Web Design NZ -

Jan 23 2026

What Makes a High-Converting Website for Christchurch Businesses in 2026?

By corey Tips and Guides, Web Design

In 2026, having a website isn’t enough. For businesses in Christchurch, your website needs to convert — turning local visitors into enquiries, bookings, and sales. With competition increasing across trades, professional services, hospitality, and e-commerce, the difference between an average site and a high-converting one often comes down to how well it reflects local user behaviour, builds trust, performs on mobile, and guides people to take action.

At Sky Media, we see a clear pattern: Christchurch websites that convert well aren’t flashy for the sake of it. They’re clear, fast, credible, and built around how Cantabrians actually browse, compare, and decide.

Let’s break down what truly makes a high-converting website for Christchurch businesses in 2026 — and how you can apply these principles to your own site.

1. Understanding Local User Behaviour in Christchurch

High conversion starts with understanding who is using your website and how they behave.

Christchurch users are practical decision-makers

Christchurch customers tend to value:

Clear information over hype
Proof and credibility over bold promises
Straightforward pricing or next steps

They often compare multiple local providers before making contact. A high-converting website anticipates this by answering key questions early:

What do you do?
Who is this for?
Why should I trust you?
What do I do next?

Local intent is strong

That means your website should immediately confirm relevance:

Mention Christchurch naturally
Reference local industries or challenges
Show real local examples and testimonials

When visitors feel “this business is for people like me, in my city,” conversion rates increase dramatically.

2. Trust Signals Matter More Than Ever

In 2026, trust is currency. Christchurch users are cautious, especially when committing to services that require upfront investment.

Essential trust elements for Christchurch websites

High-converting local websites consistently include:

Real testimonials from Christchurch clients
Photos of real people (not stock-only imagery)
Clear contact details with a local presence
Transparent explanations of process and pricing

If a visitor has to guess whether you’re legitimate, you’ve already lost them.

Local proof beats generic authority

National awards are nice, but for Christchurch audiences:

A testimonial from a Sydenham tradie
A case study from a Riccarton business
A project completed in the CBD

…often converts better than international logos. Local familiarity reduces perceived risk.

3. Mobile-First Is No Longer Optional

By 2026, most Christchurch website traffic comes from mobile — and not just for hospitality or retail. Professional services, trades, and B2B businesses all see strong mobile usage.

What mobile users in Christchurch expect

A high-converting mobile experience includes:

Fast loading times (especially on mobile data)
Click-to-call buttons
Simple forms (no endless fields)
Readable text without zooming
Clear navigation with minimal clutter

If your mobile site feels cramped, slow, or confusing, users won’t “check it later” — they’ll bounce and contact a competitor.

Mobile design influences trust

A poorly designed mobile site signals:

Outdated business practices
Lack of attention to detail
Potential communication issues

A smooth mobile experience instantly builds confidence and makes it easier for users to take action.

4. Clear Conversion Paths (No Guessing Required)

One of the biggest reasons Christchurch websites fail to convert is unclear next steps.

High-converting websites answer the question:
“What do you want me to do next?”

Strong calls-to-action that work locally

Effective Christchurch websites use CTAs like:

“Get a Quote”
“Book a Free Consultation”
“Talk to our team”
“Request a Call Back”

These are specific, low-pressure, and aligned with local expectations.

One page, one primary goal

Each page should have a dominant action:

Home page → enquiry
Service page → quote request
Contact page → call or form

Too many competing CTAs create hesitation — and hesitation kills conversions.

5. Page Speed and Performance Still Win

Christchurch users won’t tolerate slow websites — especially on mobile. Speed directly affects:

Bounce rates
SEO visibility
Conversion rates

What slows Christchurch websites down

Common issues include:

Heavy image files
Cheap hosting
Bloated themes
Unnecessary animations

High-converting websites are lean, optimised, and built with performance in mind from day one.

Speed isn’t just technical — it’s psychological. Fast sites feel professional and trustworthy.

6. Content That Speaks to Christchurch Audiences

Generic content doesn’t convert. Localised, relevant content does.

What effective Christchurch website content includes

References to local conditions or industries
Language that sounds human, not corporate
Clear explanations without jargon
Answers to real customer questions

For example, a web design page that explains how website design helps Christchurch businesses get more enquiries will outperform one that simply lists features.

7. SEO and Conversion Working Together

In 2026, SEO and conversion optimisation are inseparable.

A website designed purely for rankings but not humans won’t convert. A beautiful website with no SEO won’t be found.

High-converting Christchurch websites:

Target relevant local keywords naturally
Use clear headings and structure
Align content with real search intent
Load fast and work perfectly on mobile

This is why web design Christchurch and website design Christchurch should be treated as user intent topics, not just keywords.

8. Forms That Don’t Scare People Away

Forms are often the final conversion point — and where many websites fail.

What converts better in Christchurch

Short forms (name, email, message)
Optional phone number
Clear privacy reassurance
Friendly, conversational labels

Long, aggressive forms feel salesy and reduce trust. In Christchurch, users prefer a softer, more respectful approach.

9. Visual Design That Feels Modern — Not Trendy

Christchurch businesses don’t need ultra-experimental design. They need:

Clean layouts
Clear typography
Consistent branding
Easy readability

High-converting sites feel current without being confusing. Design should support clarity, not distract from it.

10. Continuous Improvement Beats “Set and Forget”

Finally, the best converting websites in Christchurch are never finished. Read our “Why Your “Set and Forget” Website is Hurting Your Business” post to learn why you need take care of your website on a regular basis.

Monitor user behaviour
Improve underperforming pages
Update content regularly
Refine CTAs based on real data

In 2026, conversion optimisation is an ongoing process — not a one-time project.

Mobile-first web design NZ example on smartphone for Christchurch based beauty & cosmetic tattoo business

Local Example

Lily’s Choice, Christchurch

A great example of conversion-focused website design in action is Lily’s Choice, a boutique beauty studio based in Christchurch. Lily’s Choice specialises in personalised cosmetic treatments designed to enhance natural beauty while making clients feel confident and cared for from the very first interaction.

When designing the website, the focus was on creating a calm, premium feel that reflects the in-studio experience, while also making it easy for visitors to understand services, build trust, and take the next step. Clear service descriptions, strong visual hierarchy, mobile-friendly booking pathways, and subtle trust cues were all built in to support conversions — especially for users browsing on mobile.

The result is a website that not only looks beautiful, but works as a practical tool for attracting and converting local Christchurch clients.

Final Thoughts: Conversion Is About Relevance and Trust

A high-converting website for Christchurch businesses isn’t about tricks or trends. It’s about:

Understanding local users
Building trust quickly
Making mobile effortless
Guiding visitors clearly
Removing friction at every step

When web design, SEO, and user experience work together, your website becomes more than an online brochure — it becomes a consistent lead-generation asset.

If your current website isn’t converting visitors into enquiries, it’s not a reflection of your business — it’s a sign your website needs a smarter, more locally focused approach. At Sky Media, we design high-performing websites built specifically for Christchurch businesses, combining conversion-focused design, mobile-first performance, and SEO that actually drives results. If you’re ready to turn your website into a consistent source of leads in 2026, get in touch with our team for a no-obligation chat about your goals.

Jan 09 2026

2025 Wrapped: A Year of Stories, Strategy & Sky-High Results

By corey Digital Marketing, Web Design

Back to Insights

At Sky Media, years aren’t just measured in months, but in milestones. In the stories we’ve helped tell, the brands we’ve helped amplify, and the digital landscapes we’ve transformed. As we step into 2026, we’re pausing to look back on a year of incredible partnerships, creative breakthroughs, and results that have left a lasting mark.

This isn’t just our year in review—it’s a celebration of our clients’ vision and the tangible impact of aligning bold ideas with bulletproof strategy. From the high-stakes world of construction to the refined realm of single malt whisky, here are the projects that defined our 2025.

Geeves Scaffolding – Building a Digital Framework for Safety & Trust

The Challenge: In an industry built on physical safety and reliability, Geeves Scaffolding’s online presence wasn’t reflecting their market-leading stature. Their digital facade needed a complete rebuild to inspire the confidence of commercial clients and project managers.

