FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Everything you need to know about working with Control Shift. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch.
Getting Started
How do I get started with a project?
Do you offer free consultations?
Yes. We offer an initial conversation to understand your project and provide honest guidance on the best approach. From there, we can put together a clear proposal, or recommend a trusted partner if your project is better suited elsewhere.
How much does a website cost?
It depends on scope, complexity and how much we’re handling. Most projects sit between a few thousand and a few tens of thousands of dollars. We always provide a clear, fixed proposal so there are no surprises.
How long does a typical project take?
Timeframes vary depending on scope, content readiness and design complexity. Most projects move into development once design is signed off and content is finalised. We’ll always provide a realistic timeline at the proposal stage.
Are you the right fit for my project?
We work best with growing businesses and agencies who value reliability, long-term partnerships and proper care. If you want a quick, cheap site and to never speak to your developer again, we’re probably not the right team for you, and that’s okay.
What if my current developer has gone quiet?
You’re not alone, this happens more than you’d think. We can help you regain access, take over your site, and become the team you should have had from the start. No judgement, just a way forward.
Web Development
Why do you only work with WordPress?
Because being a generalist means being average at everything. We’ve spent years getting genuinely good at one platform, which means faster builds, fewer surprises, and a team that’s seen pretty much every WordPress problem before. If WordPress isn’t right for your project, we’ll happily point you toward a partner who can help.
Do you build websites from scratch or work from an existing design?
Both. We can take a finished design from your designer or design partner, or for simpler builds we can handle the design in-house. For more complex projects, we work alongside trusted design partners.
Do you offer design services?
We focus on development and collaborate with designers. We can offer in-house design for simpler projects, and work with specialist design partners for more complex or high-end builds. This means we can cater for a wide range of businesses while still ensuring professional design outcomes.
Do you build e-commerce websites?
Yes, for small to medium WooCommerce stores. For larger or more complex e-commerce projects, we work with trusted partners who specialise in high-volume stores, advanced workflows and integrations.
Do you handle custom software or web applications?
Not directly. For complex, software-style projects such as custom systems, platforms or advanced applications, we work with trusted development partners. If you’re already hosted with Control Shift, we can manage this work on your behalf. Otherwise, we’ll refer you to the right specialist.
What page builders do you use?
We work with Elementor, Divi and WPBakery. Limiting ourselves to these keeps our builds consistent and makes ongoing care simpler and more reliable.
Will I be able to make changes to my website myself?
Yes. Every site we build is set up so you can easily update content, swap images and add new pages without needing a developer. We provide training after launch and we’re always around if you’d rather we handle it for you.
Do you work on existing websites?
Yes, as long as the website is hosted with Control Shift. Our systems, tools and workflows are built around our own hosting environment, so we need the site to be with us to support it properly. If your site is built by us but hosted elsewhere, we won’t be able to maintain it long-term unless it’s moved across.
What if I need changes after launch?
That’s what our care plans are for. We can make changes, add features, fix issues and keep things moving as your business evolves. You’ll always have a real person to talk to, not a ticket queue.
Hosting
What's included in your managed hosting?
NZ-based support, daily backups, malware scans, SSL certificates, server-side updates, monthly WordPress and plugin updates, uptime monitoring, email delivery monitoring, and licences for the standard plugins we build with. The technical stuff, handled.
Why do I have to host with Control Shift?
Because we can’t guarantee performance, security or reliability on environments we don’t control. Hosting and development go hand-in-hand for us, which is what allows us to deliver the kind of long-term care we’re known for.
Where are your servers located?
Our hosting runs on Cloudways infrastructure with servers located in Sydney, Australia. This gives NZ visitors fast load times while keeping everything within a secure, high-performance environment.
Is my website actually backed up?
Yes, daily. Backups are stored offsite and we test our restore process regularly. If something ever goes wrong, we can have your site back online quickly.
What if my site goes down?
We monitor uptime 24/7 and get notified the moment something’s wrong, often before you even notice. Most issues are resolved before they affect anything. If something bigger happens, we’re on it straight away.
Do you offer email or email hosting?
No. Email is a specialist IT service and best handled by professionals who do it full-time. We work with trusted IT partners and can introduce you to the right people.
Do you manage domains and DNS?
Yes. We can manage your domains, renewals and DNS as part of your website setup and ongoing care. If you already have an IT company managing this, we’re happy to work alongside them.
Can you migrate my existing site to your hosting?
Yes. We handle the entire migration with zero downtime, including testing everything before we switch over. You don’t lift a finger.
Care
What's the difference between hosting and care?
Hosting keeps your website online, secure and maintained. Care keeps it improving. Care includes ongoing development time, content updates, design tweaks and the kind of attention that stops small issues becoming big ones.
Do I need to host with Control Shift to get a care plan?
