How Much Should You Pay to Get a Website Designed in New Zealand?
If you’re considering investing in a new website for your business or personal brand, it’s important to understand the costs involved.
In New Zealand, website design prices can vary significantly depending on your goals, the functionality required, and the experience level of the designer or agency you choose.
Basic Website Design Costs
For a basic brochure-style website — usually 1 to 5 pages with standard features like a homepage, about page, contact form, and image gallery — you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,500. These sites are ideal for small businesses, tradespeople, or freelancers who simply need a digital presence. Many solo web designers or small agencies offer packages at this price point, often using platforms like WordPress or Wix.
Custom or Business Website Builds
For a more custom-designed website with advanced functionality — such as booking systems, interactive features, e-commerce capability, or customer portals — the cost increases. A typical small to medium business site with custom design, SEO setup, and mobile responsiveness might cost between $4,000 and $10,000. These projects usually involve discovery meetings, wireframes, content planning, and ongoing support.
E-Commerce Website Pricing
If you’re launching an online store, expect to pay more. A basic Shopify or WooCommerce store with product listings, shopping cart integration, and payment gateway setup generally starts at $5,000, and can range up to $15,000 or more for a fully customised solution. Factors such as the number of products, shipping logic, and integration with inventory or accounting systems will influence the final price.
Ongoing Costs
Aside from the initial design and development, don’t forget ongoing costs such as domain registration (around $30/year), web hosting (from $20–$100/month depending on traffic), and maintenance or support (often $100–$300/month). Some web designers offer monthly plans that bundle these services together.
Freelancer vs Agency
Hiring a freelancer may cost less upfront, with hourly rates typically ranging from $50–$120/hour, but you may need to manage project details yourself. An established agency may charge higher rates (often $120–$200/hour), but you’ll benefit from a team approach with project managers, designers, developers, and marketers collaborating to deliver a more refined end result.
What Influences Cost?
Several factors impact website pricing in New Zealand:
- Scope and complexity of the site
- Number of pages
- Custom vs template-based design
- Functionality (e.g. forms, e-commerce, bookings)
- Content creation (copywriting, images, video)
- SEO setup and analytics
- Level of design polish or branding involved
Conclusion
The right budget depends on your business goals. For simple visibility, a $2,000–$3,000 website might suffice. For brand building, lead generation, or selling online, investing $5,000–$10,000+ will often deliver better performance and ROI. Take time to compare portfolios, ask for clear proposals, and ensure the provider understands your objectives. A well-designed website is a long-term asset — and in the digital world, it’s often your first impression.
Over the last 12 years we have built over 500 websites, talk to the team at Chalk n Cheese today to get your website sorted info@chalkncheese.co.nz