Our 2025 Playbook: We approached this like a precision construction project. Our strategy was built on a foundation of trust and authority.

Creating a Industry-Leading Site: We designed a new website that was robust, user-friendly, and safety-first in its messaging. Clean lines, intuitive navigation, and powerful visuals of their projects in action replaced generic stock imagery.
Content that Holds Weight: We developed a content strategy focused on thought leadership — blog posts on compliance updates, case studies of complex projects, and guides on scaffold selection. This positioned Geeves not as a supplier, but as an essential partner in successful project planning.
Targeted Lead Generation: Through strategic Google Ads targeting high-value commercial construction keywords and Facebook campaigns aimed at project managers and tradies, we built a pipeline of qualified leads, not just clicks.

The Sky-High Result: Significant increase in qualified lead generation from digital channels, and a website that now serves as a 24/7 testament to their professionalism, directly contributing to new contract wins. We didn’t just build a website; we built a digital flagship.

Epic Event Structures – Engineering the Foundations for Unforgettable Moments

The Challenge: Epic creates stages for New Zealand’s biggest events — from concert platforms to grandstand seating. However, their online presence wasn’t fully showcasing the engineering excellence, safety innovation, and creative design that sets them apart. They were being seen as a supplier of parts, not the strategic partner who builds the event’s foundational canvas.

Our 2025 Playbook: We shifted the narrative from simply listing services to showcasing masterful event infrastructure. Our strategy was built on demonstrating how their temporary structures are the critical, unseen hero of every successful event.

Showcasing the Scale & Precision: We transformed their digital portfolio into a showcase of engineering artistry. Using detailed case studies, we highlighted the process from initial design to on-site execution, emphasising their in-house engineering certification.
Content Built on Authority: We developed content that positioned Epic as thought leaders in event safety and logistics. This included guides on event planning compliance, insights into managing complex sites, and highlighting their nationwide reach with 16 branches, assuring clients they have the resources for any event, anywhere.
Targeting the Decision-Makers: Through strategic Google Ads campaigns and content aimed at event producers, festival directors, and commercial brand managers, we focused on the key concerns: safety, reliability, innovation, and creating that “wow factor” within budget.

The Sky-High Result: Website engagement from targeted commercial and event management sectors increased significantly, with time spent on key service pages doubling. Most importantly, inbound inquiries evolved from basic price requests to detailed consultations for custom, large-scale projects, reflecting the established position as premium partners for event infrastructure.

AOne Productions – Orchestrating Visual Narratives from Phuket to the World

The Challenge: AOne Productions, our esteemed client from Phuket, Thailand, possesses masterful talent across photography, videography, aerial and drone videos, and post-production. However, their diverse services were presented as separate offerings rather than a cohesive visual storytelling suite, making it difficult for international resorts, brands, and agencies to see them as a single, premier source for end-to-end visual production.

Our 2025 Playbook: Our mission was to harmonize their offerings into a compelling brand story that showcased Phuket-based excellence with world-class appeal, targeting an international clientele seeking premium visual content.

Unifying the Visual & Verbal Brand: We refined their messaging to present “Photography. Videography. Storytelling.” as interconnected chapters of one service. We developed a sleek, portfolio-focused website that showcased their stunning work—from cinematic resort promos and dynamic aerial footage of Thai landscapes to event videos —demonstrating seamless quality across all mediums.
The “Global Visual Partner” Pitch: We repositioned AOne not as a local vendor, but as a strategic visual partner for international clients. Our content strategy highlighted their unique advantage: the ability to produce high-quality visuals with the efficiency, local knowledge, and breathtaking backdrop of Phuket and Southeast Asia.
Strategic International Showcasing: We optimised their digital presence for global discovery, using targeted SEO for keywords like “international video production Thailand” and “premium aerial photography Asia.” Facebook and Instagram campaigns were strategically aimed at marketing directors of luxury hospitality brands, international ad agencies, and global corporations looking for stunning visual content from the region.

The Sky-High Result: AOne Productions brand is now clearly positioned as a top-tier, one-stop visual production house, successfully translating their Phuket-based talent into a powerful global value proposition.

Alborania Decor & Design – Curating a Digital Showroom of Dreams

The Challenge: Alborania, a promising startup from Thailand, sells exquisite, custom-made decor with immense global appeal. However, their potential was locked behind a logistical barrier: without a direct-to-consumer sales channel, reaching their potential customers was complex and fragmented. They needed more than a digital brochure; they required a fully-functional, luxurious e-commerce platform that could seamlessly translate the artistry of their pieces into a trustworthy and convenient shopping experience.

Our 2025 Playbook: Our mission was to engineer a complete digital retail ecosystem. We moved beyond building a brand to building a sales engine, designing an online store that married inspirational storytelling with intuitive, E-Commerce functionality.

Designing a Conversion-Focused Experience: We architected the website as a premium digital boutique. The user journey was meticulously crafted: from immersive, high-fidelity product galleries with zoom functionality and lifestyle videos, to a streamlined checkout process with transparent shipping calculators. Every element was designed to build confidence and reduce purchase friction.
Product Narratives that Convert: We embedded powerful storytelling directly into the product pages. Each item’s description was crafted as a mini-narrative, detailing the artisan techniques, material provenance, and cultural inspiration behind the piece. This transformed product listings from simple specifications into compelling stories that justified value and fostered an emotional connection, directly encouraging purchase decisions.
Driving Direct Sales Through Paid Traffic: With a beautiful storefront built, we launched targeted social media campaigns. We used visually stunning carousels on Facebook and Instagram, targeting demographics interested in luxury interior design, artisanal goods, and Asian aesthetics, with a clear call-to-action driving traffic directly to product pages.The Sky-High Result: Alborania successfully transacted its first orders within weeks of launch. The platform established a direct, profitable sales channel, eliminating intermediary barriers.

The Sky-High Result: From a standing start, Alborania’s digital showroom generated significant traffic and high-intent inquiries within the first quarter of launch. Facebook and Instagram became their primary discovery channels, directly driving a sales pipeline.

Laughing Owl Whisky – Distilling a Legacy in the Digital Age

The Challenge: Launching a premium spirits brand in a saturated global market is a monumental task. Laughing Owl Whisky needed to establish a legacy from day one – to tell a story so compelling it would justify a premium price point and cultivate a loyal following of connoisseurs and curious drinkers alike.

Our 2025 Playbook: We crafted a launch strategy steeped in legend, locality, and luxury. Every element was designed to bottle the essence of their story.

Story as the Spirit’s Soul: We built the entire brand narrative around the enigmatic Laughing Owl (Whēkau), its haunting call, and its connection to the untamed spirit of Aotearoa. This wasn’t just whisky; it was a liquid story.
E-Commerce Engineered for Exclusivity: The launch campaign was integrated directly into a high-conversion website. We built advanced e-commerce functionality including limited-release product queues, real-time inventory counters, and a robust waiting list system to manage high demand and create scarcity. The checkout process was optimised for clarity, with detailed information on regional shipping.
E-Commerce Engineered for Exclusivity: The “Parliament” membership is the central e-commerce feature. This copy-driven strategy creates digital scarcity and community, encouraging immediate action. The website copy, from the evocative product description (“Mānuka smoke… Mānuka wood… uniquely bold flavour”) to the clear “Buy Now” and “Become a Member” calls-to-action, is designed to guide visitors from story to sale without external media.The Sky-High Result: Launch day delivered extraordinary demand, with the first wave of inventory moving swiftly and driving immediate, high-value sales through the new platform. The launch established Laughing Owl not as another whisky, but as a coveted New Zealand icon in the making.

The Sky-High Result: The platform’s launch generated powerful initial sales momentum and has sustained significant, ongoing demand. The strategic copywriting and “Parliament” membership model successfully converted brand story into commercial action, building a robust waitlist of engaged customers.

Wrapping Up a Year of Transformative Partnerships

2025 at Sky Media reaffirmed a core belief: powerful digital marketing is never just about clicks and conversions. It’s about understanding the soul of a business.

