

1. Flexible and predictable budgeting

A big redesign can take a heavy toll on your annual budget. Continuous improvements spread the costs across smaller, predictable phases. You make measurable progress without the giant invoice.

2. Faster implementation

Instead of waiting 6–9 months for a relaunch, updates happen in a much shorter time period. That means new programs, campaigns, or features can go live when you need them.

3. Keep what's working, fix what's not

By building on your strengths and existing foundation, you avoid unnecessary disruptions. You see significant improvements without disrupting staff, confusing visitors, or losing donor trust.

4. Stay aligned with your mission

Your website evolves as your organization does. Regular updates, new features, better functionality, and core messaging stay in sync with your programs and mission.

5. Progress without burnout

Big redesign projects can be stressful. A phased approach lets you make meaningful progress without exhausting your team or derailing daily work.

Focusing on progress and building momentum

A continuous improvement approach to websites focuses on steady, but flexible, guided progress. Here's how it often looks in practice:

  • Start with an audit or website roadmap to clarify goals, identify pain points, and spot quick wins.
  • Tackle straightforward fixes such as improving navigation, refreshing the home page, boosting performance, or cleaning up content.
  • Plan larger add-on projects as budget and priorities allow — like memberships, directories, third-party integrations, or sitewide design changes.
  • Meet regularly to review progress — schedule monthly website review meetings to collaborate and plan next steps.
  • Ongoing website maintenance to manage content updates and perform security updates to keep your site running smoothly.

Over time, you move through each stage and build momentum. Regular updates and new content also help keep your site visible in search results and relevant for the audiences you want to reach. Your website continues to evolve and avoids the disruption of a full rebuild.

You don't have to choose between a website redesign or staying stuck

You don't have to choose between a complete website redesign or staying stuck with what you have. A continuous improvement approach offers a third option where meaningful changes happen at a sustainable pace.

If your nonprofit is considering a major website overhaul, start by talking with a trusted website partner who understands nonprofit goals and constraints. Together, you can assess your current site, determine the best path forward, and develop a strategic roadmap that identifies what to fix, what to keep, and what to improve over time.

If you're not sure whether your organization needs a full website redesign or steady improvements, feel free to reach out. I'd be happy to work with you to sort out what makes the most sense for your goals, timeline, and budget.