The verdict in three sentences
For a B2B distributor, the choice between redesign and rebuild comes down to the state of the technical foundation, not the wish for a fresh look. A partial redesign at 4,000 to 9,000 GBP stays worthwhile while the CMS is supported and the catalogue still fits the current structure, whereas a rebuild at 8,000 to 35,000 GBP becomes unavoidable once technical debt (outdated PHP, abandoned theme, unmaintained plugins) blocks every change. Either way, budget 1,500 to 4,000 GBP for SEO migration so you keep the traffic you have earned.
What both options cost in 2026
The figures below are 2026 UK market estimates, excluding VAT, for an experienced agency or senior freelancer.
| Item | Partial redesign | Rebuild |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Brand refresh, 3 to 6 templates: 1,500 to 3,000 GBP | Full design, 8 to 15 templates: 2,500 to 9,000 GBP |
| Development | Changes on the existing CMS: 2,000 to 5,000 GBP | New platform, integrations: 4,500 to 20,000 GBP |
| Catalogue and product pages | Kept as is | Restructure, ERP or PIM import: 1,000 to 6,000 GBP |
| SEO migration | Limited redirects: 500 to 1,500 GBP | Full redirect plan: 1,500 to 4,000 GBP |
| Indicative total | 4,000 to 9,000 GBP | 8,000 to 35,000 GBP |
| Timeline | 4 to 8 weeks | 10 to 20 weeks |
| Expected lifespan | 2 to 3 years | 5 to 7 years |
The classic trap is comparing upfront costs only. A redesign on a fragile base often costs more over three years, because every security patch or new feature needs a workaround.
Spot the technical debt before deciding
Technical debt is anything that makes the site hard or risky to change. On distributor websites the same symptoms come up almost every time.
| Symptom | Concrete example | Hidden annual cost (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Unsupported PHP version | PHP 7.4, no security fixes since late 2022 | Hacking risk, host charging extended support: 300 to 1,000 GBP |
| Theme abandoned by its vendor | Last update in 2021 | Breakage at every CMS update: 1,000 to 2,500 GBP |
| Unmaintained plugins | Quote or catalogue module with no updates | Outages and emergency fixes: 500 to 2,000 GBP |
| Manually entered catalogue | Prices and stock copied from the ERP | 4 to 8 hours of rekeying per week |
| No proper mobile version | Part number tables unreadable on a phone | Lost quote requests, unmeasured |
| Slow site | Mobile LCP above 4 s | Lower conversion and visibility |
The five-criteria decision grid
Score each criterion from 1 (no issue) to 5 (blocking) and add them up. From 5 to 11 points, a partial redesign is enough. From 12 to 17, get both quotes and compare over three years. From 18 to 25, go for a rebuild.
| Criterion | 1 point | 3 points | 5 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical base (CMS, PHP, theme) | Current and supported | One version behind | Unsupported or abandoned |
| Catalogue fit | Structure fits | Frequent workarounds | Cannot add families or filters |
| Integrations (ERP, CRM, quotes) | Connected | Manual exports | None possible |
| Mobile experience and speed | Google thresholds met | Average | Poor on most pages |
| Business change | Stable | New ranges | New channel (trade portal, online ordering) |
Mini case study
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Tom, managing director of an industrial supplies distributor in Birmingham (illustrative persona), scores his site: base 5 (PHP 7.4, abandoned theme), catalogue 4, integrations 4, mobile 3, business change 4, so 20 out of 25. He compares over three years. Redesign option: 8,000 GBP, plus 3,000 GBP a year of fixes and extended support, plus 6 hours a week of rekeying at 30 GBP, 9,360 GBP a year: total 8,000 + 3 × 12,360 = 45,080 GBP. Rebuild connected to the ERP: 20,000 GBP plus 3,000 GBP of SEO migration, then 1,500 GBP a year of maintenance: total 23,000 + 4,500 = 27,500 GBP. The rebuild costs about 17,580 GBP less over three years, before counting extra quote requests.
FAQ
Does a redesign lose search rankings?
Not if every changed URL gets a one-to-one 301 redirect and useful content is kept. Without a redirect plan, a 20 to 50% drop in organic traffic for several months is common.
Can we keep the same CMS for a rebuild?
Yes, if the CMS is supported: you restart from a clean theme and a sound architecture. That often cuts the budget by 15 to 25% compared with a full technology change.
How long does a rebuild take?
Allow 10 to 20 weeks for a B2B distributor, including 2 to 4 weeks for the catalogue and integrations. SEO migration is planned from day one, not in launch week.
Should the site connect to the ERP?
It pays off from 4 hours of rekeying a week, about 6,000 GBP a year at 30 GBP an hour. A connector usually costs 2,000 to 6,000 GBP depending on the ERP.
What annual budget after launch?
Plan 1,000 to 3,000 GBP a year of maintenance for a distributor site, depending on update volume. That line stops technical debt from building up again within three years.
Let's scope your project. Send us your site URL and your grid score, and we will return redesign and rebuild quotes compared over three years, with a schedule and an SEO migration plan. 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.