These five highlights are a testament to the collaborative spirit we share with our clients. Here’s to the stories we told, the challenges we tackled, and the results we achieved together. As we look to the horizon, we’re excited to write the next chapter of innovation and impact.

Ready to make 2026 your brand’s most impactful year yet? Let’s talk about your business.

Nov 21 2025

A productive partnership between a business owner and a NZ web designer, discussing a project plan.

Choosing Your Web Design Partner: 12 Essential Traits of a Top NZ Agency

By corey Web Design

Back to Insights

A quick search for “best web design agency New Zealand” returns hundreds of options. From one-person freelancers to full-service digital studios, the choice can be overwhelming. How do you cut through the noise and find a true partner, not just a vendor?

The key is to stop looking for a “designer” and start looking for a “business partner.” You need an agency that understands your goals, your audience, and the unique nuances of the New Zealand market.

After years of seeing what makes a website project succeed or fail, we’ve compiled the 12 non-negotiable traits you should look for when choosing your local web design partner.

1. A Stellar Portfolio with Real-World Results

Any agency can show you pretty pictures. A top-tier agency will show you effective websites.

Look Beyond Aesthetics: Don’t just ask, “Do I like how this looks?” Ask, “What did this website achieve for the client?” Look for case studies that detail the business problem and how the website solved it.

Relevance to Your Industry & Scale: An agency that only designs for large corporates might not be the best fit for a small business, and vice-versa. Seek out portfolios with projects similar in size and complexity to yours.

Diversity and Quality: A strong portfolio shows range but maintains a high standard of quality. It demonstrates the agency can adapt its skills to different brand voices and business models.

Geeves Scaffolding Dunedin Branch website

2. A Process Built on Strategy, Not Just Art

A beautiful website that doesn’t convert visitors is a work of art, not a business asset. The best agencies lead with strategy.

The Discovery Phase: Your first meetings shouldn’t be about colour palettes. They should be about your business goals, target audience, key competitors, and what “success” means for you. A rigorous discovery process is the foundation of a successful project.

Ask “Why?”: A strategic partner will always be able to explain why they are making a specific recommendation. “We’re placing the call-to-action here because eye-tracking studies show…” is a far better answer than, “Because it looks good there.”

3. Mastery of User Experience (UX) Design

User Experience (UX) is the silent salesperson on your website. It’s the science of making your site intuitive, easy to use, and enjoyable for your visitors.

It’s About the Journey: A great UX agency will map out the entire customer journey—from a user’s first click on a Google ad to finally making a purchase or filling out a contact form. They remove friction at every step.

Mobile-First Mentality: In New Zealand, mobile internet usage is dominant. Your agency must design for mobile first, ensuring a flawless experience on smartphones and tablets before scaling up to a desktop view.

4. Expertise in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)

What good is a stunning website if no one can find it? SEO should be baked into the design and development process from day one, not tacked on as an afterthought.

On-Page SEO Fundamentals: The agency should have a proven process for optimising page titles, meta descriptions, header tags, image alt-text, and URL structures.

Technical SEO: This is the behind-the-scenes magic. It includes site speed optimisation, clean code, mobile-friendliness, and a logical site structure that search engines love.

Local NZ SEO: If you serve local customers, your agency must understand local SEO. This includes optimising for Google Business Profile, ensuring consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) citations across the web, and understanding local search intent.

SEO results Sky Media delivered to our customers

5. A Focus on Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)

Your website should do more than just attract visitors; it should persuade them to act. This is Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO).

Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Are buttons compelling and placed strategically? An expert agency will design CTAs that stand out and guide users.

Trust Signals: Do they incorporate customer testimonials, trust badges, case studies, and logos of clients you recognise? These elements build credibility and reduce hesitation.

Data-Driven Design: The best CRO decisions are based on data, not guesswork. Your agency should talk about using Google Analytics to inform design choices.

6. Transparent Pricing and Clear Contracts

Surprise costs are a major red flag. A professional agency is transparent about its pricing and what’s included.

Detailed Proposals: The proposal should break down costs for strategy, design, development, content, and testing. It should clearly state what is not included (e.g., premium plugins, stock imagery, hosting).

Project vs. Retainer Model: Understand how they charge. Is it a fixed project price or an ongoing monthly retainer? Both are valid, but the model should be clear.

The Contract: The contract should protect both parties and clearly outline the project scope, timelines, payment schedules, and ownership rights (you should own the final website and its content).

7. A Content Management System (CMS) You Can Use

Your website is a living asset that you’ll need to update. The agency should build it on a user-friendly Content Management System (CMS).

WordPress, Shopify, or Custom?: In New Zealand, platforms like WordPress and Shopify are popular for a reason: they are powerful and relatively easy for clients to manage. Be wary of agencies that push for a fully custom, proprietary CMS that locks you in with them forever. Have a look at our CMS comparison post.

Training and Handover: A good partner provides thorough training on how to use your new CMS. You should feel confident making basic text, image, and page updates on your own after the project is complete.

8. A Collaborative, Partnership Mindset

This is a partnership. Your insights into your business are invaluable. The best agencies listen more than they talk.

Your Role as the Expert: You are the expert on your business, your customers, and your industry. The agency is the expert on design, UX, and technology. The magic happens when these two areas of expertise collaborate.

Open Communication: Ensure they have a clear process for communication. How often will you have status updates? Who is your single point of contact?

9. Technical Proficiency and Future-Proofing

A website is a technical asset. The agency must build it with modern, secure, and scalable code.

Website Speed: A slow website loses visitors and hurts your SEO. Ask the agency about their specific strategies for optimising site speed (e.g., image optimisation, caching, clean code).

Security: With cyber threats on the rise, security is paramount. They should discuss their approach to SSL certificates, regular security updates, and secure hosting environments.

Scalability: Your business will grow. Your website should be built on a foundation that can grow with it, handling more traffic, products, or content without needing a complete rebuild.

10. A Clear Post-Launch Support Plan

The project isn’t over when the website goes live. What happens next is critical.

Hosting and Maintenance: Do they offer ongoing hosting and maintenance plans? A website needs regular updates to its core software and plugins to remain secure and functional.

Bug Fixing Warranty: Most agencies offer a warranty period (e.g., 30-60 days) after launch to fix any bugs that appear.

Ongoing Partnership: The best client-agency relationships continue long after launch. Look for a partner who can support your digital growth with ongoing marketing, SEO, and content creation services.

11. Reviews and Verifiable Testimonials

What are their past clients saying? Authentic social proof is one of the most powerful indicators of a quality agency.

Google Reviews & Case Studies: Check their Google Business Profile for reviews. Read their detailed case studies on their website. Do the testimonials speak to the agency’s strategic value, or just their design skills?

Sky Media 5-Star Google reviews from our clients

12. Cultural Fit and Local Understanding

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of personality and local context.

Do You Like Working With Them?: You will be spending a significant amount of time communicating with this team. Choose an agency whose values and communication style align with your own.

The Local Advantage: An agency based in New Zealand inherently understands Kiwi culture, consumer behaviour, and the local business environment. They get the subtleties — from public holiday trading hours to regional nuances — that an overseas provider would likely miss.

Your Next Step: From Searching to Selecting

Armed with these 12 criteria, your search for the “best web design agency in New Zealand” can now be a strategic evaluation, not a guessing game.

Create a shortlist of 3-4 agencies that seem to fit the bill. Then, use this list as a scorecard during your initial consultations. Ask pointed questions about their process, their approach to SEO and CRO, and their post-launch support.

The right agency won’t just see you as another project. They will see you as a partner and will be genuinely invested in using their skills to help your business thrive online. By choosing a partner who excels in these 12 areas, you’re not just buying a website—you’re investing in one of your most valuable business assets.

You’ve read the checklist. Now, see the difference.

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with the Sky Media team. Let’s discuss your business goals and show you how our strategic approach to web design can build a website that doesn’t just look great — it drives real growth.

Oct 24 2025

Modern website design generating online enquiries and sales leads.

