Freelance web developer from New Zealand
I build fast, search-ready websites, landing pages and web tools for New Zealand businesses. You work with me directly, from the first chat to launch.
Tell me what you need and I'll reply with a plan and a fixed quote. jamesianrowles@gmail.com
Email meA New Zealander who builds websites, working with you directly
I'm James Ian Rowles, a freelance web developer from New Zealand with a Bachelor of Software Engineering. I grew up in Auckland, spent many years in Wellington and now work from Sydney, two hours behind New Zealand time, so the working day lines up.
I design and build websites for small businesses, sole traders, clubs and anyone starting something new. You deal with one person from the first chat to launch day: no account managers, no handovers, no offshore team behind the scenes.
Every site is built to be found. That means fast pages, clean structure, proper titles and descriptions, structured data and a sitemap, set up in Google Search Console before it goes live.
What I build
Small business websites
A clear, quick site that says what you do, where you work and how to reach you, written so customers and search engines both understand it.
- Home, services, about, contact
- Enquiry forms that reach your inbox
- Mobile first
Pages that turn visits into enquiries
One focused page for a product, a launch, an event or an ad campaign, with analytics so you can see what's working.
- Built around a single action
- Analytics and conversion tracking
- Fast to change
Calculators, forms and custom tools
Something interactive your customers can use: a quote calculator, a booking flow, an internal tool. This site's 16 free NZ calculators are an example.
- See the free tools
- Runs in the browser
- No sign-up needed
How it works
Chat
Email me what you have in mind. We talk through who the site is for and what it needs to do.
Plan & quote
You get a short written plan: the pages, the features, the timeline and a fixed price.
Build
I build it and share a live preview link as I go, so you can check it on your own phone.
Launch
It goes live on your domain, set up in Google Search Console with a sitemap, ready to be found.
Hiring a freelance web developer in NZ
How much does a website cost in New Zealand?
It depends on how many pages you need and what they have to do. A simple site for a sole trader is a very different job from an online booking system. I give a fixed price after a short chat, so you know the total before any work starts.
How long does it take to build a website?
A small business site of a few pages usually takes a couple of weeks from the first chat to going live. Most of that time is gathering words and photos, not code. Bigger sites and custom tools take longer, and the plan you get up front says when.
Can I hire you if you're based in Sydney?
Yes. I'm a New Zealander working from Sydney, which is two hours behind New Zealand, so we share most of the working day. Everything happens by email, video call and a live preview link, the same way it would if I were in Auckland.
Will my website show up on Google?
Every site I build is set up to be found: fast pages, clear titles and descriptions, structured data, a sitemap and Google Search Console from day one. No one can promise a ranking, but a site built this way gives Google everything it needs to index and understand it.
Do you work with businesses outside Auckland and Wellington?
Yes. I work with people anywhere in New Zealand, and in Australia too. Nothing about building a website needs us in the same room.
Can you rebuild or fix my existing website?
Yes. If your current site is slow, hard to update, not showing up on Google or just looks dated, I can rebuild it or move it off a platform like Wix, Squarespace or WordPress, keeping your domain and your existing search traffic.
What do you need from me to get started?
An email saying what the business does, who your customers are and what you want the site to do. Logos, photos and existing copy help, but they aren't needed to start the conversation.
Ready to start, or just want to ask a question? Email jamesianrowles@gmail.com or use the form below.
Use the form