SilverStripe Web Design
Silverstripe Web Design and CMS Development in NZ
NZ Digital is an Auckland-based Silverstripe agency. We design, build, and support Silverstripe CMS websites and applications for businesses and government organisations across New Zealand, including projects on the Common Web Platform (CWP). We have over 10 years of Silverstripe experience.
What Is Silverstripe and Why Use It in New Zealand?
Silverstripe is a New Zealand-built, open-source content management system (CMS) and PHP framework used to power websites, intranets, and web applications. It is widely adopted by NZ government agencies through the Common Web Platform (CWP) and by businesses that need a secure, flexible alternative to WordPress.
Silverstripe Website Design and Build
We design and build Silverstripe websites for NZ businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profits. Every project includes UX design, custom theme development, CMS configuration, and content migration.
Silverstripe Intranets and Web Applications
We build secure intranets, CRMs and custom web applications on the Silverstripe framework. The platform’s enterprise-grade architecture suits organisations that need fine-grained user permissions, audit trails and integration with internal systems.
Common Web Platform (CWP) Development
NZ Digital builds and maintains Silverstripe sites on the Common Web Platform (CWP), the New Zealand government’s official hosting and development framework. We are familiar with CWP’s security requirements, accessibility standards and the procurement process used by government agencies.
Silverstripe Migration and Upgrade
Moving from Silverstripe 3 to Silverstripe 5? Or migrating from another CMS like WordPress or Drupal? We handle Silverstripe migrations and version upgrades, including database schema updates, custom module rewrites, and theme rebuilds.
Ongoing Silverstripe Support and Maintenance
After launch, we provide ongoing SilverStripe support: security patching, version updates, performance monitoring, content edits, and new feature development. Most of our clients are on a monthly retainer.
The numbers
Why Silverstripe Is a Strong Choice for NZ Businesses and Government
Silverstripe is a free, open-source CMS and framework used to build and maintain websites and web applications. It includes a web-based admin panel with a WYSIWYG editor that lets non-technical content editors update the site without needing developer help.
Built for Editors and Developers
Silverstripe gives content editors a clean, intuitive admin panel for day-to-day updates, while giving developers a full PHP framework underneath for custom builds. Unlike off-the-shelf platforms, Silverstripe does not force you to compromise on either side. This combination makes it well-suited to complex sites where editors need autonomy and developers need flexibility: the typical profile for government, education, and enterprise projects.
Did you know
Over 6,900 New Zealand websites currently run on Silverstripe, including government agencies, councils, and businesses.
Source: trends.builtwith.com/cms/SilverStripe
Silverstripe vs WordPress:
When to Choose Silverstripe. Silverstripe suits projects that need fine-grained user permissions, custom workflows, or government-level security. WordPress suits projects that need a fast launch with a large plugin ecosystem. We build on both and recommend Silverstripe when the underlying requirements are too specific for off-the-shelf WordPress.
Common Use Cases for Silverstripe in NZ
• Government and council websites (CWP-hosted)
• Tertiary education and school sites with complex user roles
• Membership and association websites
• Internal intranets with restricted access
• Custom web applications with bespoke business logic
What Makes an NZ Digital Silverstripe Build Different
10+ Years of Silverstripe Experience
CWP and Government Project Experience
Fast, Secure, SEO-Friendly Builds (with the 80+ PageSpeed guarantee)
Expert UX DesignH3: Accurate Analytics and Conversion Tracking
SilverStripe Development NZ FAQ’s
SilverStripe is an intuitive open-source content management system and flexible framework loved by editors and developers alike. Originally developed in New Zealand, it powers websites, intranets and digital platforms with a clean editing interface and a powerful PHP-based framework underneath. SilverStripe CMS works by separating content management from custom development, making it easy to update pages while supporting advanced functionality.
Yes, SilverStripe is an excellent choice for government and enterprise websites. It powers the New Zealand Government Common Web Platform (CWP) and is trusted by enterprise organisations across NZ. The platform is enterprise-ready, secure, accessible and built for managing complex websites or intranets, making SilverStripe development a leading choice for public sector and large-scale projects.
SilverStripe is more developer-focused with a stricter framework structure, ideal for custom-built enterprise websites and complex digital platforms. WordPress is more plugin-driven and easier for non-technical users to manage independently. SilverStripe offers stronger security, cleaner code and better suitability for government or enterprise projects, while WordPress wins on ease of use and plugin ecosystem for smaller business websites.
SilverStripe development in New Zealand typically starts from around $10,000 for a smaller custom-built website and ranges from $25,000 to $100,000+ for enterprise or government-grade platforms. Pricing depends on complexity, custom modules, integrations and ongoing support. As experienced SilverStripe developers in NZ, we provide tailored quotes based on your project scope and business requirements.
SilverStripe is widely used by New Zealand government agencies, local councils, universities, enterprise organisations and businesses with complex content needs. From the NZ Government’s Common Web Platform to large corporate intranets and CRM-driven websites, SilverStripe is the go-to platform for organisations that need a secure, scalable and developer-friendly CMS built for the long term.
Yes, SilverStripe is fully open-source, released under the BSD licence. This means the platform is free to use, modify and extend, with no licence fees. The open-source nature has built a strong global community of SilverStripe developers contributing modules, security updates and improvements, making it a transparent and cost-effective choice for enterprise and government websites in NZ.
Yes, SilverStripe CMS is designed to be intuitive for content editors. Once your SilverStripe website is built and handed over, you can easily update pages, add images, manage navigation and publish blog posts through the user-friendly admin interface. For more complex changes such as new modules, integrations or custom functionality, you’ll need an experienced SilverStripe developer.
SilverStripe is one of the most secure CMS platforms available, which is why it powers the NZ Government’s Common Web Platform. It includes built-in protection against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting and CSRF attacks, plus regular security patches from the SilverStripe team. For enterprise websites handling sensitive data, SilverStripe is a trusted, enterprise-grade choice.
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