What Spinning Planet does

Spinning Planet Limited is a privately held, founder-operated web design and internet marketing services company headquartered in Sanson (Manawatu region), New Zealand, founded in 2002 by Brynn Neilson and operating with 1-10 employees. It designs, builds, and hosts websites for New Zealand SMBs and not-for-profit organisations, with an emphasis on local search visibility, mobile compatibility, and e-commerce capability for GST-registered businesses. The company's product architecture is built on the open-source e107 CMS extended by a suite of proprietary modules — including a custom E-Commerce Shopping Cart with Fastway/Courier Post shipping integration, a behavior-based Intrusion Detection System, a Bayesian/international-database hybrid anti-spam system, a Newsletter System compliant with the NZ Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, a Promo Box plugin, an SEO/FURLs module, and the Brynux Linux distribution — all hosted on Google Cloud Compute with nightly/monthly backups.

Revenue is generated through three streams: one-time project fees for website packages (Pro Website Package from NZD 5,134 + GST; Webshop Special at NZD 999 + GST), modular add-ons (E-Commerce NZD 2,100, Gallery NZD 616, Form Builder NZD 385, SEO NZD 559, Product Catalog from NZD 700-3,500, etc.), and recurring hosting at NZD 41.75/month plus consulting at NZD 140-500/hour. The go-to-market is direct and remote: free website strategy teleconferences convert inbound traffic from SEO, blog content, the Meta Tag Analyzer free tool, and client referrals. The company has a ComputerWorld award and a single-tier, NZ-domestic customer base spanning aviation training (Airway Skills), healthcare not-for-profits (NZ Ambulance Association, Bulls Flying Doctor), trade services (Canterbury Scaffolding, GV Lock & Key), and enterprise (Transfield Worley, Stephen Larsen and Co), with no disclosed external funding.

Operationally, Spinning Planet has been bootstrapped since inception, transitioned to a fully remote staff model, and implemented GDPR/CCPA-aligned privacy practices. Its competitive positioning rests on proprietary tooling bundled into client deliverables, founder-driven expertise, and hyper-local NZ SEO dominance rather than on a venture-scale technology platform or recurring SaaS revenue model.

Name

Spinning Planet

Legal name

Spinning Planet Limited

Website

https://spinningplanet.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Spinning Planet Limited is a founder-operated New Zealand web design and internet marketing agency (est. 2002, Sanson) that builds, hosts, and markets modular e107-based websites and e-commerce stores for NZ small and medium businesses and not-for-profits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Sanson

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Website Design and Development: One-time fees for professional website design packages including the Pro Website Package ($5,134 + GST) and Webshop Special ($999 + GST). Includes custom design concepts, content management system setup, SEO optimization, and training.
2. Web Hosting Services: Monthly recurring hosting fees for website hosting on Google Cloud Compute. Includes email accounts, SSL certificates, nightly and monthly backups. Domain name registration available separately.
3. Additional Website Features and Modules: One-time and monthly fees for optional modules including E-Commerce ($2,100 + GST), Gallery ($616 + GST), Form Builder ($385 + GST), Event Calendar ($616 + GST), Newsletter System ($614.90 + GST setup + $49.95/month), Blog ($280 + GST), SEO ($559 + GST), Google Locations ($420 + GST), Product Catalog ($1,330 + GST), and Custom Programming.
4. Internet Marketing Services: SEO services ($559 + GST one-time), Google AdWords campaign setup ($280 + GST), Social Media Business Page setup ($280 + GST), and ongoing consulting. Video production starting at $560 + GST for 2 hours filming and editing.
5. Support Services: Free support included with hosting for email setup, website troubleshooting, and CMS training. Charged support at $140/hour standard rate or $250/hour emergency rate for work beyond initial project scope.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Spinning Planet designs and builds professional websites for New Zealand businesses, combining custom web design, e-commerce, and internet marketing services built on the e107 CMS extended with proprietary modules. Its core deliverable is the Pro Website Package (from $5,134 + GST), supported by recurring web hosting (~$41.75/month), the budget Webshop Special e-commerce package ($999 + GST), and add-on modules for shopping cart, SEO, newsletter, gallery, and custom programming. The company also provides SEO, Google AdWords, social media page setup, and video production to drive client traffic and conversions.

