A Website Redesign Project Doesn’t Start With Fonts (It Starts With Listening)

by | Jan 21, 2026 | Websites

Most people come to me asking for a website redesign project because something feels off.

The site technically “works,” but it doesn’t feel right anymore.
It doesn’t sound like them.
It doesn’t reflect who they are now.

Recently, I worked on two homepage refreshes that couldn’t have been more different on the surface—a financial advisor and a local bookstore—but the heart of both projects was the same: clarity, trust, and connection.

Here’s what those website redesign projects actually looked like behind the scenes.

Website Redesign Project #1: A 401(k) Advisor Who Needed Clarity, Not Flash

This advisor came to me with a site that had grown a bit stale. I listened as he explained what had changed in his business since the last time. How his target market evolved, and how his focus shifted. The things he liked and didn’t like about his current site.

website redesign project before

The goal of this website redesign project was to make the site feel fresh and modern, building trust along the way.

What We Focused On

  • Updated pictures of him.
  • A fresh, modern look.
  • More breathing room—white space, pacing, and updated visuals.
  • Updated imagery and icons.

This was a refresh, not a full rebuild—but it completely changed how the site feels. Just a few well-planned color shifts, updated photos, and design upgrades made a huge difference. The site now mirrors the way he actually works with clients: steady, thoughtful, and clear.

That’s the quiet power of a well-done website redesign project.

website redesign project after

Website Redesign Project #2: A Beloved Bookstore That Needed Its Warmth Back

Bookstores are special places.
And this one already had something many businesses don’t have—deep community trust.

But their website didn’t reflect that at all.

The homepage felt clunky and disjointed with bright notifications all over the place.
And the magic of walking into the store wasn’t coming through on screen.

homepage redesign before

This website redesign project was all about bringing the human element forward.

What We Focused On

  • Reworking the homepage headlines to sound like real people, not search engines
  • Highlighting staff recommendations and personalities
  • Creating a warmer, more inviting first impression
  • Balancing local SEO with genuine charm and voice

The result is a homepage that feels like stepping into the store itself—welcoming, personal, and full of quiet confidence.

For a local business, a website redesign project isn’t about being flashy. It’s about making sure the right people feel at home when they land on your site.

What These Website Redesign Projects Had in Common

Even though the businesses were very different, both redesigns succeeded for the same reasons:

  • We didn’t start with design—we started with conversation
  • We focused on the homepage experience first
  • We respected what was already working instead of tearing everything down
  • We made the site easier to navigate, easier to read, and easier to trust

A good website redesign project doesn’t erase your history.
It refines it.

Thinking About Your Own Homepage Redesign Project?

If your homepage feels:

  • Outdated
  • Too complicated
  • Too salesy
  • Or just… not you anymore

That’s usually a sign it’s time for a refresh—not necessarily a full rebuild.

A thoughtful website redesign project can help your site grow with you, instead of holding you back.

If you’d like help figuring out what kind of redesign your site actually needs, I’m always happy to start with a conversation.

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