What Do You Actually Need?
At its core, every website needs three things:
A domain name
Your website address
(like yourbusiness.co.nz)
Web hosting
Where your website "lives" - files, images, and content stored on a server.
A website platform
What you use to create pages, layouts, and design.
Everything else,templates, themes, plugins, SEO tools - sits on top of these basics.
How to Start a Website From Scratch
If you're starting from nothing, the usual process looks like this:
Choose and register a domain name
Sign up for web hosting
Connect your domain to your hosting
Install a platform
(like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace)
Pick a template
Add your content
Configure basic settings
(mobile layout, security, backups, SEO basics)
None of these steps are impossible
But together, they can be time-consuming and frustrating for beginners.
Can You Start a Website for Free?
Technically, yes
but with trade-offs.
Free website builders often:
Force their branding onto your site
Limit features and customisation
Don't allow your own domain name
Aren't ideal for long-term business use
Fine for:
Testing ideas when you're starting out
Reality:
Most businesses quickly outgrow them
What Most Service Business Websites Actually Need
It's not about fancy features
It's about looking credible and being easy to contact.
Most businesses need:
Clean, professional design
First impressions matter
Custom domain
yourname.co.nz, not yourname.wixsite.com
Working contact form
So customers can actually reach you
AI SEO friendly
Built for searching in 2026
Fast loading speeds
People leave slow websites
Good hosting provider
Reliable, secure, and fast
The Technical Side Is Where It Gets Tricky
Domains, hosting, DNS, email, security, backups, updates, and performance all need to be configured properly and work together.
Even small mistakes can lead to:
Domain not connecting
DNS records misconfigured or pointing to the wrong server
Emails not working
Contact forms failing or messages going to spam
Site not displaying
Pages showing errors or broken layouts
Not in search results
Google can't find or index your pages properly
Security warnings
SSL certificate issues or "not secure" alerts
Things breaking
Site going down after updates or changes
This Is The Frustrating Part
Most people get stuck here, wasting time and resources trying to troubleshoot issues they don't fully understand.
It's confusing, time-consuming, and easy to get wrong - even when the website itself seems simple.
At This Point, Most People Realise Something
You can absolutely do all of this yourself.
But then you think...
"I just want the website live - not another system to learn."
That's where a fully managed website makes sense
Skip the learning curve. Get straight to having a working website.
A Simpler Way to Get Online
Rent a Website removes the setup entirely.
Instead of managing:
Buying & configuring domains
Setting up hosting accounts
Learning website builders
Choosing templates & themes
Managing updates & maintenance
Everything is handled:
Your domain included & connected
Website built professionally
Everything configured properly
Hosting & security managed
Updates handled automatically
You're not renting software
You're renting the finished service.
Two Ways to Start
Now you understand what's involved. Here are your options.
Do It Yourself
Learn, build, and manage everything yourself.
We Handle It
$99/month. Everything included. No setup required.
Skip the Technical Setup
Get a professional website without the headaches. Domain, hosting, design, and maintenance - all included.
Still Have Questions?
Explore these pages to understand your options for starting a website in New Zealand.
Does My Business Need a Website?
In 2026, many businesses are questioning whether a website still works. See our breakdown.
What we foundHow Rent a Website Works
Learn what Rent a Website is, what’s included, and how the simple 3 step process works from sign-up to launch.
Find InfoWebsite Rentals vs Wix
Thinking about DIY? Here we explain what’s involved in using platforms like Wix, and how rental websites compare.
Comparison Guide