In the fast-paced digital landscape of London, a company's website often serves as its first impression. Yet many local businesses still operate with outdated, clunky, or non-mobile-friendly websites that turn away potential customers. If you're a web design or digital agency looking to pitch a web redesign to these businesses, it's essential to craft a compelling case that highlights ROI, user experience, and modern aesthetics.
Why a Web Redesign is Essential for London Businesses
1. Competitive Advantage in a Saturated Market
London is home to a massive variety of businesses competing for attention. A modern, responsive website can differentiate a business from local competitors and international giants alike.
2. User Expectations Have Evolved
Users now expect fast load times, mobile optimisation, and sleek design. Outdated websites fail to meet these standards, leading to high bounce rates and lost conversions.
3. SEO Performance Depends on Technical Health
Old websites often suffer from poor site structure, slow loading speeds, and outdated code — all of which negatively impact SEO. A redesign can drastically improve visibility in local searches like "Web Designers near me" or “best coffee shop in Shoreditch.”
Research Before Reaching Out
1. Know the Business Inside Out
Before you make contact, thoroughly research the company. Understand their brand, target audience, current website flaws, and their competitors.
2. Audit the Current Website
Prepare a detailed audit covering design, UX, loading times, mobile responsiveness, SEO issues, and accessibility. Use tools like PageSpeed Insights, GTMetrix, and Screaming Frog.
3. Localise Your Pitch
London businesses value local expertise. Mention neighbourhood-specific concerns or trends (e.g., mobile traffic trends in Camden or increased online competition in Hackney).
Crafting the Perfect Pitch
1. Start with a Problem-Solution Approach
Begin your pitch by outlining problems with their current site — e.g., outdated visuals, slow speeds, or lack of mobile responsiveness — and propose a clear solution.
Example:
"Your website takes over 6 seconds to load, which leads to a 53% drop in potential leads. With a redesign, we can cut this to under 2 seconds and increase engagement."
2. Showcase Relevant Case Studies
Share before-and-after examples from similar London clients. Highlight metrics such as improved bounce rates, lead generation, or search rankings.
3. Focus on ROI, Not Just Design
Business owners want tangible benefits. Frame your proposal around outcomes:
More website inquiries
Better Google rankings
Improved customer trust
Increased conversion rates
Positioning Yourself as the Local Expert
1. Leverage “Web Designers Near Me”
Optimise your own content and pitch documents with location-based keywords. Business owners often search “Web Designers near me” — and they’ll appreciate seeing that you understand local SEO.
2. Highlight Your London-Based Clients
Include testimonials or references from businesses in areas like Soho, Shoreditch, or Notting Hill to build credibility.
3. Offer a Free Local Workshop or Consultation
Run a free workshop or one-on-one consultation for businesses in your area. This adds value and opens doors without a hard sell.
Pricing and Packaging Your Services
1. Provide Tiered Packages
Offer three clear pricing tiers:
Basic Refresh (updating design elements and speed)
Full Redesign (UX overhaul, mobile optimisation, SEO tune-up)
Premium (including content, branding, and ongoing maintenance)
2. Explain the Value, Not Just the Cost
Avoid justifying the price by hours worked. Instead, highlight the long-term benefits:
“This £2,500 redesign is an investment that could yield 5–10x returns in the first year alone through improved leads and sales.”
Handling Objections
1. “We Don’t Have the Budget Right Now”
Offer phased payments, financing options, or a smaller starter package that addresses the most urgent issues.
2. “Our Current Website Works Fine”
Use data to challenge this:
Bounce rate is over 70%
40% of users are on mobile, but the site isn’t responsive
Customers can’t find what they need easily
3. “We’re Too Busy”
Stress that your team will handle everything with minimal input required from their side, streamlining the process.
Following Up the Right Way
1. Recap and Remind
Send a follow-up email with a summary of the key problems, benefits of redesign, and a reminder of the offer or consultation.
2. Create a Sense of Urgency
Tie the redesign to a specific event like a product launch, seasonal promotion, or a Google algorithm update.
3. Keep Providing Value
Send occasional insights, design tips, or a competitor’s site analysis to stay top-of-mind without being pushy.
Final Thoughts: Designing for London, Pitching with Purpose
Pitching a web redesign to London businesses isn’t just about pushing pretty designs — it’s about aligning digital solutions with business goals. By doing your research, tailoring your pitch, and positioning yourself as a local web design expert, you can turn cold leads into lasting partnerships.
When a business searches for “Web Designers near me”, make sure your pitch — and your own web presence — stand out.
