# How to make a website in NZ: DIY or hire a web designer?

By Web Smart HQ · Published 2026-10-04

**Short answer:** Building a website yourself in NZ costs about $25 to $150 a month on a builder. It also takes 20 to 40 hours of your time. Over 3 years, a DIY 5-page site averages ~$1,800, against ~$3,800 for a freelancer (Auckland, ex GST, Oct 2026). DIY wins if your time is cheap and you enjoy it.

## Key takeaways

- DIY costs $25 to $150 a month ex GST, plus 20 to 40 hours to build (2026).
- Work out what those hours are worth at your own rate before you decide.
- AI can draft a site fast, but the facts, photos and Google setup are still on you.
- Whichever way you go, register the domain in your own name.

## Option 1: how do you build a website yourself?

To build a website yourself in NZ, register a domain, pick a builder, plan your pages, gather words and photos, build and test it on a phone, then set up Google. Plan on 20 to 40 hours for a first small business site. Domains ending in .nz are overseen by the [Domain Name Commission](https://dnc.org.nz/), and you register one through a registrar.

### How to make a website for your business in NZ

1. **Get a domain**: Register a .co.nz or .nz name with a registrar, in your own name. Keep the login somewhere safe.
2. **Choose a platform**: Wix, Squarespace, Rocketspark, WordPress or Shopify. See our [Wix vs Squarespace vs WordPress](https://websmarthq.com/guides/wix-vs-squarespace-vs-wordpress/) guide.
3. **Plan your pages**: Most small businesses need Home, Services, About and Contact. Add a gallery or a page per main service if you can.
4. **Gather words and photos**: Say what you do, where, and how to reach you. Real photos of your work beat stock photos.
5. **Build and check on a phone**: Most visitors will see it on a phone. Test every page and the contact form.
6. **Set up Google**: Create your Google Business Profile and connect Google Search Console. Both help people find you on Google.
7. **Ask for reviews**: Send every customer your review link. In our experience, reviews help you show in Google Maps.

## Option 2: what does hiring a web designer cost?

In Auckland, a freelancer charges about $800 + GST for a 1-page site. Auckland agencies typically quote about $1,800 (small agencies) to $4,000 (large agencies) + GST for a small site, from [our survey](https://websmarthq.com/guides/nz-website-prices/) of 25+ published NZ prices (Oct 2026). For 5 pages, freelancers average ~$1,400 and small agencies ~$3,400 + GST. The designer builds the site for you at an agreed price.

You still have a part to play. Expect to supply your logo, photos and business details, and give feedback on drafts. A good designer also handles SEO setup and your Google profile.

Before you sign, check who owns the domain, whether there's a lock-in, and what year two costs. Our [website cost guide](https://websmarthq.com/guides/website-cost-nz/) lists the red flags.

## Costs and time compared

Over 3 years, a 5-page DIY site averages ~$1,800 plus 20 to 40 hours of your time, against ~$3,800 for a freelancer and ~$9,100 for a small agency (Auckland, ex GST, Oct 2026).

### DIY vs paying someone (5-page site)

| Option | Upfront (ex GST) | 3-year cost (ex GST) | Your time |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DIY builder | $0 build, then $25 to $150 a month | ~$1,800 | 20 to 40 hours, plus updates |
| Freelancer | ~$1,400 | ~$3,800 | Supplying details, photos and feedback |
| Small agency | ~$3,400 | ~$9,100 | Supplying details, photos and feedback |
| Large agency | ~$7,000 | ~$17,000 | Meetings, approvals and feedback |

_Auckland averages, ex GST, from our [NZ website prices survey](https://websmarthq.com/guides/nz-website-prices/) (published prices Aug 2025 to Oct 2026). 3-year cost includes the usual set-up extras and hosting._

## What is your time worth?

If your time is worth more than about $50 to $100 an hour, paying someone to build your site is usually cheaper than DIY. DIY looks cheaper because your hours don't show on an invoice. They're still a cost. If you'd otherwise be billing a customer, every evening on the website is an evening of lost work.

### The hidden cost of a DIY build

| If your time is worth… | 20 hours | 40 hours |
| --- | --- | --- |
| $40 an hour | $800 | $1,600 |
| $80 an hour | $1,600 | $3,200 |
| $120 an hour | $2,400 | $4,800 |

_Our arithmetic. 20 to 40 hours is a typical first DIY build (2026). Updates come on top._

The gap between DIY and a freelancer over 3 years is about $2,000 (ex GST). Spread over 20 to 40 hours, that's $50 to $100 an hour. If your time is worth more than that, paying someone is usually cheaper.

