How to set up a tailoring and styling profile in New Zealand

What to include on your Websta profile

Your profile is a storefront for your work. Start with a clear description of what you do - whether that is alterations, custom tailoring, styling, garment repairs, or a mix of services. Include a photo of yourself if you feel comfortable doing so, and at least three to five photos of finished work: completed alterations, custom pieces, or styling consultations. Show the range of what you offer - hemming, jacket adjustments, wedding dress work, menswear tailoring, or personal shopping, depending on your skills.

Add each service you offer as a separate listing with a brief description of what it covers. Include the area or areas you service - whether you work from a fixed location in one city, travel to clients, or work by appointment. If you alter specific types of garments or work with particular fabrics, mention that. Customers searching for tailors and stylists in New Zealand use the marketplace on Websta and will filter by location and service type, so clarity helps them find you.

• A working photo or professional headshot
• At least three to five photos of finished alterations or styled outfits
• Clear service descriptions for each offering
• Your service area or areas (by suburb, town, or region)
• Whether you offer in-person appointments, home visits, or online consultations
• Languages you work in (English, te reo Māori, or others)

Photos that help customers decide

Photos are the most important part of your profile. Customers cannot feel fabric or see fit through text alone. Take photos of garments before and after alteration if possible - a hem before and after, a jacket with taken-in sides, trousers shortened. If you do styling work, include photos of outfits you have put together or clients have worn (with permission). Lighting and focus matter; use natural light if you can and make sure the work is clearly visible.

If you are starting out and do not have client photos yet, photograph your own work or ask friends if you can photograph alterations you do for them. Over time, build a portfolio as you complete jobs. Customers browse profiles by images first, so this is worth investing time in.

How people search for tailors and stylists in New Zealand

On Websta, customers search by service and location. Someone in Auckland looking for trouser hemming will enter 'tailoring' or 'hemming' and filter by Auckland or their suburb. Someone in Christchurch might search for 'wedding dress alterations' or 'styling'. Because New Zealand is geographically spread out, location matters a lot - customers want to know if you are nearby or willing to travel to them.

Word of mouth is still the main way customers find tailors and stylists in New Zealand. Websta profiles appear in local search results and the marketplace, which means existing customers can find and refer you more easily, and new customers in your area can discover you when they search for your service type.

Booking and quote requests

Websta allows you to set up online booking for appointments or invite customers to request a quote. Many tailoring and styling jobs benefit from a quote system - a customer uploads a photo or description of what they need, you review it, and you send them a price. You can also use the booking feature to schedule in-person consultations where you measure, discuss the work, and agree on a price.

Choose whichever method suits your work. Some tailors prefer phone calls to discuss details. Others handle everything through messages. A Websta profile lets you offer the method that works best for you.

What to check about working as an independent provider

In New Zealand, a sole trader (self-employed tailor or stylist) must be registered for GST if their annual turnover is above the threshold. You should also check your local council's rules about running a home-based business, especially if you plan to have customers visit your home. Council rules vary by region, so contact your local council planning department to confirm what applies to you.

If you hire staff or subcontractors, different employment rules apply. For now, confirm with the IRD (Inland Revenue) what registration and tax requirements you need to meet, and check with your local council about home-based business permissions in your area. Payment processing is handled through Stripe, which manages card payments from customers and pays out to your own bank account.

Languages to publish in

Publish your profile in the languages you actually work in. If you speak English and te reo Māori, use both. If you work only in English, that is fine - most customers will search in English. Do not add a language you do not speak fluently, as this can cause confusion about services or pricing.

What to write in your first hour

You do not need everything perfect on day one. Start by writing a short paragraph about what you do and who you serve - for example, 'I specialise in trouser alterations, jacket tailoring, and wedding dress adjustments. I work from my studio in Ponsonby and also visit clients across Auckland.' Add your service area and list the three main services you offer most often. Upload two or three of your best photos of finished work. That is a working profile.

Add your contact method (online booking, quote request, or phone number). As you get more work and take better photos, expand your portfolio. The profile will improve over time as customers leave feedback and you add more examples of your work.