Set up your gardening profile on Websta in New Zealand

What your Websta profile page should contain

Your Websta profile acts as a simple website for your gardening business. Customers in your area use it to understand what you do, see photos of your work, and get in touch. Start with the essentials.

Add a clear description of the services you offer. This might include lawn maintenance, hedge trimming, garden design, planting, soil preparation, or removal of garden waste. Be specific about what you actually do rather than listing every possibility. If you specialize - say, native plantings or organic methods - mention that.

Upload photos of your completed work. Gardening is visual; photos of gardens you have maintained, before-and-after shots of landscaping projects, or examples of your planting designs help people decide whether to contact you. Aim for clear, well-lit images that show the finished result.

Set up a way for customers to request quotes or book your time. Websta lets you offer online booking for fixed services or a contact form where customers describe their job and you provide a quote. For gardening, a quote request form often works better because each garden and job is different.

Include your location. Customers search by area, so make it clear which parts of New Zealand you cover - whether that is your suburb, region, or a wider area. If you travel to job sites, say how far you are willing to go.

Which language to use

Publish your profile in English. English is the main business language in New Zealand. A small number of customers may speak te reo Maori at home, but commercial services are almost always listed in English. You do not need to translate your profile.

How customers search for gardeners in New Zealand

People in New Zealand find local services through several routes. Many start with a Google search for 'gardener near me' or 'gardening services' plus their suburb or region. Websta appears in local search results when customers look this way.

On Websta itself, the marketplace at /marketplace/garden shows gardeners by location. Customers browse by service type - for example, lawn maintenance or hedge trimming - and then filter by area. If you set your location correctly on your profile, you will appear when someone nearby searches for gardening help.

Word of mouth and Google reviews still matter. A Websta profile with photos of your work makes it easier for satisfied customers to refer you to others. Make sure your profile is complete so that when someone clicks through, they find enough information to decide.

Independent work and tax

In New Zealand, if you work as a gardener for yourself - not as an employee of a garden maintenance company - you are self-employed. You will need to sort out your tax obligations before you start or very early on.

Register with Inland Revenue (IRD) for a tax identification number if you do not have one. You must declare your income from gardening work to IRD each tax year. If your annual income is over a certain threshold, you may need to register for Goods and Services Tax (GST). Check the current GST threshold on the IRD website, as it can change.

Keep records of your income and expenses - equipment, fuel, materials, phone costs. These help you complete your tax return and may mean you can claim deductions. Speak to an accountant or tax adviser if you are unsure; the cost of advice is usually worth it.

As for business registration, sole traders in New Zealand do not have to register their business name, but it is a good idea to do so if you want to operate under a trading name rather than your own name. Check the Companies Office website for the process.

Insurance and liability

Before you take on clients, check what insurance you need. Public liability insurance protects you if you damage a customer's property or someone is injured while you are working. This is not legally required for all sole traders, but many customers will expect you to have it, and it is sensible protection.

Talk to an insurance broker or your bank about the right cover for gardening work. The cost varies, but public liability is standard in the industry.

Keep a record of the jobs you do, who you did them for, and when. This helps if a customer later raises a concern.

Payment and banking

On Websta, customers pay by card. The money goes to your own bank account through Stripe. You set the prices for your services and quote requests. Make sure you have a current bank account in your name and that you understand any fees your bank charges for business accounts.

Keep track of what you earn and what you spend. This is essential for your tax return and for understanding whether your gardening work is profitable.

What to write in the first hour

Start simple. You do not need to have everything perfect to launch. In your first hour, write a clear one-paragraph description of what you do. For example: 'I maintain residential gardens across Auckland, including lawn mowing, hedge trimming, and seasonal planting. I also handle small landscaping projects and garden tidy-ups.' Be honest about your area.

Upload three to five photos of your best work. If you do not have photos yet, take some on your phone the next time you finish a job.

Set up a quote request form so customers can describe their job and you can respond with a price. This is better than trying to list fixed prices for gardening, which varies greatly.

Add your phone number and email so people can reach you directly. Websta handles contact forms, but also give your direct contact details.

Choose your location on the map. Get this right so you appear when local customers search.

That is enough to start. You can add more detail, more photos, and more services later as you go.