How Much Does a Website Cost in NZ? (2025 Price Guide)

If you have been shopping around for a new website in New Zealand, you have probably noticed something frustrating: nobody puts their prices online.

One agency quotes you $8,000. A freelancer quotes you $1,500. Then your mate’s cousin offers to do it for a box of beers. It’s confusing, right?

At Digital Presence, we believe in transparency. In this guide, we break down exactly what website design costs in NZ for 2025—from DIY builders to custom agencies—so you can decide what’s right for your business.

The short answer: What should you budget?

If you are looking for a ballpark figure, here is the current market rate for a standard small business website (5–10 pages) in New Zealand:

• DIY Website Builders (Wix/Squarespace): $30–$60 per month (plus your time).

• Freelance Web Designer: $1,500 – $4,000 upfront.

• Creative Digital Agency: $5,000 – $15,000+ upfront.

• Subscription Web Design (The modern way): $95 – $200 per month (no upfront cost).

The huge gap in pricing usually comes down to two things: Time (who does the work) and Ownership (do you pay once or pay monthly?).

Option 1: The DIY Route (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify) Cost: $30 - $60 per month + 40 hours of your life

Platforms like Wix or Squarespace are popular for a reason. They are accessible and look decent out of the box.

• Pros: Cheap monthly fee; you have total control.

• Cons: You are the designer, copywriter, and IT support. If the site breaks, you fix it.



• Hidden Costs: To remove their ads and get a custom domain, the price often jumps to $400+ per year. Plus, if you don’t know SEO, your site might look good but never be found on Google.

Option 2: The Freelancer Cost: $1,500 - $4,000 upfront

Hiring a local Kiwi freelancer is a solid middle ground. You get a professional eye and a custom build, usually on WordPress.

• Pros: Better design than DIY; personal relationship.

• Cons: Quality varies wildly. If your freelancer gets busy or leaves the industry, you might be left with a site you can't update.

• Hidden Costs: You will usually need to pay for your own hosting ($300/year), plugin licences ($100+/year), and an hourly rate for any future edits.

Option 3: The Full-Service Agency Cost: $5,000 - $15,000+ upfront

This is the traditional "gold standard." A team of strategists, designers, and developers build you a bespoke digital asset.

• Pros: Top-tier design; complex functionality; strong SEO strategy.

• Cons: The price tag. For a small trade business or local cafe, dropping $10k cash upfront hurts cash flow significantly.



• Hidden Costs: Support contracts. Many agencies charge $150+ per hour for updates once the site is live.

Option 4: The Subscription Model (What we do) Cost: $95 - $209 per month (No upfront cost)

This model is becoming the go-to for small businesses. Instead of a massive upfront invoice, you pay a flat monthly fee—just like your power or internet bill.

At Digital Presence, we built our entire agency around this model because we hated seeing small businesses get stung by huge agency fees.

Why smart businesses prefer subscription websites:

• Cash Flow Friendly: Keep your $5,000 in the bank for marketing or stock.

• All-Inclusive: Hosting, SSL security, and technical maintenance are included in the fee.

• Ongoing Support: Need to change a photo or update a price? We do it for you (up to 15 mins/month included).

• Google & AI Ready: We build on modern platforms optimised for search engines, so you aren't just paying for a digital paperweight.

Comparison: Upfront vs. Subscription