How to build a Websta profile as a tutor or teacher in New Zealand

What goes on your profile page

Your Websta profile is a basic web presence. It shows who you are, what you teach, how people can contact you, and how they can book a session or ask for a quote. Unlike a full website, it is simple to set up and lives alongside other tutors and teachers on the Websta platform.

Start with a clear profile photo - a headshot where people can see your face. Add a short bio that says what subjects or age groups you teach and how long you have been teaching. If you teach multiple subjects or levels, list them. For example: primary maths tutoring, secondary English, IELTS preparation, piano lessons for beginners.

Write a short description of how you work - for instance, whether you teach one-to-one, in small groups, online, in person, or a mix. Mention any qualifications or experience that matter to your students or their parents. Keep this practical and honest, not promotional.

Add a photo or two of your teaching space if you teach from home or a studio. If you teach online, a photo of yourself is enough. Photos help people decide whether to get in touch.

Services and booking options

List each service as a separate item. For a tutor, services might be: Year 5-6 maths tutoring, NCEA Level 2 physics, conversational English for adults, or piano lessons. Be specific about the level or age group. People search by subject and place, so clear service titles help them find you.

Decide whether you want to offer online booking, quote requests, or both. Online booking works well if you have fixed rates and set availability - for example, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5-7 pm. Quote requests let people describe what they need, and you reply with details. Many tutors use both: online booking for ongoing students and quote requests for people asking about something specific.

Languages for your profile

Publish your profile in English. English is the main language for business in New Zealand, and almost all people searching for tutors here will look in English.

If you teach in te reo Maori, note that in your service title and description. If you teach other languages - Spanish, Mandarin, French - mention the level you teach (beginner, intermediate, NCEA) so people know what to expect.

How people in New Zealand find tutors

Websta has a marketplace where people nearby search for tutors and teachers by subject and location. They can also post a task describing what they need - for instance, 'I need help with Year 10 maths before exams' - and tutors can make offers.

People search by suburb, town or city, and by subject or service. If you teach in Auckland, people in Auckland will find you when they search for your subjects in that area. Your profile shows your location and what you teach.

Some people come to Websta already knowing they need a tutor. Others browse services in their area and see what is available. A clear service title and honest description help both types of people decide whether to contact you.

What to check about working as an independent provider

You can set up a Websta profile as a sole trader or as a business. Websta processes payments through Stripe, which pays earnings into your own bank account. You keep control of your prices and booking.

Check with the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) about tax obligations if you are new to self-employment. You may need to register for GST depending on your turnover, and you will need to file tax returns on your tutoring income.

If you teach children, check whether you need to be part of a teacher registration or vetting scheme in New Zealand. The New Zealand Teachers Council or your regional education authority can advise on this.

Some tutors teach from home; others meet students at libraries or cafes, or teach online. Check any local rules about using a home address for business if that applies to you. If you rent, check your tenancy agreement.

What to write in your first hour

Start with your profile photo and a one-sentence description of what you teach. For example: 'Secondary mathematics tutor, Years 9-13, one-to-one and small groups.'

List your main services - one or two to start. You can add more later. Write a short paragraph about how you work and who you teach. Keep it factual: how many years you have taught, what qualifications you have, whether you teach online, in person, or both.

Add the days and times you are usually available. This helps people know when they can book. If your schedule changes week to week, mention that you prefer quote requests so you can check availability.

Choose online booking, quote requests, or both. If online booking, set a few time slots to begin with. If quote requests, write a short note explaining that you will reply within 24 hours.

Once your profile is live, you can add photos, more services, and refine your description as you go.

Contact and payment

Your Websta profile includes a contact form. People can send you a message through the platform, or if you offer online booking, they book and pay through Websta. All payments go to your own bank account via Stripe.

Respond to messages quickly - ideally within a day. People choose a tutor partly on how quickly they hear back.