Table of Contents
Introduction
When done right, a website redesign can increase traffic, improve user experience, and boost sales. But when done wrong, it can lead to expensive website redesign mistakes like losing SEO rankings, poor navigation, or slow loading speeds.
At AshramTech, we’ve seen firsthand how businesses lose opportunities due to these mistakes. In this post, we’ll explore the top 5 website redesign mistakes and share real-world examples of how to avoid them.
1. Ignoring SEO During Website Redesign
The most costly website redesign mistake is neglecting SEO. Many businesses change URLs, remove content, or forget redirects — causing their rankings to drop.
Many businesses treat SEO as an afterthought when redesigning their websites. They change URLs, delete old pages, or ignore redirects — resulting in a massive drop in search rankings.
🔎 Example: A local eCommerce brand we worked with lost 40% of organic traffic after their redesign because their product URLs changed without proper redirects. We implemented 301 redirects, optimized metadata, and restructured the sitemap, helping them recover traffic within 3 months.
✅ Avoid this mistake:
- Audit your existing site before redesigning.
- Keep high-performing URLs intact.
- Set up 301 redirects for changed/deleted pages.
- Optimize on-page SEO (titles, meta descriptions, alt tags).
2. Over-Prioritizing Design and Forgetting UX
Yes, your website should look beautiful — but if users can’t find information easily, they will leave. Over-designing with flashy animations, pop-ups, or confusing navigation can hurt conversions.
A shiny new design won’t help if users can’t navigate your site. One of the most common website redesign mistakes is prioritizing looks over usability.
🔎 Example: A SaaS company had a visually stunning homepage, but their sign-up button was hidden below the fold. Conversion rates dropped by 25%. After repositioning the CTA prominently, conversions bounced back.
✅ Avoid this mistake:
- Use simple and intuitive navigation.
- Place CTAs (Call-to-Action) strategically.
- Follow mobile-first responsive design.
- Test design decisions with real users.
3. Deleting or Ignoring Old Content
Content is the backbone of your website. During a redesign, businesses often cut out blog posts, case studies, or product pages without considering SEO and customer value.
Deleting blogs, case studies, or service pages during a redesign is another critical website redesign mistake. Content drives organic traffic and builds trust.
🔎 Example: A consulting firm lost valuable leads because they removed old blog posts that were driving 60% of their organic traffic. Restoring those posts improved both traffic and credibility.
✅ Avoid this mistake:
- Use analytics to find top-performing content.
- Update old blogs instead of deleting them.
- Repurpose content into new formats (guides, videos).
4. Slow Loading Pages After Redesign
A redesigned site might look amazing but load painfully slow due to heavy graphics, animations, or unoptimized code. Page speed is both a Google ranking factor and a conversion driver.
🔎 Example: An eLearning (LMS) provider redesigned their portal with high-quality video backgrounds. The site took 7+ seconds to load, and bounce rates skyrocketed. After optimizing images and using a CDN, their load time dropped to 2 seconds — and enrollment sign-ups increased by 30%.
✅ Avoid this mistake:
- Compress media files.
- Use caching and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)..
- Test performance with tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix.
5. Forgetting Analytics & Tracking
The last big website redesign mistake is forgetting to reinstall analytics and tracking tools. Without data, you can’t measure success.
Redesigning without re-installing analytics (Google Analytics, Tag Manager, Heatmaps) means you can’t measure success. Without data, you won’t know whether your redesign improved conversions or hurt performance.
🔎 Example: A retail brand launched a redesigned website but forgot to integrate their Facebook Pixel and GA4 tracking. They missed out on weeks of valuable customer insights, making it impossible to optimize campaigns.
✅ Avoid this mistake:
- Reinstall Google Analytics & Search Console.
- Track conversions and user journeys.
- Use heatmaps for UX insights.
Conclusion
A website redesign is more than just a facelift — it’s an opportunity to improve user experience, strengthen SEO, and increase conversions. But if you ignore the fundamentals, you risk losing hard-earned traffic and revenue.
Avoiding these website redesign mistakes will protect your SEO, improve UX, and drive more conversions. Remember, a redesign isn’t just about looks — it’s about growth.
At AshramTech, we specialize in WordPress redesigns that balance creativity with performance. Whether you’re a startup, eCommerce brand, or service-based business, we’ll ensure your redesign helps you grow — not shrink.
👉 Ready to redesign your website without mistakes? Contact AshramTech today for a free consultation.
