The main ways to create a website for free in NZ — from DIY builders and free hosting to done-for-you options. Compare the real costs, trade-offs and limitations before you choose.
Yes. It is possible to create and publish a website without paying a website design or build fee, but "free" can mean different things. Some platforms let you build a website yourself on a free plan, usually with limitations such as platform branding or a non-custom web address. Another option is a done-for-you service such as ArrowSite, which can design and build eligible small-business websites for $0 when there is enough existing business content to work from, with Website Hosting charged separately at $40/month.
A website has several separate costs, and not all of them have to be free for the overall experience to feel "free" to the customer:
The key distinction is this: a website can have a free build without having free hosting. A platform may offer free hosting but require the customer to build the website themselves or use a platform-branded address. Understanding which parts are free and which are not is the most important step in comparing "free website" options.
Yes, a basic website can sometimes be created and hosted without paying anything, particularly if you are willing to use a free platform, build the website yourself, and accept restrictions such as platform branding or a non-custom domain. A professional business website using your own domain usually involves at least some ongoing cost, such as domain registration, hosting or a managed website service.
There are several broad approaches. Each suits a different type of user and budget.
Platforms such as Wix or WordPress.com offer free plans where you build the site yourself.
Advantages
Trade-offs
Build a static HTML/CSS site and host it for free. Connect a purchased domain where supported.
Advantages
Trade-offs
Facebook, Instagram or Google Business Profile create a free online presence.
Advantages
Trade-offs
A service like ArrowSite designs and builds eligible websites for $0 using your existing content, with hosting charged separately.
Advantages
Trade-offs
Plans and features of third-party platforms change, so check the provider's current terms before choosing a platform.
| Option | Build it yourself? | Build cost | Hosting | Own domain? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free DIY builder | Yes | Often $0 | Free plan may be available | Often requires paid plan | DIY users |
| Free static hosting | Yes | $0 if self-built | Can be free | Yes, domain purchased separately | Technical users |
| Social profile | No traditional website | $0 | N/A | No standalone domain | Very early online presence |
| ArrowSite Free Website | No | $0 if eligible | $40/month | Yes, customer owns domain | NZ small businesses (done-for-you) |
The easiest option depends on whether you want to build the website yourself. If you are comfortable using templates and website software, a free DIY builder may be the simplest way to start. If you are a New Zealand small-business owner who wants someone else to build the website, a done-for-you option such as ArrowSite may be easier — provided you meet its Free Website eligibility criteria, which requires enough existing online business content to work from.
Whatever approach you choose, the practical sequence is broadly the same:
For many straightforward small businesses, a small number of core pages is enough:
A very small business may combine some of these into fewer pages, while businesses with several distinct services may benefit from separate service pages. Not every website needs exactly five pages.
Sometimes, but a custom domain is usually a separate cost even when the website build or hosting is free. Many free website-builder plans use a provider-branded web address (such as yourbusiness.wixsite.com) unless the customer upgrades, while other hosting options allow a purchased domain to be connected. With ArrowSite, the customer owns and pays for their own domain (for example yourbusiness.co.nz) and connects it to the ArrowSite website.
Yes. Some website builders and static-hosting services allow a basic website to be published for free using their infrastructure or web address. Using a custom business domain, removing platform branding or accessing additional features may involve cost depending on the provider. ArrowSite does not offer free hosting — eligible websites can be designed and built for $0, but going live requires the $40/month Website Hosting service.
Before committing, check the following:
Domain
Can you use your own domain?
Hosting
Is it permanently free or only free during a trial?
Branding
Will the provider's branding appear?
Functionality
Are contact forms or key features included?
Storage & bandwidth
Are there limits?
Support
Does anyone help if something goes wrong?
Future changes
Do you update it yourself or pay someone?
Portability
Can the site be moved elsewhere?
Advertising
Will platform advertising appear?
Commitment
Are there minimum terms once activated?
"Free" should describe a specific part of the service, not be treated as a substitute for reading what is and isn't included.
Not necessarily. A free DIY website may cost little in money but require substantial time. A professionally built website may have a higher upfront cost but require less owner involvement. A no-build-fee service may remove the upfront website cost while charging for hosting or management. Compare the total cost, time required, functionality and level of support rather than looking only at the initial price.
A free DIY website can be a good fit when:
A done-for-you service may make more sense when:
You may need a more advanced or custom website if you require:
The goal should not be to make the website free at all costs. It should be to choose the simplest solution that meets the business requirement.
ArrowSite is a New Zealand done-for-you website service for small businesses. If your business already has enough usable information and imagery online — through an existing website, Facebook page, Instagram profile or another approved source — ArrowSite can use that material to design and build your website for $0.
Send ArrowSite what you already have online
Website, Facebook, Instagram or another approved source.
ArrowSite checks eligibility
There must be enough useful content to work from.
ArrowSite builds the website
No design or build fee if eligible.
Review it
One revision round is included.
Decide whether to launch
If yes: $40/month Website Hosting, 12-month minimum.
Connect your own domain
You retain domain ownership.
With ArrowSite, "free website" means eligible customers pay $0 for the website design and build. It does not mean free Website Hosting. Customers who choose to launch pay $40/month for Website Hosting with a 12-month minimum. Eligibility depends on having enough existing online business content for ArrowSite to work from.
There is no hidden design or build fee, but the service has a defined scope and commercial model. You need enough existing online business content to qualify for the $0 build, and if you decide to launch the website, Website Hosting costs $40/month with a 12-month minimum. ArrowSite specialises in straightforward small-business brochure websites rather than ecommerce, large websites or complex custom functionality.
Not in the traditional DIY sense. A free website builder normally gives you software and templates so you can build the website yourself. ArrowSite is a done-for-you website service: if you qualify for the Free Website pathway, ArrowSite designs and builds the website for you at no build cost.
Yes. A website does not need to be expensive to appear in Google Search. Search visibility depends on factors such as whether the site can be crawled and indexed, the relevance and quality of its content, competition, authority and technical setup. Using a free website platform does not automatically prevent a website from appearing in search, although platform and technical limitations can affect what you are able to optimise. Having an ArrowSite does not by itself guarantee search rankings.
Yes. Whether a website looks professional depends more on its design, content, imagery, consistency and usability than simply what the website cost. DIY platforms place more responsibility on the user to create the finished result, while done-for-you services transfer more of that design responsibility to the provider.
If you already have useful business information online, ArrowSite may be able to build your new website free. Starting from scratch? We build those too — from $995.
Free Website: $0 design & build if eligible. No obligation to activate the preview. If you launch: $40/month Website Hosting, 12-month minimum.
New Website: From $995 + $40/month Website Hosting. 12-month minimum.
If you already have enough useful business information online, you may qualify for a $0 ArrowSite build. If you're starting from scratch, New Websites start from $995.
$0 design & build if eligible. No obligation to activate the preview. If you launch: $40/month Website Hosting, 12-month minimum.
New Website from $995 + $40/month Website Hosting. 12-month minimum.