Choosing a platform
Website builders in NZ: Rocketspark vs Squarespace vs WordPress vs custom
Can you build it yourself, or do you need a developer? A fair look at the four routes New Zealand businesses take, including when we would tell you not to hire us.
By Jonathan LeePublished 3 November 20267 min read
What is the best website builder for a small business in NZ?
For a hands-on owner on a tight budget, NZ-made Rocketspark is the most locally suited builder, from $49+GST a month with local support. Squarespace and Wix offer polished templates but bill in US dollars.
WordPress is the most flexible and the most maintenance. A custom build suits businesses that want the work done for them and the site focused on enquiries and bookings.
| Route | Typical cost | Who builds it | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocketspark | $49 to $150+GST a month | You | Low, handled by the platform | NZ owners building it themselves |
| Squarespace or Wix | Monthly plan, billed in USD | You | Low, handled by the platform | Design-led DIY sites |
| WordPress | Hosting, theme and plugins, plus build | You or a developer | High: weekly updates and security | Sites needing unusual features |
| Custom build (Wellness Websites) | From $1,495+GST, care from $67 a month | Us | Included in your care plan | Businesses that want enquiries without the admin |
Rocketspark: the NZ-made option
Rocketspark is built in Cambridge, Waikato, and priced in New Zealand dollars. Plans run $49, $59 and $150+GST a month with a 30-day free trial, and hosting and SSL are included.
It is a genuinely good choice if you enjoy doing it yourself. The standard plans are DIY, so design help is a separate cost.
Squarespace and Wix: polished international builders
Both offer attractive templates and drag-and-drop editing. Plans are billed in US dollars, so the NZ cost moves with the exchange rate, and support runs on overseas hours.
Check their current plans directly, as pricing changes often. Booking features exist but may not connect to the practice software you already use.
WordPress: flexible, but you own the upkeep
The software is free; the hosting, premium themes, plugins and maintenance are not. WordPress can do almost anything, which is why it suits sites with unusual requirements.
The trade-off is weekly updates and security monitoring, as automated bots target WordPress more than any other platform. Our article on moving away from WordPress explains why we stopped building on it.
When does a DIY builder start costing you clients?
Usually in three places: your time, your speed and your local search visibility. A realistic DIY build takes many evenings, and edits keep landing on your plate.
Template sites can also load slowly on phones and miss the local search groundwork that puts you in front of nearby clients. If one new client is worth hundreds of dollars a year, a few lost enquiries a month quickly outweighs the saving.
When should you hire a web designer instead?
Hire help when the website needs to bring in steady enquiries, when you want online booking connected properly, or when you would rather spend evenings with clients than templates.
Our builds start from $1,495+GST for solo practitioners and include the structure, booking connection and search groundwork. If you are just starting out with no budget, start on Rocketspark and come back when you outgrow it.
Quick answers
Questions people ask about this
Is Rocketspark good for a small business in NZ?
Yes, for owners happy to build and edit their own site. It is NZ-made, priced in NZ dollars from $49+GST a month and includes hosting.
Should I use Squarespace or Rocketspark?
Rocketspark offers local support and NZD pricing. Squarespace offers a wider template range but bills in US dollars. Both are DIY.
Is WordPress better than a website builder?
More flexible, but with far more upkeep. It suits complex sites with someone maintaining them weekly; builders suit simple DIY sites.
Still have a question about your own site? Ask us on a free call.
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