The verdict in three sentences
A facelift (4,000-7,000 EUR net) refreshes the look without touching the architecture; a full redesign (12,000-28,000 EUR net) rethinks journeys, content and SEO. For a consulting firm launching a new service, a redesign is justified once the current site converts poorly or is no longer indexed. The tipping point: if you need to rework more than half your pages, a redesign costs less than patching.
Facelift or redesign: the 2026 numbers
A facelift keeps the structure and changes the skin. A redesign rebuilds the foundations: new journey, new CMS, new content strategy. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a London firm of 10 to 50 consultants.
| Criterion | Facelift | Full redesign |
|---|---|---|
| Budget (net) | 4,000-7,000 EUR | 12,000-28,000 EUR |
| Timeline | 3-4 weeks | 6-10 weeks |
| New CMS | No | Yes |
| Journey & UX rework | Partial | Complete |
| SEO strategy | Basic | In-depth |
| Form conversion gain (estimate) | +8 to +15 % | +25 to +40 % |
| Lifespan | 1-2 years | 4-5 years |
| Annual maintenance | 1,200-2,000 EUR | 1,800-3,600 EUR |
Where a premium redesign budget goes
A serious quote breaks the amount down by line item. Beware all-in proposals with no detail: they usually hide rushed content or absent SEO. Indicative split for an 18,000 EUR net redesign.
| Line item | Share | Indicative amount (net) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strategy & UX | 20 % | 3,600 EUR | Workshops, sitemap, wireframes |
| UI design | 18 % | 3,240 EUR | Mockups, design system |
| Development | 32 % | 5,760 EUR | Integration, CMS, responsive |
| Content & copywriting | 15 % | 2,700 EUR | Copy, case studies, photos |
| Technical SEO | 10 % | 1,800 EUR | Redirects, schema, performance |
| QA & go-live | 5 % | 900 EUR | Testing, training, deployment |
Add EU/UK hosting (40-120 EUR/month depending on traffic) and annual maintenance.
Mini case study
Philip, managing partner of a strategy consulting firm in London (24 consultants), is launching an ESG offering. His 2019 site generates 12 qualified enquiries a month at a 1.8 % form conversion rate. He invests 19,000 EUR net in a redesign. After 3 months the rate reaches 2.5 % (+39 %), roughly 17 enquiries a month. If an average engagement is worth 45,000 EUR and he closes one extra per quarter thanks to the added flow, payback lands in under 5 months.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
How long does a premium redesign take in 2026?
Allow 6 to 10 weeks for a consulting firm: 2 weeks of scoping, 3-4 of design and development, 1-2 of content, 1 of QA. Delays almost always come from client-side content approval.
Is a facelift enough if my site dates from 2020?
If the architecture holds and SEO works, yes: a 5,000 EUR facelift may suffice. If the site converts poorly or is not mobile-first, a redesign pays off better over time.
Does a consulting firm need a CMS?
Yes, a headless CMS lets you publish articles and case studies without a developer. It is essential for a content-led SEO strategy, which drives 60 to 70 % of a firm's qualified traffic.
What maintenance budget should I plan after go-live?
Between 1,800 and 3,600 EUR a year for security updates, backups and small changes, plus hosting (40-120 EUR/month).
Does a redesign really improve rankings?
Yes, if it includes 301 redirects, Core Web Vitals optimisation and structured content. A poorly prepared migration can instead drop traffic by 20 to 40 %: the redirect plan is non-negotiable.
Let's scope your project. Redesign or facelift, firm of 10 to 50 consultants, indicative budget 12,000-28,000 EUR net, go-live within 6 to 10 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
