The verdict in three sentences
For an orthodontic practice in Wellington, the website serves two audiences: the general dentists who refer patients to you, and the parents or adults comparing treatments before a first consultation. A Wellington agency is the right call if you want a team that moves between your practices and also supports your relationships with referring colleagues in person. A remote studio is enough to build an online referral pathway, clear treatment pages and reliable booking, provided the contract locks in your ownership of the domain, code and content.
Three realistic options, not two
Many Wellington orthodontists end up with a hybrid: a remote studio for the site and a local photographer for half a day. The local market is compact, its agencies are strong, but their schedules fill quickly around the capital's public sector and institutional clients, which sometimes delays the start of a project.
| Criterion | Wellington agency | Remote studio | Hybrid (studio + local photographer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZST time-zone overlap | Full | 1 to 3 hours if contracted | 1 to 3 hours, shoot on site |
| Project start | Often a 3 to 6 week wait | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Meetings | In person, CBD or Lower Hutt | Video calls | Video calls + half a day on site |
| Team and practice photos | Included or partner | Supplied by the practice | Local photographer, NZD 800 to 1,800 per half day |
| Copywriting | Local English | Native English or French | Native English or French |
| Domain and code ownership | Check | Check | Check, in every case |
| Total time to launch | 10 to 16 weeks | 3 to 4 weeks | 4 to 5 weeks |
What is the cost over three years?
2026 ballpark, based on typical agency quotes and public agency rate pages in Wellington. Video is the most variable line, often used to explain the stages of treatment.
| Item (3 years) | Wellington agency | Freelancer | Kolonell + local photographer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build (2 practices) | NZD 12,000 to 32,000 | NZD 4,000 to 10,000 | USD 4,900 (Growth) or USD 8,900 (Premium) |
| Referral form for dentists | Included or NZD 1,500 to 4,000 | Varies | Included in Growth and Premium |
| Photo and video | NZD 2,000 to 7,000 | Not included | NZD 800 to 1,800 |
| Hosting and maintenance | NZD 120 to 400 per month | NZD 40 to 150 per month | 3 months included, then on quote |
| Typical 3-year total | NZD 20,000 to 50,000 | NZD 7,000 to 17,000 | about USD 9,000 to 16,500 depending on package, maintenance assumption included |
Kolonell's grid: Starter USD 2,900, Growth USD 4,900, Premium USD 8,900, with a project manager reachable in your time zone, native English or French copywriting, delivery in 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months of support. Advanced integrations and search work are quoted separately. Details are on the international offer.
When is the Wellington agency the better choice?
- You run education evenings for referring dentists and want the same team to produce the materials and the site.
- You want treatment progress videos filmed chairside several times a year.
- The site is part of a name change or a practice merger, with in-person brand workshops.
- Your senior partner only works face to face and will never read a shared document.
In every other case, a remote studio plus a local photographer covers the essentials for a much smaller budget.
Clauses to lock in, whoever the provider
An orthodontist keeps a site for 5 to 7 years: ownership matters more than the initial price. Require in writing:
- the .co.nz or .nz domain registered to the practice, with your own login;
- the hosting account in your name, or a guaranteed transfer within 10 working days;
- assignment of rights to the code, copy, photos and videos produced for you;
- a milestone schedule with payments tied to sign-off, and a defined number of review rounds;
- an exit procedure: full export of the site and the form submissions received.
Pages and rules specific to orthodontics
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
- Treatments: fixed braces, clear aligners, interceptive orthodontics for children, adults; typical duration, steps, price range and payment plans if you show them.
- Referral pathway: a secure form for dentists, with X-ray upload and an automatic acknowledgement.
- First consultation booking linked to your practice management software.
- Health data: the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 apply to information sent by patients and colleagues.
- Advertising: the Dental Council of New Zealand sets standards of professional conduct, advertising included, and the Advertising Standards Authority's codes also apply. Before/after images must be genuine and not misleading.
- Accessibility: target WCAG 2.2 AA; adults considering aligners often browse on mobile during a break.
This is not legal advice.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Dr Tom Reilly, an orthodontist with two practices in central Wellington and Lower Hutt. He receives 30 referrals a month from general dentists but very few direct enquiries from adults. Goal: 2 more adult consultations a month thanks to a clear aligner page and online booking, with a 40% treatment start rate and an average case of NZD 7,500: 2 × 0.4 × 7,500 = NZD 6,000 of extra revenue per month. Local agency quote: NZD 28,000 with a start in 5 weeks. Hybrid option: Kolonell Growth at USD 4,900 (roughly NZD 8,300 at the day's rate) plus NZD 1,500 for a photographer, so NZD 9,800, launched within 5 weeks in total. The NZD 18,200 gap equals about three months of the target gain.
FAQ
Is an online referral form useful for dentists?
Yes: it replaces faxes and unsecured emails and cuts follow-up calls. Plan an automatic acknowledgement and a human reply within 2 working days.
Should orthodontic treatment prices be shown?
A "from" range with its conditions helps adults decide. If you publish it, keep it accurate and update it at least once a year.
What happens if I change provider?
If the domain, hosting and rights are in your name, a handover usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Without those clauses, you may have to rebuild the site.
Can we publish before/after photos?
Yes, if they are genuine, taken in comparable conditions and backed by the patient's written consent. Allow 1 to 2 hours of compliance review.
Can the site be in English and French?
Yes, native English or French copywriting is included at Kolonell. An additional language is quoted separately.
Let's scope your project. Treatment pages, a referral pathway and booking for your Wellington orthodontic practice, from USD 4,900, delivered in 3 to 4 weeks. See the international offer or request a free quote: detailed reply within 48 hours.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.