Simple Ways to Get Better Leads from Your Website

By corey Tips and Guides, Web Design

Back to Insights

Every business wants more website traffic. But traffic alone doesn’t pay the bills — quality leads do.

At Sky Media, we often meet business owners who’ve invested in a new website that sadly brings in little to no work. The truth is: design alone isn’t enough. To make your website work as a real sales tool, you need strategy, structure, and clear communication.

Below, we break down how the Sky Media team approaches building a website that not only looks great, but consistently attracts and converts the right kind of leads — the ones that fit your services, your values, and your price point.

1. Start With the Goal — Not the Design

Before picking colours or fonts, get clear on what success looks like.
Ask yourself: what do you actually want people to do when they land on your website? Do you want them to call you, request a quote, make a booking, or download a guide?

Once you know the goal, everything else — the layout, images, and copy — should serve that purpose. A site without a goal is like a billboard with no message.

For example, a trades company might have one primary goal: get quote requests. That means the contact form, CTA buttons, and copy should all nudge visitors toward that action.

Tip: Write your main goal at the top of your design brief. Every section of your website should move visitors closer to that goal. If it doesn’t, it probably doesn’t need to be there.

2. Know Who You’re Talking To

You can’t speak to everyone. The best-performing websites speak clearly to a defined audience — and make those people feel understood.

Start by thinking about your ideal client:
What do they want most?
What problems or frustrations do they face?

What would make them trust you?

Once you understand your audience, reflect that understanding through your design and words. A scaffolding company in Dunedin, for example, might focus on reliability and winter shrink-wrapping solutions, while a dance academy might highlight family-friendly classes and community connection.

When people feel your website “gets” them, they’re far more likely to get in touch.

A scaffolding company in Dunedin - Bramwell Scaffolding website

Awaken Dance a dance academy website design

3. Design for Action, Not Distraction

Beautiful websites don’t automatically perform well. Function should lead form. Your design should guide people — not just impress them.

That means using clean layouts, plenty of white space, and logical flow. Too many colours, flashing banners, or competing buttons just confuse visitors.

Every page should have one clear next step: book a call, get a quote, sign up. When someone lands on your homepage, it should take no more than three seconds to see what you offer and what to do next.

Use language that’s helpful and specific. Instead of a generic “Submit” button, say “Get A Quote” or “Book A Free Call.”

The goal is to make action feel easy and obvious.

4. Turn Every Service Page into a Sales Page

Think of each service or product page as a mini sales pitch. Your homepage gives the overview, but it’s the deeper pages that actually close the deal.

Each service page should have:

A clear headline that promises value (“Fast, Reliable Scaffolding for Dunedin Builders”).

A few paragraphs explaining how you help and why it matters.

Proof that builds trust — testimonials, client logos, or short case studies.

A strong call-to-action encouraging the next step.

For example, if you’re an electrician, a service page about “New Build Wiring” could include photos of past projects, your safety certifications, and a form that says, “Tell us about your new build — we’ll reply within 24 hours.”

Remember: people don’t buy services, they buy outcomes. Tell them what they’ll gain — not just what you’ll do.

Bramwell Scaffolding services page design example for lead generation

TWC website service page design example for lead generation

5. Speak Like a Human (Copy That Builds Trust)

Good website copy doesn’t sound clever — it sounds clear.

Your visitors are busy. They don’t want jargon or buzzwords like “innovative solutions” or “synergistic platforms.” They want to know, quickly, whether you can solve their problem.

Use plain language, short sentences, and active verbs. Focus on benefits — what your service does for them.

Example:
Instead of saying “We deliver innovative scaffolding solutions.”, say: “We build strong, safe scaffolds that help your team finish faster.”

Small changes in tone can transform your message from vague to confident.

Also, use your customer’s language. If they say “house painting,” don’t call it “residential coating systems.” Speak their words back to them — that’s what builds connection.

6. Speed, Mobile, and SEO — The Silent Heroes

Even the best copy won’t help if your site takes ten seconds to load or doesn’t work on mobile.

Most visitors decide within seconds whether to stay or leave. If your pages are slow or broken on mobile, they’ll bounce before reading a word.

That’s why at Sky Media we prioritise:

Fast loading times (compressed images, optimised code).
Mobile-first design that looks great on every screen.
SEO-friendly structure — clear headings, internal links, and page titles that match what people search for.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) isn’t just about ranking on Google — it’s about helping the right people find you. If someone searches “Villa Painting Auckland,” they should land on a page that answers that need directly — not your homepage with a generic message.

7. Make Getting in Touch Effortless

If someone has to dig around to find your contact form, you’ve already lost them. Make the next step obvious and easy.

Keep your forms short — name, email or phone, and one key question is often enough. On mobile, make sure phone numbers are clickable so people can call with one tap.

Tools like Calendly or booking systems are great for service businesses. They let potential clients book a chat or consultation instantly — no back-and-forth emails required.

And don’t forget your thank-you page. It’s a small but powerful touchpoint. Use it to confirm you’ve received their message, tell them when they’ll hear back, and maybe offer a useful resource while they wait.

8. Measure, Review, and Improve

A great website isn’t built once and forgotten. It evolves.

Sky Media uses analytics tools like Google Analytics and Google Site Kit to see what’s working — and what’s not. Which pages bring in the most enquiries? Where do people drop off? Which buttons get clicked?

With that data, we can make small, strategic changes. Test a new headline, rewrite a call-to-action, or simplify your form.

Even minor tweaks can dramatically boost conversion rates. We’ve seen clients increase the number of their leads just by refining button text or rearranging key content.

Calendly booking systems on the Lily's Choice website

Request a quote contact page design on Bramwell website

9. Common Lead-Killing Mistakes to Avoid

Many websites fail because of small but costly mistakes:

Too many options: Too many menu items or buttons overwhelm users. Guide them clearly.
Walls of text: Break up long paragraphs with headings, short sentences, and images.
Slow pages: Optimise your images — large, uncompressed files can slow you to a crawl.
Weak CTAs: “Contact Us” is fine, but “Get a Free Quote in 24 Hours” works better.
Vague messages: Be specific about what you do and where you do it.

Fixing these basics can instantly make your site feel smoother and more professional — and that confidence translates into more leads.

10. Turn Your Website into Your Best Salesperson

When your website is built with purpose, clarity, and empathy, it becomes more than an online brochure — it becomes your hardest-working salesperson.

It never takes holidays, it doesn’t forget to follow up, and it presents your business exactly how you want to be seen, 24 hours a day.

The combination of strategy, smart design, and consistent optimisation is what turns a static site into a lead-generating asset. And that’s exactly what we build for our clients at Sky Media.

Ready to Turn Your Website into a Lead-Winning Machine?

At Sky Media, we design and develop WordPress websites that look sharp and bring in the right kind of enquiries. From initial strategy to ongoing SEO, we focus on clarity, conversion, and measurable results.

Let’s chat about how your current site could perform better — we can provide a quick review, highlight missed opportunities, and outline a plan to get you more of the leads you actually want. Book a 15-Minute Strategy Call.

Sep 26 2025

Common User Experience Mistakes NZ Websites Make (and How to Fix Them)

By corey Tips and Guides, Web Design

Back to Insights

When visitors come to your website, they expect a seamless, intuitive experience. But many New Zealand businesses unintentionally make mistakes that frustrate users, cause them to leave, or lose trust. Below, we walk through five common UX (user experience) mistakes NZ websites make — illustrated with local relevance — and simple fixes you can apply or ask your web team to address.

1. Asking for Too Much Too Soon (“UX Fatigue”)

One of the modern web design traps is UX fatigue — when a site overwhelms users with pop-ups, modals, sign-up prompts, cookie banners, onboarding tutorials, or notification requests before letting people see content.

Why NZ sites fall into this: Some local small businesses try to push newsletter signups, account creation, or tracking consents right at the start, hoping to build leads fast, but many users simply bounce before reading anything.

