If you’re thinking about getting a website for your business, organisation, or online store in 2025, you probably have one key question: How much will it cost?
How long is a piece of string? The truth is, website design costs in New Zealand vary a lot depending on what you need (what we call the “scope” of the project). Whether you’re a small business owner, a company, a non-profit organisation or running an e-commerce store, it’s important to understand what goes into website pricing and how it can be different for each business.
To help you budget, we’ve broken down the average costs for different types of websites and the ongoing maintenance expenses you should plan for. Let’s take a look.
Website Costs by Type
Small Business Websites
A small business website is usually a simple site with a few pages, showcasing your services, contact details, and maybe a blog.
- Design & Development: Expect to pay anywhere between $3,000 – $8,000 NZD.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Typically $600 – $1,200 per year for updates, security, and small changes.
👉 Ideal for: tradies, consultants, cafes, or local businesses looking for an online presence.
Corporate Websites
Corporate websites tend to be more complex, with multiple pages, interactive elements, and integrations with internal systems.
- Design & Development: These sites usually cost between $8,000 – $40,000 NZD.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Can range from $1,000 – $10,000 per year, depending on complexity.
👉 Perfect for larger companies that need a strong digital presence and custom functionality.
Organisation, Science & Non-Profit Websites
For community groups, charities, and non-profits, websites often include event calendars, donation portals, and membership features.
- Design & Development: Usually $4,000 – $50,000 NZD.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Around $600 – $3000 per year. This very much depends on the size and complexity of the website
👉 Best for organisations that need an easy way to connect with members and the public.
E-commerce Websites
Selling online? E-commerce sites require extra features like product listings, checkout systems, and secure payment processing.
- Design & Development: Can range from $6,000 – $50,000 NZD, depending on the number of products and features.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Expect to pay $2,000 – $15,000 per year for security updates, add-ons (such as support for subscriptions etc), backups, and support.
👉 Great for businesses selling products, whether it’s a small online store or a large-scale e-commerce platform.
Breakdown of Website Costs
Now that you’ve got an idea of overall costs, here’s a look at the different elements that contribute to the price of a website.
1. Wireframing & Design
Before building your site, web designers create wireframes (blueprints) and visual designs. This helps ensure the layout and user experience are well thought out before the build process starts.
💰 Cost: Included in the total design price. It will vary but can be quite a range depending on the number of pages that need to be mocked up, $500 – $5,000.
2. Custom Functionality & Integrations
Do you need booking forms, CRM integrations, or a members-only section? Custom features add to the cost.
💰 Cost: Can range from $1,000 – $15,000, depending on complexity.
3. Hosting & Domain Name
Every website needs hosting (where your site lives online) and a domain name (your web address).
💰 Costs:
- Hosting & Maintenance: $600 – $2500 per year
- Ecommerce hosting: $60-300 per month – if you are using Shopify or other ecommerce platforms there are often additional hosting costs required. Also many of these systems may require the use of add-on features (depending on your business needs) which will add to these costs.
- Domain name: Around $45 per year
4. SSL Certificate (Website Security)
An SSL certificate secures your website (essential for e-commerce and professional sites).
💰 Cost: Free – $250 per year (many hosting providers include it for free but sometimes you may require a paid certificate).
5. Maintenance & Support
Websites need regular updates, backups, and security patches to run smoothly. Many businesses also pay for ongoing support, content work or staff training.
💰 Cost: $50 – $300 per month, depending on how much support you need. Sometimes this is included in the hosting costs (our website hosting and care packages include maintenance).
6. Training for Website Management
If you or your team want to update the website yourselves, training might be required.
💰 Cost: Varies, but expect $200 – $1,000 for hands-on training.
It’s worth investing
While it might seem like a big investment, a well-designed and properly maintained website is one of the most valuable assets for your business. Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading an existing site, planning your budget upfront will help you avoid surprises.
Need help deciding what’s best for your website? Get quotes from multiple providers, ask about hidden fees, and choose a web designer who understands your goals.
Reach out to us if you would like to talk about your project
