Do you only build websites, or other software too?

Both. Most of my work is websites that bring in calls, enquiries and bookings, but I also build internal tools, customer portals, booking systems and small MVPs. If you're not sure what you need, just describe the problem and I'll tell you straight.

Is an AI-assisted build as good as a fully hand-coded one?

It's the same HTML, CSS and JavaScript at the end of it. AI just helps me move through the repetitive parts faster. The design choices, the quality bar and the testing are still mine. You see the live prototype before paying anything, so you can judge it yourself.

How does the free prototype actually work?

You tell me what you need, I build a real working version of it, then send you the link. You click around it on your own device. If it's right, we go ahead. If it's not, you walk. No invoice, no awkward follow-up call.

Do I own the code, content and domain?

Yes, all of it. Code, copy, images, domain and hosting sit in your name and your accounts. No proprietary CMS, no lock-in. If you ever want to take it elsewhere, you can.

What about hosting and ongoing costs?

Hosting usually runs $0 to $20 a month depending on the setup. I get it running in your own account so you own the bill. No mandatory retainer, no monthly 'website care plan'.

Why is this cheaper than an agency, what's the catch?

No account managers, no resold design hours, no template marketplace markup. Just me, using modern tools to handle the slow bits. You only pay once you've seen the prototype work.

How long does it take?

A standard small business site is usually 1 to 2 weeks from brief to live. Custom tools and software depend on scope, but I'll give you a realistic range up front, not a vague 'a few weeks'.

Will it actually show up on Google?

Yes. Sites are built with proper structure, fast load times and on-page SEO sorted from day one. A few of the sites in the work section currently sit at #1 in NZ for their main search terms. No magic, just doing the basics properly.

Can you fix or rebuild a site I already have?

Often, yes. Send me the URL and I'll have a quick look and tell you whether it's worth patching or starting fresh. Honest answer either way.

Where are you based, and do you only work with Wellington businesses?

Based in Wellington, but I work with businesses all over New Zealand. Most of it happens over email, phone and short calls, so location doesn't really matter.

Ben Mather Digital — Wellington, NZ

Is your website bringing in work?

Affordable website design & software for NZ small businesses

Websites and smart tools for New Zealand businesses. Built to bring in work, not just sit there looking nice.

Portfolio

Examples of my work.

Scroll for more →

#1Google · "grip socks nz"

Pyranha

NZ's #1 grip sock brand, ecommerce built for athletes.

pyranha.co.nz WooCommerce / WordPress

Mediasol website by Ben Mather Digital — Video agency with portfolio and custom quote tool. — desktop

SEO coming soon

Mediasol

Video agency with portfolio and custom quote tool.

www.mediasol.co.nz Built with AI · Custom

FiveFortyFive website by Ben Mather Digital — Luxury watches. Editorial product pages. — desktop

#1Google · "luxury watches nz"

FiveFortyFive

Luxury watches. Editorial product pages.

fivefortyfive.nz Shopify

Palazzo Motor Lodge website by Ben Mather Digital — AI-built accommodation site, bespoke design, fast to ship. — desktop

#1Google · "Accommodation Nelson"

Palazzo Motor Lodge

AI-built accommodation site, bespoke design, fast to ship.

www.palazzomotorlodge.co.nz Built with AI · Custom

#1Google · "Virtual Golf Wellington"

Birdies x Brews

Virtual golf venue, bookings, vibe, brand.

www.birdiesxbrews.co.nz Squarespace

Classic Cabins website by Ben Mather Digital — South Island cabin hire, built for bookings, not browsing. — desktop

#1Google · "Nelson Cabin Hire"

Classic Cabins

South Island cabin hire, built for bookings, not browsing.

www.classiccabins.co.nz Squarespace

Waikawa Beach Association website by Ben Mather Digital — Bespoke custom build with custom CMS. — desktop

#1Google · "Waikawa Beach"

Waikawa Beach Association

Bespoke custom build with custom CMS.

www.waikawabeach.org.nz Built with AI · Custom

Bello website by Ben Mather Digital — Luxury gifts ecommerce, refined cart-to-checkout. — desktop

#1Google · "Designer Homeware"

Bello

Luxury gifts ecommerce, refined cart-to-checkout.

bello.co.nz Shopify

Gilmer Apartment Hotel website by Ben Mather Digital — Boutique Wellington accommodation, clean, photo-led. — desktop

#3Google · "boutique wellington apartment accommodation"

Gilmer Apartment Hotel

Boutique Wellington accommodation, clean, photo-led.

gilmer.co.nz Squarespace

Why this works

Built to get results.

Tell me what you need

A new site, a redesign or just a fresh idea, flick it through.
Get a price

A real number within 24 hours, no waffle.
I build a working version

See the real thing before you pay.
Review and refine

Tell me what you want changed, I'll tweak until it's right.
Go live

Ready for customers, indexed by Google.
Ongoing help

Edits, hosting, SEO and new pages as you grow. Just flick me a message.

After launch

Launch is just the start.

Bring in traffic

Google Ads, landing pages and tracking the things that actually work.

Show up locally

Google Business Profile, local SEO and a system for getting reviews.

Keep it running

Hosting, performance and edits handled. No tickets.

Keep improving

Ongoing SEO, new pages, conversion improvements over time.

What I build

Services & specialties. Pick your kind of site.

Every project is custom, but a few things come up a lot. If one of these sounds like you, jump in.

Affordable website design NZ

Fixed price from around $1.5k. See it working before you pay.

Small business website NZ

Sites that actually bring in work, not just sit there.

Web designer Wellington

Local designer, meet over a coffee in town.

Web designer NZ

Working with businesses right across New Zealand.

Web designer Auckland

Remote-friendly, same fixed-price approach.

Squarespace designer NZ

Squarespace done properly for small NZ businesses.

Website redesign NZ

Old site that's slow or ugly? Send me the URL.

Websites for NZ accommodation

Direct-booking sites for motels, cabins and lodges.

Websites for NZ tradies

Get found for your trade in your suburb.

Websites for NZ builders

Portfolio-led sites that turn browsers into leads.

Websites for NZ electricians

Local search, click-to-call, quotes on a phone.

Websites for NZ plumbers

Simple site, ranked for your area, phone rings.

Websites for NZ cafés

Hours, menu, map. Ranked in local search.

Websites for NZ restaurants

Bookings, menus, mobile-first hospitality sites.

Get a quote

A real price
in 24 hours.

A few quick questions first, then let's chat.

Most small business sites land between $2k and $8k.

01 / 8

Step 1 of 8, Project type

What are we building?

Pick everything you want, you can combine them.

Pick at least one option to continue.

Common questions

The questions I hear most. Answered straight.

The questions that come up most before someone signs off a website or a build. Here in plain English, before you even ask.

Wellington, NZ

Hey, I'm Ben.

I build websites and software for businesses around New Zealand. Most people I work with either don't have a proper site yet, or they've got one that doesn't do much. That's the bit I fix.

Reach me on 022 108 7121 or benmather2@gmail.com.