Fixes Sky Media team can implement on your website:

Delay non-essential pop-ups until after the user has consumed some content.
Use subtle banners instead of full-screen modals.
Bundle cookie consent and tracking prompts in a simple, unobtrusive bar.
Let users opt-in later rather than forcing actions immediately.
By giving users breathing room, you decrease bounce rates and increase the chance they’ll stick around.

Misuse of popups creating poor user experience.

2. Confusing Navigation & Cluttered Menus

If people arriving at your site can’t find what they’re looking for within seconds, frustration sets in. Cluttered menus, too many options, vague labels or hidden pages all contribute.

Example: Imagine a Wellington café website that labels its menu tab as “Our Story / Eat / Gather” — that’s vague. A more descriptive “Menu | About Us | Book a Table | Contact” works better.

How to improve navigation:

Limit primary menu items to 5–7 max.
Use clear, descriptive labels (e.g. “Services,” “Pricing,” “Contact”) instead of creative jargon.
Use breadcrumbs on deeper pages so users always know where they are.
Group related items under parent categories to reduce clutter.
Test navigation with real users — ask a friend unfamiliar with your business to “find the contact page” and observe where they click.

Website example showing confusing navigation menu vs clean navigation

Poor navigation and menus hurt user experience.

3. Poor Mobile Optimisation

In New Zealand, many people browse websites on mobile devices (phones or tablets). If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, buttons are too small, images don’t scale, or layout breaks, users will leave quickly.

Common mobile UX issues to watch for:

Tap targets (buttons, links) too small or too close together.
Text that requires zooming to read.
Overlapping elements or images that don’t scale properly.
Menus that become hidden or difficult to use.

Simple fixes:

Design mobile-first — start layout and style thinking from small screens, then scale up.
Make buttons well noticeable with ample spacing.
Use responsive design so images and containers adapt fluidly.
Test on multiple real devices (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, etc.) to catch quirks.

Website example showing poor responsive design

Website example showing non-responsive design vs clean responsive design.

4. Long, Overwhelming Forms & Requests for Data

Nothing kills momentum faster than a long registration or contact form that asks for too much information. If your form looks like a chore, most users won’t bother completing it.

Typical overreach in NZ business sites:

Asking for full address, phone, business registration number, custom preferences just to get a quote.
Long multiple-step forms without progress indicators.
No inline feedback (i.e. telling users immediately when there’s an error).

Better approach:

Only ask for essential fields first (name, email, message) and expand later if needed.
Use multi-step forms or progressive disclosure (show additional fields after initial information).
Provide live validation (e.g. “That email looks invalid”) to reduce submission errors.
Show a success message or confirmation immediately after submission — reassure users.

Before and after: simplified form design for better user experience.

5. Ignoring Accessibility & Readability

A website may look beautiful, but if users with visual impairments, screen readers, or slower connections can’t use it, you lose a portion of your audience — and credibility.

Examples of accessibility and readability oversights:

Insufficient contrast between text and background (e.g. light grey text on white).
No alt text for images (so screen readers can’t describe them).
Tiny font sizes that are unreadable on some devices.
Interface elements (buttons, menus) not navigable via keyboard.
Relying on colour alone to communicate meaning (e.g. error messages in red without icons).

What to do:

Use a contrast checker (there are free tools online) to ensure text is legible against its background.
Always include descriptive alt attributes for images (even decorative ones should have an alternative description).
Choose a base font size (e.g. 16px or equivalent) and allow users’ browsers to scale.
Test navigation using only keyboard (Tab, Enter) to ensure the site is usable without a mouse.
Use icons or labels in addition to colour cues (so red = error, but also show an “X” icon or text).

Website text with poor contrast making it hard to read

Example of poor readability and low contrast text on websites.

How These Mistakes Hurt Your Bottom Line

Higher bounce rates — frustrated users leave before exploring.
Lower conversions — potential clients never get to your call to action.
Brand trust damage — a clunky user experience makes your business seem less professional.
Wasted marketing spend — driving traffic is expensive; if UX is bad, that investment is wasted.

In a competitive environment like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or even in smaller NZ towns, people have many alternatives. A website that is user-friendly gives you an edge.

At Sky Media, we build websites that don’t just look good — they’re designed to perform. Our team specialises in affordable web design in NZ with SEO baked in from day one, so your business can attract more customers and grow online.

Whether you need a fresh build or want to upgrade your current site, our Web Design packages give you flexible options to suit your goals.

Let’s turn your website into a lead-generating machine. Get a free website and SEO quote today.

Aug 19 2025

Top Web Design Trends in New Zealand for 2025

By corey Web Design

Back to Insights

The digital world is moving faster than ever, and New Zealand businesses can no longer afford to treat their websites as simple online brochures. In 2025, web design is about strategic digital experiences —designing websites that connect emotionally, drive conversions, and reflect Kiwi values of inclusivity and sustainability.

For businesses, keeping up with the latest design practices is critical. Whether you’re a small local business in Dunedin or a large eCommerce brand in Auckland, the same truth applies: your website is the front door to your business. When it’s outdated, confusing, or poorly optimised, you risk losing customers to competitors.

This blog explores the top web design trends in New Zealand for 2025, with a focus on Web Design NZ and how Kiwi businesses can implement these trends effectively.

1. Mobile-First Design

In 2025, mobile-first design isn’t just a best practice—it’s the default. With more than 70% of New Zealand internet traffic now coming from smartphones, websites that don’t prioritise mobile users are immediately at a disadvantage.

Why It Matters

Google’s mobile-first indexing: Google ranks websites based on their mobile versions first. If your site doesn’t perform well on mobile, your SEO rankings will drop.
Better engagement: Mobile users expect quick loading times, simple navigation, and content that fits their screen without endless zooming.
Local relevance: Many Kiwis search for services “near me” while on mobile. A responsive, mobile-friendly site ensures your business appears credible when people are on the go.

Best Practices

Use responsive frameworks like Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS.
Prioritise fast-loading images and compressed video.
Design tap-friendly buttons and larger fonts for easy reading.
Eliminate clutter—keep navigation clean and intuitive.

Local Example

New Zealand retailers such as Kathmandu and Farmers NZ have redesigned their sites with mobile-first layouts, ensuring smooth browsing experiences that boost online sales.

Mobile-first web design NZ example on smartphone

2. Ethical, Sustainable, and Accessible Website Design

Kiwi consumers are increasingly valuing businesses that align with social and environmental responsibility. This has fuelled the rise of ethical, sustainable, and accessible design as a cornerstone of Web Design New Zealand.

Accessibility

An accessible website ensures everyone—including those with visual, auditory, or physical impairments—can use it effectively. Features include:

Screen reader compatibility for the visually impaired
Colour contrast testing for readability
Keyboard navigation support for users unable to use a mouse
Alt text for all images so search engines and screen readers can interpret visuals

Sustainability

Many New Zealand businesses are also reducing their website’s carbon footprint by:

Using efficient hosting providers powered by renewable energy
Optimising code to lower server demand
Limiting auto-playing videos and heavy animations that drain energy

Local Example

NZ’s Department of Conservation has a website optimised for accessibility and sustainability, reflecting the organisation’s environmental ethos while making content widely usable.

Why It Matters

Not only do sustainable and accessible designs align with Kiwi values, but Google also prioritises fast, efficient, and inclusive websites in search rankings. Investing in this area benefits both users and SEO performance.

Accessible web design New Zealand with inclusive layout

3. Meaningful Interactions

In 2025, visitors expect more than static pages—they want to engage with your brand through meaningful digital interactions. This trend is about using interactive design to improve customer journeys, not just add visual flair.

Examples of Meaningful Interactions

Micro-interactions: Subtle animations when a button is pressed or when a form is completed successfully. These give users instant feedback and reduce frustration.
Interactive content: Calculators, quizzes, or configurators that let users customise services or products before purchase.
AI-powered chatbots: Offering instant answers, personalised suggestions, and 24/7 customer support.
Dynamic product filters: Allowing users to refine searches in real time, enhancing eCommerce experiences.

Local Example

Tourism websites like 100% Pure New Zealand and airline portals such as Air New Zealand are leveraging interactive maps, booking tools, and AI chat assistants to keep users engaged and improve satisfaction.

