Domain and Website Setup for a New NZ Company: A Step-by-Step Guide
Registered your NZ company? Your domain name and website are the next priorities. This guide covers everything you need to get online quickly and professionally.
Step 1: Choose and Register Your Domain Name
Your domain name is your business address on the internet. In New Zealand, you have two main options:
- .co.nz - The standard NZ business domain. Managed by InternetNZ via accredited registrars. Costs around $25-45/year. Preferred by NZ customers for trust and local search ranking.
- .nz - Shorter, introduced in 2014. Growing in popularity for modern businesses.
- .com - Globally recognised. Best if you plan to trade internationally.
Register your domain immediately after company registration. Popular names are taken quickly. Use a registrar like Domains.co.nz, Crazy Domains, or GoDaddy.
Step 2: Set Up Business Email
A professional email address ([email protected]) is essential before you contact any suppliers or clients. Options:
- Google Workspace - $8-16 USD/month. Gmail interface with your domain.
- Microsoft 365 - $8-20 USD/month. Outlook with SharePoint and Teams.
- Zoho Mail - Free tier for up to 5 users. Good for sole traders starting out.
Step 3: Build Your Website
You do not need a complex website on day one. A professional one-page or three-page site is enough to establish credibility:
- WordPress + Hosting - Most flexible. Use SiteGround or Kinsta for NZ-friendly hosting. Ideal for content-heavy businesses.
- Squarespace - Fast setup, polished templates, good for service businesses and creatives.
- Wix - Easy drag-and-drop. Good for local businesses with a tight budget.
- Shopify - If you are selling products online, start here rather than retrofitting later.
Step 4: Register with Google Business Profile
Even if you work from home, a Google Business Profile is free and puts your business on Google Maps. This drives local search traffic with no website required initially.
Finding a Web Agency to Help
Many NZ web design agencies offer packages for new businesses. FreshFirms Connect can put you in touch with IT and web professionals in your region who work with new NZ companies every day.