You can get a professionally built small business website in New Zealand for under NZ$1,000. The cheap offers differ less in the build price than in what comes after: hosting, domain renewals, changes and who owns the website. Compare the three-year total, not the headline price.
What cheap websites cost in New Zealand
Here are some of the lowest published prices from New Zealand web designers in 2026. Each one includes different things, so read the notes before you compare.
| Provider | Cheapest offer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Better Site | NZ$199 one page; NZ$499 up to 7 pages | Business package includes one month of hosting and a .co.nz domain for a year |
| SiteGenius | NZ$499 one page; NZ$1,499 for 3–4 pages | One-off fee; hosting costs after launch not listed |
| The Cheap Websites | NZ$499.99 for 1–3 pages | One year of hosting included |
| WebRefresh | From NZ$499 for 5 pages | Including GST; you pay hosting and domain directly |
| PogoStick | NZ$599 website; NZ$1,099 online store | Hosting from around NZ$10 a month |
Prices as published on each provider’s website in 2026. Check GST: some include it, most don’t.
For comparison, a typical agency charges NZ$800 to NZ$2,000 for a one-page website and NZ$2,500 to NZ$6,000 for a small business website, before GST (Kiwi Web Design).
Why some websites cost so much less
- Templates instead of custom design. A good template, well set up, does the job for most small businesses.
- You supply the content. Copywriting and photography are often the most expensive part of a website.
- Fewer meetings. Clear packages mean less back-and-forth, which is time the designer would otherwise charge for.
- The money is made later. Some cheap offers make their profit from monthly hosting and maintenance plans. That’s not wrong, but you need to know.
The questions that separate a good deal from a bad one
- What will I pay in total over three years, including hosting, domain and maintenance?
- Is GST included in the price?
- Is the domain registered in my business’s name?
- Can I move my website to another host if I leave?
- How many rounds of changes are included?
- What does a small change cost after launch?
- Does it include basic SEO: page titles, descriptions, a sitemap?
- Is there a warranty if something doesn’t work after launch?
Warning signs
- No price until you book a call.
- A monthly fee with a minimum contract of 12 or 24 months.
- The domain registered in the designer’s name, with no way to transfer it.
- A website you can’t edit yourself, so every change costs extra.
- Promises of first place on Google.
When cheap is the right choice
For sole traders and small businesses that mostly need people to find them and get in touch, an affordable, well-built website is usually all you need. Spend the difference on good photos, or on your Google reviews.
If you need custom features, integrations with other software or a large online store, a cheap package won’t cover it, and that’s when an agency earns its price.
How Upfront Sites compares
Our prices are published, fixed and in NZ dollars with no GST added. Every website includes your .nz domain, hosting and basic SEO for the first year, and from year two the care plan is one yearly payment you can cancel any time. The domain is yours, and if you leave we hand your website over.
Compare our three websites side by side, prices and all.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to get a website in NZ?
Building it yourself with a website builder is cheapest in dollars, but you pay with your time and a monthly plan. A fixed-price package from a web designer is usually the cheapest way to get a website built for you.
Are cheap websites bad for SEO?
Not necessarily. What matters for Google is a fast website, clear pages, good titles and descriptions, and real content. Many cheap websites have all of these; some don’t, so ask.
Do cheap websites include hosting?
Some include the first year or a month; others charge hosting separately from day one. Always ask what you’ll pay from year two.
