Services
Website design for NZ small businesses. Starter sites from $500, small business sites from $800 with Google Business Profile setup. Every site includes its own AI assistant. Plain English, no lock-in.
Your own AI website assistant
Every site I build includes its own assistant. You message it from your phone and it updates the site for you: photos, prices, opening hours, journal entries. It shows you every change before it goes live, and nothing publishes without your yes.
- Send a photo and it writes the caption and adds it to the gallery.
- Change prices, hours, or wording in plain English. No forms, no logins.
- Preview first, then one word to undo it if you change your mind.
Not sure how a simple site could look for your trade or business? Build a quick sample layout, no sign-up.
Preview your siteStarter sites
A sharp one-pager, portfolio, or CV site for freelancers and professionals. Loads fast, looks great on phones, and says exactly what you need it to say.
Small business websites
A proper site for cafes, trades, childcare, retail, or any local business. Clear wording, contact details, and something you're proud to put on a business card. Built to load fast and look good on phones. Google Business Profile setup included so you show up on Maps and local search from day one.
Custom projects
Something that doesn't fit the boxes above? Bookings, integrations, or a specific tool you need. I'll talk it through and quote honestly.
After launch: staying online
These costs sit outside your build quote. They might go straight to providers, or I can bundle some of them into a simple monthly package for you. I'll recommend a setup that matches your budget before anything goes live.
Domain name
~$25 to $50 / yearYour .nz or .co.nz address, renewed yearly through a registrar. You own it. I'm happy to help you register it or point it at your site.
Hosting
~$5 / monthFor a typical brochure or small business site, expect hosting to sit around five dollars a month for something fast and reliable. Heavier traffic or extra features can cost more, and I'll size it to what you actually need.
Assistant credit
A few dollars / monthPrepaid credit that covers what the assistant actually uses. It tells you when the balance is low, and it stops making changes at zero, so there is never a surprise bill. The assistant itself is included with your build, not a separate subscription.
Business email
~$13 / user / monthEmail at your own domain, like hello@yourbusiness.co.nz. I handle setup, hook up the technical records, and can manage the ongoing subscription so you have one place to go when something needs sorting.
Straight answers
The questions people actually ask before they buy. No small print.
How much does a website cost in New Zealand?
A small business website in New Zealand typically costs between $800 and $3,000 for design and build. At Thrifty Kiwi, a starter or portfolio site starts from $500 and a full small business site from $800 (with Google Business Profile setup included). Ongoing costs like your domain (around $25 to $50 a year) and hosting (around $5 a month) are quoted separately so there are no surprises.
Does the AI assistant cost extra?
No. It is included with the site build, and there is no separate software subscription to buy. What it uses is metered as prepaid credit, usually a few dollars a month, and you can check the balance any time.
Do I need to be technical to use the assistant?
No. It works as a chat on your phone, the same as texting. You type or send a photo, it does the work, and it shows you the change before it goes live. If you can send a text message, you can use it.
How long does it take to build a website in New Zealand?
For a standard small business website, expect one to two weeks from signed-off design to launch. The timeline depends on how quickly content and feedback comes through. I keep you in the loop at every stage.
Should I use Squarespace or Wix, or get a custom website built?
If you enjoy tinkering, build it yourself. You will save the build fee, and you will learn a lot. What you pay instead is your time: an afternoon setting it up, every change after that, and a monthly fee that never stops. Most people who come to me have already done that maths. A one-off build is yours, it is faster, and nobody can put the rent up.
Do I need a Google Business Profile?
Yes, especially if you serve local customers. A verified Google Business Profile means you appear in Google Maps and in the local pack when someone searches for what you do nearby. It is one of the highest-impact things a small business can do online. I include Google Business Profile setup with every small business website I build.
What do I need before getting a website built?
Not much. You'll need a rough idea of what pages you want (home, services, contact is a common starting point), any photos or logo you already have, and an email address. I guide you through everything else, including wording, domain, and hosting, as part of the process.
Do I have to buy everything at once?
No. Plenty of people start with a website and add Google listing or email later. I can plan it in stages.
Do I own the site and the domain?
Yes. The domain is registered in your name (or your business). You get the codebase and can move hosting later if you want. Nobody's hiding anything behind proprietary tools you can't leave.
Can you register the domain and hosting for me?
I can set everything up and hand over the logins, or walk you through doing it yourself so the accounts stay clearly in your name.
What if I only want a one-page site?
Smaller scopes often land below the "from" prices above. Tell me what you need and I'll quote honestly.
Do you do online shops or booking systems?
It depends on complexity. Simple setups are possible. Heavy e-commerce or custom booking is scoped as custom work. Get in touch and I'll be straight about fit and cost.
Fixed price.
Everything in your name.
A fixed price first
I look at what the site has to do, then quote one number before anything starts. It does not move unless you ask for more.
You see it before it is built
A mockup comes first. We change it until it looks right. Nothing gets built that you have not seen and agreed to.
Everything is in your name
The domain, the files, the content, the Google listing. Yours from day one. If you ever want someone else, you take it and go.