Why It Matters

These meaningful interactions boost time on site, customer trust, and conversion rates. Instead of gimmicks, interactions are now designed to add clarity, reduce friction, and make navigation intuitive.

Interactive website design NZ with chatbot feature

4. Complex and Awe-Inspiring Hero Areas

Your hero section—the large banner or introduction area at the top of a homepage—has become more than a welcome mat. In 2025, hero areas are complex digital storytelling tools that instantly communicate your brand identity.

Key Features of Modern Hero Areas

Cinematic video backgrounds: Immersive visuals that capture attention instantly.
Oversized typography: Bold headlines that state your value proposition clearly.
Immersive motion graphics: Smooth, subtle animations that draw the eye to key messaging.
3D visuals and AR elements: Giving websites a futuristic, cutting-edge feel.

Local Example

Businesses in Auckland and Wellington are blending Māori design motifs and storytelling elements into hero sections, reflecting New Zealand’s culture in a modern way. This creates a unique brand identity that resonates both locally and internationally.

Why It Matters

Your hero area is often where users decide whether to stay or leave. By making it visually compelling, culturally relevant, and strategically designed, you increase trust, professionalism, and engagement from the first second.

5. Smart CTA Placements to Improve Conversions

Your Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons are the most important conversion points on your site. In 2025, Web Design NZ is shifting to smarter placements that align with the customer journey.

Best Practices for Smart CTAs

Above the fold: A visible CTA (like “Book Now” or “Get a Free Quote”) should appear before the user scrolls.
Contextual placement: CTAs appear at the right moment—after a product description, service list, or testimonial.
Sticky CTAs: Floating action buttons that stay on-screen as users scroll.
Personalised CTAs: AI-driven buttons tailored to user behaviour (e.g., showing “Get 20% Off” to repeat visitors).
A/B testing: Continuously refining colour, text, and placement for maximum impact.

Local Example

E-commerce platforms like Trade Me have perfected CTA placements, ensuring that “Buy Now” and “Place Bid” buttons are always prominent, leading to higher sales.

Why It Matters

A website can look stunning but still fail if it doesn’t convert. Smart CTA strategies ensure design isn’t just attractive—it’s profitable. Businesses that test and refine CTA placements see significant jumps in lead generation and revenue.

Smart CTA placement in NZ website design for higher conversions

As we step into 2025, Web Design New Zealand is about more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating purpose-driven digital experiences. Mobile-first designs meet the demands of today’s browsing habits, ethical and sustainable websites align with Kiwi values, meaningful interactions improve usability, awe-inspiring hero sections capture attention, and smart CTAs drive real conversions.

For businesses across the country, adopting these trends means building not just a website, but a digital growth engine. Whether you’re in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or a smaller town, staying ahead of these web design trends ensures your business remains competitive in an increasingly digital-first world.

If you’re looking to future-proof your online presence, investing in professional Web Design NZ services, Sky Media team will help you deliver websites that are modern, inclusive, and high-performing. Get in touch with us for a free consultation.

Jul 29 2025

How to Get Your New Website Live with Sky Media

By corey Tips and Guides, Web Design

Back to Insights

If you’ve been in business a while, likely, you’ll already have a domain name for an existing website. If that’s the case, we can connect your new website to your existing domain in one of two ways:

Transfer your domain URL to Sky Media – Provide your unique domain authentication identifier (UDAI) code and a screenshot of your DNS records.
Update your A record with your current host – Give the A record details to your webmaster or hosting company.

How to Transfer Your Website URL/Domain Name to Sky Media

By hosting with us, you’ll have Sky Media as your single point of contact for all things website-related. If you want to transfer your website URL/domain name to us, you’ll need to contact your current domain provider and ask for your unique domain authentication identifier (UDAI) and a screenshot of all DNS Records.

How to Get Your DNS Settings and UDAI Code for Your Website’s Domain Name

Your domain name system (DNS) settings are crucial for directing traffic to your website and email services, so we must get the correct information installed before we launch your new website. Here’s how to get yours:

Check with Your Current Webmaster

Who set up your existing website and purchased your domain? Who’s running your current site? They’ll likely have the information you require.

If you have a webmaster to manage your website and domain, simply ask them to provide your UDAI code and DNS settings. Sometimes, domain name companies (registrars like Crazy Domains and GoDaddy) automatically send the UDAI code to the email address associated with your account, after you initiate the request. Check your email inbox, including spam or junk folders, as you may find your UDAI code there. You can simply forward this email to us.

Check Your Domain Registrar Portal/Dashboard

Did you or someone you know purchase the domain? Who’s running your current site? They’ll likely have the logins for your domain registrar where you can access what you need.

Log in to the website where you purchased the domain e.g. godaddy.com or crazydomains.co.nz
Go to your domain management or settings section.
Look for DNS settings, often called “DNS Management,” “DNS Configuration” or similar.
Look for an option like “Request UDAI,” “Get Auth Code” or “Retrieve Authorization Code.”
Follow the prompts or instructions to generate and obtain your DNS settings and UDAI code.
If this is too much, just send your logins to us and we’ll do the rest on your behalf. Easy.

Still Stuck?

Check Your Domain Details on the Domain Name Commission NZ Website

If you’ve lost touch with your webmaster, can’t find a UDAI email, and cannot access logins to your domain registration site, then you can take a look online. DNC offers a tool to search publicly available information relating to DNS nameservers.

Go to https://dnc.org.nz/
Enter your domain name in the provided search bar at the top right e.g. https://skymedia.nz/
Look for the DNS information under name server (NS records).
Look for the UDAI code or Auth Code information in the results.

How to Point Your New Website to Your Existing Domain and Host via A Record

If you’d prefer to leave your domain and website with your current host (not recommended), that’s possible. You’ll just need to switch your domain’s A record to:

106.0.62.70 in their domain provider DNS settings.

An “A record” (address record) is a type of DNS record used to point a domain name/website URL to the corresponding IPv4 address of your website’s current hosting site (parking space on the web). The A record allows the internet to connect to the right server where your website’s files are stored. Without that, we’d all need to remember numbers for websites instead of names!

Bear in mind, if you opt for A record pointing and something happens with your website in the future, you’ll need to contact the domain registrar, not Sky Media. We can only take full responsibility for your website when we build the site and host the site and its domain. Unlike many domain registrars, at Sky Media, we provide swift replies from our NZ-based team via text, email and phone. We typically resolve website issues in a few hours.

How to Link Your Emails to Your New Website with Sky Media

At Sky Media, we recommend Microsoft 365 Outlook or Google Workspace for all business emails. We understand you may have your own personal preferences. We’re able to connect your existing emails to your new website, all you need to do is let us know your email. Importantly, we don’t host emails, we only connect them, so any email issues would always be resolved with Microsoft 365 Outlook or Google Workspace.

Finally, we know website details can seem complicated, so if you’d like our team to manage it, we can do so on your behalf for a small charge. Just speak to us, give us any details you have like logins and we’ll get it all done for you.

Apr 13 2025

How to Get High-Quality Videos for Your Website

By corey Tips and Guides

Back to Insights

Professional videos are a business investment, because high-quality website videos communicate the quality of a business’s products and services. Here you’ll find Sky Media’s helpful guidelines for identifying website-worthy videos for your site.

How to Take and Select High-Quality Videos

How to Check a Video’s Size and File Type

How to Hire a Professional Videographer

How to Source Product Videos from Suppliers

How to Select Professional Stock Videos

How to Submit Videos to Sky Media for Your Website

To get high-quality videos for your website, you really have 5 different options. You may use 1, or all of these options to create a high-quality site.

Utilise your best existing videos.
Take some top-quality new videos.
Hire a professional videographer.
Ask suppliers for product videos.
Use professional stock videos.

Whichever option/s you choose, you’ll want to ensure all your selected videos include the video essentials listed below. If they don’t, they’re simply NOT website-worthy.

How to Take and Select High-Quality Videos for Your Website

If you’re considering DIY videography (or using existing videos) it’s critical to consider clarity, balance, lighting, orientation, background, size, and file type, if you’re to achieve website-worthy videos.