Yes. Our care plans only work for sites we host. Our systems, monitoring and workflows are built around our hosting environment, which is what allows us to deliver the kind of fast, reliable care we’re known for. If your site is hosted elsewhere, we’d need to migrate it across first, which is something we handle as part of getting you set up.
How quickly do you respond to support requests?
Most requests get a real human response within a few hours during business hours. Urgent issues are picked up faster. You’ll never be left wondering whether someone’s seen your message.
Do I get a set number of hours each month?
Yes. Our care plans include monthly hours that can be used for content changes, design tweaks, new features or whatever needs attention. Anything left over rolls into the next month.
What happens if I need more time than my plan covers?
We’ll let you know before any work goes over your included hours. You can either bump up to a larger plan or pay for the extra time at our standard rate. No surprises on your invoice.
Can I cancel my care plan if I need to?
Yes, with notice. We don’t lock anyone into long contracts. If we’re not the right fit, we’d rather you say so than feel stuck. Hosting can continue separately on its own terms if you just want to pause care.
Why is care recommended with every site you build?
Because a website isn’t a project with an end date. It’s an asset that needs looking after. Hosting keeps it safe and online, but care keeps it evolving with your business. The two work hand in hand, which is why we recommend both from day one.
Agencies & White Label
How does white-label work?
We become your invisible WordPress team. You manage the client relationship, we handle the development. Your client never needs to know we exist unless you want them to.
Do you require a finished design before development?
Yes. We need the design fully signed off, content finalised and any functionality decisions made before development begins. This keeps projects on time, on budget and free of late-stage scope creep.
Can you work directly with our clients if needed?
Yes, either under your brand or ours. Some agencies prefer us to handle the client conversation directly once the design is signed off. Others keep us in the background entirely. Whatever works best for you.
What happens after the site launches?
The site moves onto one of our managed hosting plans, which means hosting, updates, support and ongoing development are all handled by us. You keep the relationship and the credit, we keep the site running.
Do you have a minimum project size?
Not really. We work on everything from small brochure builds to large multisite networks. If a project is the right fit for both of us, we’re keen.
Why should we trust you with our clients?
Because we treat your clients like our own. We’re reliable, responsive and we communicate clearly. The agencies we work with stick around because we make them look good, not because they’re locked in.
Do you work with other agencies or specialists?
Yes. We regularly collaborate with trusted partners across design, digital marketing and custom development. This allows us to stay focused on what we do best, while ensuring clients still get expert support in areas outside our core services.
Tools & Integrations
Do you support third-party tools like Zapier, Make or Calendly?
We can add third-party tools to your website and make sure they’re technically embedded correctly. However, we don’t configure, manage or support the third-party platforms themselves. These tools operate outside of WordPress and are best supported by the provider or a specialist familiar with that platform.
Do you build or support custom APIs or integrations?
No. We don’t build or maintain custom APIs or complex integrations. These projects require ongoing specialist support and introduce significant long-term complexity. Where needed, we can recommend trusted partners who specialise in this type of work.
Can you add tracking and analytics code to my site?
Yes. We can implement technical requirements provided by your SEO or marketing team, including meta titles and descriptions, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and any header scripts or schema supplied to us. We don’t manage the strategy behind these tools, but we can make sure they’re installed correctly.
Do you offer SEO or digital marketing?
No. We don’t provide SEO strategy, SEM, analytics management or content optimisation. However, we work with trusted digital marketing partners and can recommend the right specialist based on your needs.
General
Where are you located?
We’re based at 253 Queen Street, Auckland CBD. Our team is all NZ-based, which means faster response times and support that understands the local market.
Do you work with clients outside of New Zealand?
Yes, we work with clients both in New Zealand and overseas. However, our systems, support and hosting are optimised for New Zealand-based businesses and time zones.
What types of businesses do you work with?
We work with established and growing businesses that see their website as a long-term investment and value working with specialists. Our clients typically want a reliable website, ongoing care and a technical partner they can trust.
How do I get started?
The best first step is to get in touch through our website. We will ask a few questions to understand your goals, then let you know if we are the right fit and what the next steps would look like.
Who founded Control Shift?
Control Shift was founded in 2018 by two Kiwi cousins who wanted to build a web development business where trust, communication and long-term relationships actually mattered. It’s now led by Paul Stockton, with a team of specialists supporting businesses and agencies across New Zealand.
What makes Control Shift different?
Support is in our DNA. Before starting Control Shift, our founder spent seven years in IT support. Looking after people isn’t something we added as a service, it’s where we came from. That’s the difference you’ll feel every time you work with us.
Do you provide a contract?
Yes. Every project or ongoing service comes with a clear agreement that sets out what’s included, timelines, costs and how we work together. No surprises.
What's the best way to get in touch?
Use the contact form on our website, email [email protected], or call 09 390 7975. We respond to everything personally, usually within a few hours.