How to build a new website when you already have an old one

Many clients reach out to me saying they need to fix their website because something went wrong with their previous developer. 👨‍💻

I don’t mind fixing a client’s website — but when I open the code and see what was done before… sometimes I just want to pull my hair out. 💀

That’s why, when clients come to me wanting to update their website, I usually recommend one of three options:

• Build the entire website from scratch under my guidance, with clean and modern code.
• Rebuild the website step by step, while keeping the old version live until the new one is ready (I’ll explain why this is often the smartest choice later).
• Create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) — a simplified version of the new website with a fresh design and the most important features.

In my experience, the best option is number 2. This way, the client doesn’t lose users, and the new version of the website can go live much faster. ✅