Clarity
The video you’re considering must be 100% crystal clear. If the vidoe is fuzzy, blurry, pixelated, or unclear in any way at all, it’s not website-worthy.

Balance
If the object of focus in the centre, or the image itself is not aligned with the video’s outer frame, it’ll look wonky. In addition, a steady hand is essential when filming. Editing tools can adjust some videos to create balance (we charge extra for this), however it’s best if balance and focal points are considered before videos are taken.

Lighting
If images, products, people, or spaces look dark, or hard to see, you’re not placing your offer in the best light – literally. D.I.Y lighting is best achieved outside on an overcast day.

Orientation
You’ll need to ensure videos are fit for purpose in terms of orientation. Most website videos are landscape, so that’s your best bet, but on rare occasions portrait orientation is suitable.

Background
The background of an image matters. It’s important that product videos or office videos have a clean clear uncluttered background. Attention to detail creates a high-quality look and feel.

Size
All videos need to be a minimum 1920×1080 pixels (1080p, also known as Full HD or FHD) in MP4 file format. When the size isn’t right, videos may look blurry, pixelated, or warped once they’re uploaded to your website. Find out how to check the size of a video on Mac, iPhone, PC and Android below.

File type
All videos need to be submitted as MP4 files. In most cases, your videos will already be MP4’s but it pays to check. If they’re not the right file type, you can often use a file converter online to get the right file type. Find out how to check the file type of a video on Mac, iPhone, PC and Android below.

Quality Control Checklist for Website-Worthy Videos

Clarity – Crystal clear.
Balance – Centred and steady.
Lighting – Well lit.
Orientation – Landscape.
Background – Clean and clear.
Size – 1920×1080
File type – MP4’s.

If your selected videos tick all 7 boxes, then congratulations, it’s highly likely they’ve met Sky Media’s website-worthy quality control standards.

How to Check a Video’s Size and File Type

All videos need to be in MP4 format and a minimum of 1280x720px. To check the size, or file type of any video, follow the instructions for MacBook, iPhone, PC and Android below…

MacBook Instructions

Choose a video > CTRL + Right Click > Get Info > Kind (file type) and Dimensions (size)

iPhone Instructions

Choose a video > Click information icon (i) > Get Info > Kind (file type) and Dimensions (size). Simply pull up the video you’re interested in, click on it, then hit the little i for information button at the bottom of the screen and you’ll see the size and the file type. Easy.

Microsoft Desktop and Laptop Instructions

Choose a video > Right Click > Properties > Details > Kind (file type) and Dimensions (size).

Android Instructions

Open the video > more settings > then tap ‘Details’ to view video details.

How to Hire a Professional Videographer

Anyone can take a video, but a professional videographer knows how to take high-quality videos. Professional videographers are often specialists in one, or more of the following areas:

Product videography.
Property/real estate videography.
Commercial/industrial videography.
Landscape and/or aerial (drone) videography.
Food and beverage videography.
Event videography.
Fashion videography.
Action and sports videography.

If you’re interested in hiring a videographer, it’s wise to ask for examples of their previous work to ensure they’re able to deliver top-quality videos suitable for your business.

Looking to invest in professional videos? At Sky Media, we have access to professional videographers and drone operators starting at $400 + GST per hour, plus travel. Get in touch with our team to discuss.

How to Source Product Videos from Suppliers

If you’re an e-commerce store owner who sells products made by others, then it may be possible to source product videos from your suppliers? Many suppliers and manufacturers provide professional product videos to sellers for free because they know it’ll boost their sales too. If you’re able to source products from a supplier, then it’s best to check that those videos meet the standards outlined above.

Essentials for Product Videos

Product videos are best when they’re in the required video format MP4 with at least 1280x720px resolution.
Products sell best when the video is well lit.
Product videos should be muted, to have no sound, unless the product makes a sound, then that should be the only sound on the recording.
Product videos provided from multiple angles are more likely to sell online.
Products look best when placed in the centre of the video in front of a plain white background.

How to Select Professional Stock Videos

We can source a range of professional stock videos for as little as $50+GST per video. As an example, if you sell bathrooms, we can source stock videos of bathrooms. Sure, they’re not videos of what you’ve done, but they’re videos of what you do. In many cases, that’s enough to get your website live online.

Our web design and development team know how to select the right images for the right position on each website for a clean look and feel site wide. For this reason, sometimes it’s best to leave stock video sourcing to us, but if you’d like to select your own videos, here’s our top spot for high-quality stock videos:

Deposit Photos https://depositphotos.com/
If you find a video you like on Deposit Photos, be sure to save the Clip ID and send it to us via email, so we can source it for you at a discounted rate or as part of your package.

How to Submit Videos to Sky Media for Your Website

At Sky Media, you can submit your website-worthy videos via the following 3 ways:

Google Drive Folder https://www.google.com/drive/
Dropbox Folder https://www.dropbox.com/
Microsoft OneDrive https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/onedrive

Before submitting, please be sure to label your videos appropriately for easy identification e.g.

OfficeInside_HomePage.JPEG
OfficeOutside_ContactUsPage.JPEG
CompanyVehicles_AboutUsPage.JPEG
TeamAerial_AboutUsPage.JPEG
Bathrooms_Bathtub_ServicesPage.JPEG

With properly labelled videos, we’re able to save a lot of time and ensure all images get to the right place on your website. When you submit your videos to us, you’re confirming that all key decision-makers on your team have approved all the videos for use on the site.

By agreeing to Sky Media’s Limited Terms of Business, you agree that we may charge an additional fee for any time spent reorganising poorly labelled videos that are not fit for your website.

Google Drive Folder

https://www.google.com/drive/

Google > Google Drive > + New > New Folder Upload *Here you can upload a folder from your desktop

Dropbox Folder

https://www.dropbox.com/

Dropbox > Upload Folder (from your device) > Copy link > Share with Sky Media

Microsoft OneDrive Folder

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/onedrive

Click the ‘Upload’ button, then select the files/folders you want to upload to OneDrive.

Important: Be sure to add one of our team member’s email addresses to the folder with full permission to edit and then send us an email to be sure we’ve received your videos, as the system may not notify us automatically.

Now, you’re all set. We’re looking forward to creating an up-to-the-minute website that showcases your business in the best light online. Thank you for choosing Sky Media for your website’s design and development.

Apr 03 2025

How to Get High-Quality Photos for Your Website

By corey Tips and Guides

Back to Insights

Professional photos are a business investment, because high-quality website photos communicate the quality of a business’s products and services. Here you’ll find Sky Media’s helpful guidelines for identifying website-worthy photos for your site.

How to Take and Select High-Quality Photos

How to Check a Photo’s Size and File Type

How to Take High-Quality Team Photos

How to Hire a Professional Photographer

How to Source Product Photos from Suppliers

How to Select Professional Stock Photos

How to Submit Photos to Sky Media for Your Website

To get high-quality photos for your website, you have 5 different options. You could use 1 or all of these options to create a high-quality look across your website.

Utilise your best existing photos
Take some top-quality new photos
Hire a professional photographer
Ask suppliers/wholesalers for product photos
Use professional stock images from Deposit Photos

How to Take and Select High-Quality Photos

If you’re considering DIY photography (or using existing photos) it’s critical to consider clarity, balance, lighting, orientation, background, size, and file type, if you’re to achieve website-worthy photos.

Clarity
The image you’re considering must be 100% crystal clear. If the image is fuzzy, blurry, pixelated, or unclear in any way at all, it’s not website-worthy.

Balance
If the object of focus in the centre, or the image itself is not aligned with the photo’s outer frame, it’ll look wonky. Editing tools can adjust images to create balance (we charge extra for this), however it’s best if balance and focal points are considered before photos are taken.

Lighting
If images, products, people or spaces look dark, or hard to see, you’re not placing your offer in the best light – literally. D.I.Y lighting is best achieved outside on an overcast day.