Product overview

Spinning Planet offers a platform-plus-modules architecture built on the e107 open source CMS. The core offering is the Professional Website Package providing custom website design, hosting, SEO, and ongoing support. This core platform can be extended through numerous plug-in modules including the E-Commerce Shopping Cart System, Newsletter System, Blog, Gallery, Form Builder, Event Calendar, Promo Box, Image Cross Fade, Google Locations, Product Catalog, and Social Media Business Pages. Additional services include SEO optimization, Custom Programming, Video Production, and Google AdWords Campaign setup. The company also offers a budget sub-brand called Webshop Special for rapid e-commerce deployment, along with proprietary tools like the Brynux Operating System and Intrusion Detection System for security. All websites are hosted on Google's Cloud Compute platform and include free NZ-based support with a 100% money back guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Website Package (Pro Website Package) Complete custom website design and development service for New Zealand businesses, including custom design concepts, content management system setup, SEO optimization, hosting setup, training, and ongoing support. Priced from $5,134 + GST and backed by a 100% money-back guarantee.
• Webshop Special Budget e-commerce website package for NZ businesses at $999 + GST, featuring the Crystal Design Template, shopping cart, promo box, and blog with reduced customization hours for rapid deployment. Includes NZ-tailored shipping (Fastway, Courier Post), local payment gateways (PayPal, PaymentExpress, Paystation, Google Wallet), and GST handling.
• Web Hosting Service Monthly or annual recurring website hosting on Google Cloud Compute platform including 10 email accounts, SSL/HTTPS, 10,000MB webspace, database support, and PHP5. Includes free NZ-based consultation meetings and 24/7 reliability with nightly and monthly backups. Priced at $41.75/month or $495/year.
• SEO Service One-time search engine optimization setup for NZ businesses ($559 + GST) including competitor analysis, keyword research via Google AdWords Keyword Planner, metadata optimization, search-engine-friendly URLs, Google My Business submission, and manual search engine submission. No ongoing fees.
• Custom Programming Service Custom web functionality development within the e107 CMS framework, including integrations with third-party databases, quote calculators, booking systems, and specialized business management systems. Projects delivered for clients such as Stephen Larsen and Co (PROHUB integration) and Coural Rural Couriers (custom parcel booking system).
• Google AdWords Campaign Setup Pay-per-click advertising setup and management for Google search results, with $100 of advertising budget included. Priced at $280 + GST per campaign.
• Video Production Broadcast-quality video production service for clients, including aerial drone footage and TV advertisement production with professional editing. Starts at $560 + GST for 2 hours of filming and editing.
• Social Media Business Page Setup Social media business page creation service for Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter with strategy guidance and posting best practices. Priced at $240-$280 + GST.

Quantifiable outcome

• Websites completed within 30 days of content supply
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Feature8 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• WordPress.com: Managed WordPress hosting and site builder serving SMBs globally. Competes indirectly with Spinning Planet's e107-based stack by offering a far larger plugin/theme ecosystem and developer talent pool.
• Web.com: SMB-focused web design, hosting, and digital marketing provider. Operates in the same 'website + marketing services for small business' category as Spinning Planet, though at a much larger scale and primarily in North America.
• Shopify: Dominant hosted e-commerce platform for SMBs globally, including in NZ. Comparable as the leading alternative for SMBs wanting a turnkey webshop, eroding the value of Spinning Planet's custom-built e-commerce shopping cart.
• GoDaddy: Full-stack SMB web services provider offering domains, hosting, website builder, marketing, and commerce tools globally including NZ. Comparable as a one-stop, lower-cost alternative that compresses Spinning Planet's value proposition on price and convenience.
• Squarespace: Global DIY website builder offering templated sites, hosting, commerce, and marketing tools aimed at SMBs and creators. Comparable as the dominant self-serve alternative to Spinning Planet's bespoke design-and-build service for the same SMB target market.
• Wix: Leading DIY website builder with hosting, e-commerce, and SEO/marketing features for SMBs. Directly competes for the same NZ SMB design-and-hosting budget that Spinning Planet targets, though via self-serve rather than service-led delivery.

Direct peers

• Springload: Wellington-based NZ digital agency offering web design, development, and digital services. Directly comparable as a similarly sized NZ design and web services peer competing for the same enterprise and government clients.
• Affinity: NZ-based digital creative agency providing web design, branding, and digital marketing. Comparable as a domestic NZ competitor addressing overlapping SMB and mid-market clients.
• The Engine Room: New Zealand digital agency delivering web development, design, and digital strategy for NZ organizations. Directly comparable as a domestic peer competing for the same NZ-based web design and marketing engagements.

Emerging players

• Webflow: Visual web design and hosting platform aimed at designers and design-led SMBs. Comparable as a more modern, design-centric alternative that increasingly attracts the same premium-SMB and design-conscious segment Spinning Planet targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Spinning_Planet
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/spinningplanet
• Facebookfacebook.com/spinningplanet
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spinning-planet-limited

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spinning Planet