The verdict in three sentences
Keep your foundation and run an incremental redesign as long as technical debt stays under 30 % of your annual web budget and LCP is near 3 s. Switch to a full replatform (8 to 14 weeks) when the CMS blocks performance, LCP structurally exceeds 3 s, or every change costs progressively more. A technical audit at EUR 800-2,000 settles it objectively in under a week.
Scored decision grid (2026)
Score 0 (favours redesign) to 2 (favours replatform) per criterion. Total score >= 8 of 12: replatform justified.
| Criterion | 0 pt | 1 pt | 2 pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current LCP | < 2.5 s | 2.5 to 3 s | > 3 s |
| Tech debt / annual budget | < 15 % | 15 to 30 % | > 30 % |
| Age of foundation | < 3 yrs | 3 to 5 yrs | > 5 yrs |
| Avg cost of a change | stable | rising | prohibitive |
| Mobile compatibility | good | average | poor |
| Security / updates | current | behind | blocked |
Costs and timelines for both paths
| Line item | Incremental redesign | Replatform |
|---|---|---|
| Technical audit | EUR 800 - 2,000 | EUR 800 - 2,000 |
| Main work | EUR 3,000 - 8,000 | EUR 9,000 - 20,000 |
| SEO migration (301) | partly included | EUR 1,500 - 4,000 |
| Timeline | 3 to 6 weeks | 8 to 14 weeks |
| SEO risk | low | controlled with 301 plan |
| Added lifespan | 18 to 36 months | 4 to 6 years |
SEO migration with exhaustive 301 redirects is the most critical replatform line: done poorly, it costs 20 to 40 % of traffic for 2 to 3 months.
Mini case study
Sofia, marketing director of a software vendor, is unsure. Her EUR 1,400 audit reveals a 3.6 s LCP, technical debt at 34 % of the annual budget, and a 6-year-old foundation: score 10/12. She opts for a EUR 14,500 replatform with a EUR 2,800 301 migration. Result in 4 months: LCP at 1.7 s, organic traffic preserved then +22 % over 6 months, and the average cost of a change cut threefold. The upfront audit spared her EUR 6,000 on an incremental redesign bound to fail.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
When is an incremental redesign enough?
When the foundation is healthy (under 3 years, LCP near 3 s, debt below 30 %). You then improve design, content and performance without a rebuild, for EUR 3,000 to 8,000.
Does a replatform lose SEO?
Not with a complete migration plan: exhaustive 301 redirects, keeping high-performing URLs, updated sitemap and structured data. This line (EUR 1,500-4,000) is never optional.
How much is the technical audit?
EUR 800 to 2,000 for 3 to 5 days of UX, technical, SEO and security analysis. It is the best investment to avoid spending in the wrong place.
How long does a replatform take?
8 to 14 weeks depending on page and content volume. Plan 1 to 2 weeks of QA and a post-migration SEO monitoring window.
Can I do both in sequence?
Yes: some firms first make urgent fixes (2 to 3 weeks) then schedule a replatform the following quarter, to smooth the budget.
Let's scope your project. Send us your URL and Core Web Vitals, and we will deliver a pre-diagnosis and an indicative budget between EUR 3,000 and 20,000 depending on the path. 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.