Orientation
You’ll need to ensure photos are fit for purpose in terms of orientation. Most website photos are landscape, so that’s your best bet, but on rare occasions e.g staff photos, portrait orientation is suitable.

Background
The background of an image matters. It’s important that product images or staff photos have a clean clear uncluttered background that’s consistent. Attention to detail creates a high-quality look and feel.

Size
All photos need to be a minimum of 2400x1600px. When the size isn’t right, images may look blurry, pixelated or warped once they’re uploaded to your website. Find out how to check the size of a photo on Mac, iPhone, PC and Android below.

File Type
All photos need to be submitted as JPG, or PNG files. In most cases, your photos will already be JPG, JPEG, or PNG, but it pays to check. If they’re not the right file type, you can often use a file converter online to get the right file. Find out how to check the file type of a photo on Mac, iPhone, PC and Android below.

Quality Control Checklist for Website-Worthy Photos

Clarity – Crystal clear.
Balance – Centred and steady.
Lighting – Well lit.
Orientation – Landscape mostly, occasionally portrait.
Background – Clean and clear.
Size – 2400x1600px.
File type – JPG, JPEG, or PNG only.

If your selected photos tick all 7 boxes, then congratulations, it’s highly likely they’ve met Sky Media’s website-worthy quality control standards.

How to Check a Photo’s Size and File Type

All photos need to be a minimum of 2400x1600px. To check the size, or file type of any photo, follow the instructions for MacBook, iPhone, PC and Android below:

MacBook Instructions

Choose a photo > CTRL + Right Click > Get Info > Kind (file type) and Dimensions (size)

iPhone Instructions

Choose a photo > Click i > Get Info > Kind (file type) and Dimensions (size)Simply pull up the photo you’re interested in, click on it, then hit the little i for information button at the bottom of the screen and you’ll see the size and the file type, which is typically a PNG. Easy.

Microsoft Desktop and Laptop Instructions

Choose a photo > Right Click > Properties > Details > Kind (file type) and Dimensions (size)

Android Instructions

Open the image > more settings > then tap ‘Details’ to view image details

How to Take High-Quality Team Photos

Top-quality headshots or staff photos can be of great benefit to your business, because people feel more confident doing business with people they can see. All portraits and group photos must meet the photo essentials above, plus a couple of added points…

For team photos, it’s best to do them in house on the same day with the same background for consistency. If you’re asking team members to submit their own photo, then it’s wise to offer guidelines e.g

Plain white background
Good natural lighting with no shadows
Head and shoulders only
No sunglasses, or hats
Looking directly at the camera
Consider a team-wide dress code

Tip: It’s really important that people look directly at the camera and make sincere eye contact, because just like the real world, that’s what builds trust.

How to Hire a Professional Photographer

Anyone can take a photo, but a professional photographer knows how to take high-quality photos. Professional photographers are often specialists in one, or more of the following areas:

Portraiture and group photos
Product photography
Commercial/industrial photography
Food and beverage photography
Landscape and/or aerial photography
Event photography
Fashion photography
Action and sports photography
Property/real estate photography

If you’re interested in hiring a photographer, it’s wise to ask for examples of their previous work to ensure they’re able to deliver top-quality photos suitable for your business.

Looking to invest in professional photos? At Sky Media, we have access to professional photographers starting at $200 + GST per hour, plus travel. Get in touch with our team to discuss.

How to Source Product Photos from Suppliers

If you’re an e-commerce store owner who sells products made by others, then it may be possible to source product photos from your suppliers? Many suppliers and manufacturers provide professional product photos to sellers for free, because they know it’ll boost their sales too. If you’re able to source products from a supplier, then it’s best to check that those photos meet the standards outlined above.

Essentials for Product Photos

Product photos are best when they’re in a square format – 1500x1500px minimum.
Products sell best when the photo is well lit.
Products provided with shots from multiple angles are more likely to sell online.
Products look best when placed in the centre of the photo in front of a plain white background.

How to Select Professional Stock Photos

We can source a range of professional stock photos for as little as $20 + GST per photo. As an example, if you sell bathrooms, we can source stock photos of bathrooms. Sure, they’re not photos of what you’ve done, but they’re photos of what you do. In many cases, that’s enough to get your website live online.

Our web design and development team know how to select the right images for the right position on each website for a clean look and feel site wide. For this reason, sometimes it’s best to leave stock image sourcing to us, but if you’d like to select your own photos, here’s our top spot for high-quality stock photos:

Deposit Photos https://depositphotos.com/
If you find a photo you like on Deposit Photos, be sure to save the Image ID and send it to us via email, so we can source it for you at a discounted rate or as part of your package.

How to Submit Photos to Sky Media for Your Website

At Sky Media, you can submit your website-worthy photos via the following 3 ways:

Google Drive Folder https://www.google.com/drive/
Dropbox Folder https://www.dropbox.com/
Microsoft OneDrive https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/onedrive

Before submitting, please be sure to label your images appropriately for easy identification e.g

Headshot_CEO_Jacob_HomePage.JPEG
Office_Outside_ContactUsPage.JPEG
CompanyVehicles_AboutUsPage.JPEG
TeamPhoto_AboutUsPage.JPEG
Bathrooms_Bathtub_ServicesPage.JPEG

With properly labelled photos, we’re able to save a lot of time and ensure all images get to the right place on your website. When you submit your photos to us, you’re confirming that all key decision-makers on your team have approved all of the photos for use on the site.

By agreeing to Sky Media’s Limited Terms of Business, you agree that we may charge an additional fee for any time spent reorganising poorly labelled photos that are not fit for your website.

Google Drive Folder

https://www.google.com/drive/

Google > Google Drive > + New > New Folder Upload *Here you can upload a folder from your desktop

Dropbox Folder

https://www.dropbox.com/

Dropbox > Upload Folder (from your device) > Copy link > Share with Sky Media

Microsoft OneDrive Folder

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ww/microsoft-365/onedrive

Click the ‘Upload’ button, then select the files/folders you want to upload to OneDrive.

Important: Be sure to add one of our team member’s email addresses to the folder with full permission to edit and then send us an email to be sure we’ve received your photos, as the system may not notify us automatically.

Mar 25 2025

Did You Know the First Impression of Your Home Page Counts?

By corey Web Design

Back to Insights

Your Home Page Matters More than You Might Think… The Home Page of your website is one of the most visited pages on your site and therefore it’s one of the most important pages.

When people land on your site, the first page they’ll see, more often than not, is your Home Page. In a matter of seconds (around 3 seconds on average) your site visitors will decide if you have what they’re looking for, and if you’re the best business to deliver.

From a visitor’s perspective, a poor-quality website, might mean a poor-quality product? Mistakes in the web copy, could mean mistakes in the real world? Outdated design could mean outdated tools? A slow, or frustrating experience online, could mean poor customer service and wasted time in real life? On the flip side, a modern easy-to-use website suggests a modern hassle-free company, while flawless copy suggests a fine attention to detail, and finally, high-quality imagery, or design gives the impression of a high-quality product, or service. What is your current website communicating to the world?

The first priority of a high-quality website should always be to capture attention in less than 3 seconds, while the next priority is to hold attention. A well-designed website will impress visitors with attractive words and images, build a sense of trust in the viewer, and clearly communicate the benefits of the offer, and how it exists to meet their needs. This top-quality approach places a business in the best light, making it the obvious choice against a whole host of competition.

A competitive strategically designed website will ensure site visitors are inclined to take the desired action e.g requesting a quote, making a purchase or signing up for an event. We use well-placed easy-to-use calls to action (CTA’s) to ensure site visitors can easily enquire, or buy, as soon as they make up their mind that they’re on the right website.

Yes, it literally pays to have a well-designed website, so modern business owners would be well placed to think of it as an investment, or an asset, rather than a business expense. At the end of the day, when a website meets, or better-yet exceed the expectations of visitors, they’ll more than likely stay. If it fails, they’ll leave and go elsewhere at the click of a button – It’s really that simple. The quality and ease-of-use of a website is the competitive advantage online. Is your website fit to meet your potential client’s needs? If it’s not yet fit to fly, that’s Sky Media’s specialty.