## Can ChatGPT or AI build my website?

AI can build part of your website: AI builders make a draft site in minutes, and ChatGPT can draft your text. That's useful for getting started.

AI can't supply what makes a local site work. That's true facts about your business, real photos of your work, your reviews and a Google profile. It also gets details wrong with confidence. Google's [search quality rater guidelines](https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/guidelines.raterhub.com/en//searchqualityevaluatorguidelines.pdf) rate pages that are mostly AI with little added value as lowest quality.

Using AI to help write your site isn't illegal in NZ. But you're responsible for what it says. The [Fair Trading Act](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0121/latest/DLM96439.html) covers misleading claims, whoever wrote them. The [Commerce Commission](https://www.comcom.govt.nz/business/your-obligations-as-a-business/) explains what that means for businesses. This is general information, not legal advice.

## Which one suits you?

DIY suits you if you enjoy tinkering and have spare evenings. Hiring someone suits you if you're busy, your time is worth more than about $50 an hour, or you want SEO and Google setup done for you.

### A quick decision guide

| DIY suits you if… | Hiring someone suits you if… |
| --- | --- |
| You enjoy tinkering and have spare evenings | You're flat out with work or family |
| Your budget is under $500 for now | Your time is worth more than ~$50 an hour |
| You want to change things daily yourself | You want SEO and Google setup done for you |
| You're testing an idea before committing | You need it live by a set date |

## Where Web Smart HQ fits

Web Smart HQ sits between DIY and a freelancer on price: $499 + GST for a 1-page site (Business Lite) or $899 + GST for 5 pages (Business Plus). Business Plus is live within 10 working days of getting your content. Business Lite is usually quicker.

Your part is your logo, photos and details. Our part is the build, SEO setup and Google Business Profile setup. A year of hosting, domain and small updates is included. You see your homepage before you pay the balance, and there's no lock-in. See [small business websites](https://websmarthq.com/small-business-websites/) or our [prices](https://websmarthq.com/pricing/).

## Questions

### Can ChatGPT or AI build my business website? Is AI replacing web designers?

AI can draft a site and its text in minutes, which is handy for a start. It can't supply true facts about your business, real photos, reviews or a Google profile. It also makes confident mistakes. Google's rater guidelines rate pages that are mostly AI with little added value as lowest quality. AI is a useful tool, not a replacement for the work.

### Is it easy to build a website myself?

The tools are easier than ever, but it still takes time. Plan on 20 to 40 hours for a first small business site, plus updates. The building is the easy part. The harder parts are clear words, good photos and checking it on phones. Then there's your Google profile and Search Console. If you enjoy that, go for it.

### Is DIY or a designer cheaper over three years?

In cash, DIY is cheaper. A 5-page DIY site averages ~$1,800 over 3 years, against ~$3,800 for an Auckland freelancer (ex GST, Oct 2026). But DIY also takes 20 to 40 hours. Our sites are $499 + GST (1 page) or $899 + GST (5 pages). Year-one hosting and domain are included. After year one, hosting and your domain continue at a monthly rate we agree with you before renewal. No surprises: we remind you before anything renews.

### How do I make a website for my business in NZ?

Register a .co.nz or .nz domain in your own name ($20 to $60 a year, ex GST). Choose a platform, plan your pages and gather your words and photos. Build it, then test every page on a phone. Finally, set up your Google Business Profile and Search Console, and start asking customers for reviews.

### Is it legal to use AI-written content on my website?

Generally, yes. Using AI to help write your website isn't illegal in NZ. But you're responsible for what your site says. The Fair Trading Act covers misleading claims, whoever wrote them, so check every fact, price and promise. Be careful with AI images of "your work" too. This is general information, not legal advice.

### When should I hire someone instead?

Hire someone if you don't have 20 to 40 spare hours. It also makes sense if your time is worth more than about $50 an hour. Need the site live by a set date? Want SEO and Google setup done for you from the start? Those point to hiring too. If you enjoy building and want to tinker daily, DIY may suit you better.

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Source: https://websmarthq.com/guides/diy-website-vs-web-designer/
Web Smart HQ · Titirangi, Auckland 0604, New Zealand · hello@websmarthq.com · Business Lite $499 + GST, Business Plus $899 + GST