The verdict in three sentences
A redesign is not an aesthetic whim: it triggers when your site is costing you customers rather than winning them. The five signals that matter in 2026 are broken mobile, slowness, falling SEO, a dated look and no HTTPS. Plan a budget of 400,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA and a 4 to 10 week timeline to target +25% conversion and +40% speed.
Patches or full redesign: the real math
Many Senegalese SMEs delay the decision by stacking fixes. Beyond three cumulative signals, patches cost more than a redesign, because each fix weakens the next.
| Approach | 2026 cost (FCFA) | Timeline | Lifespan | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-off patches | 50,000 - 150,000 | 2-5 days | 3-6 months | High, technical debt |
| Visual refresh | 200,000 - 400,000 | 1-2 weeks | 12-18 months | Medium |
| Full redesign | 400,000 - 1,200,000 | 4-10 weeks | 3-5 years | Low |
| Redesign + SEO migration | 600,000 - 1,500,000 | 6-12 weeks | 3-5 years | Low with 301 plan |
The 5 signals that trigger a redesign
| Signal | Measurable symptom | Business impact |
|---|---|---|
| Broken mobile | Unreadable menu, off-screen buttons | -50% useful mobile traffic |
| Slowness | Load > 4s on 3G | -1 conversion per +1s |
| Falling SEO | Lost rankings, organic traffic -30% | Fewer free leads |
| Dated look | Pre-2018 design, no visible HTTPS | Loss of trust |
| Not secure | No padlock, plain-text forms | Browser warning, leak |
As soon as two or three of these signals coexist, a redesign pays back within 12 months.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Awa runs a home decor shop in Dakar. Her old showcase site took 6 seconds to load and converted 1.2% of visitors. On 3,000 visits/month that was 36 enquiries. After a redesign at 750,000 FCFA (6-week timeline), speed dropped below 2 seconds and conversion rose to 1.7%, i.e. 51 enquiries/month. The 15 extra enquiries, at an average basket of 40,000 FCFA and a 30% close rate, add roughly 180,000 FCFA of extra revenue per month: the redesign pays for itself in a little over four months.
FAQ
When is a redesign really necessary? When at least two critical signals coexist (broken mobile + slowness, or falling SEO + dated look). Below that, a 200,000-400,000 FCFA refresh is often enough.
How long does a showcase-site redesign take? Between 4 and 10 weeks depending on the number of pages and how quickly your content is ready. The number-one cause of delay is the client delivering text and photos late.
Will I lose my Google ranking? Not if a migration plan with 301 redirects and URL mapping is in place. Without a plan, up to 90% of organic traffic is at risk; with one, recovery takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Does a redesign really improve sales? Yes, the observed order of magnitude is +25% conversion and +40% speed, which translates directly into extra inbound enquiries for an SME.
Can I keep my domain name and emails? Yes, the domain and email addresses are kept. Only the site is rebuilt; the switch happens overnight to avoid any visible downtime.
Let's talk about your project. We audit your five signals and tell you honestly whether a patch is enough or a redesign is due. 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.
