Services
Website design for NZ small businesses. Starter sites from $500. Small business sites from $800, Google Business Profile setup included. Plain English, no lock-in.
Starter 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. We'll talk it through and quote honestly.
After launch: staying online
These costs are separate from your build quote. They might go straight to providers, or we can bundle some of them into a simple monthly package for you. We'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. We're 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 we'll size it to what you actually need.
Business email
~$13 / user / monthEmail at your own domain, like hello@yourbusiness.co.nz. We 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
- 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.
- 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. We keep you in the loop at every stage.
- Should I use Squarespace or Wix, or get a custom website built?
- DIY platforms like Squarespace and Wix are fine for very simple needs, but they charge ongoing monthly fees (typically $25–$50/month NZD), limit what you can change, and can be hard to move away from. A custom-built site gives you faster load times, full ownership, no monthly platform fees, and a result that looks exactly how you want. For most NZ small businesses, a one-off custom build works out cheaper within two years.
- 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. We include Google Business Profile setup with every small business website we 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. We 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. We 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?
- We 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 us what you need and we'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 we'll be straight about fit and cost.
How it works
Chat
We have a no-pressure conversation about what you need: website, Google listing, email, or the lot. No jargon, no upselling, just plain English.
Design
We mock up your site and iterate until you love it. You're involved every step of the way.
Build
We bring the design to life with clean, fast code. Typically one to two weeks for a standard site.
Launch
We go live, connect your domain, and line up any extras we agreed on (like your Google listing or Workspace). Then we hand you the keys.