Web Development.

Website development covers the technical side of building websites — the range of skills that sit behind the visual design of graphics and layouts. I have decades of experience in front and back-end development, specialising in fast, user-friendly and accessible websites that support your organisation's aims.

The Technology Behind Every Website

Every website is built on two core technologies: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). These are 'front-end' technologies, determining how a website appears to the user, and most sites also use JavaScript to handle interaction.

I love writing robust, concise HTML and CSS. While plenty of front-end frameworks now exist, my preference is to write code from scratch — it's simpler to maintain and easier to improve later. And although HTML and CSS have been fundamental since the earliest days of the web, they're still evolving, with new features regularly enabling more creative websites using native functionality. It's exciting to work in an industry that never stands still.

PHP Development

Many of my websites are built with PHP, a programming language that enables more complex functionality — things like contact forms and online shops. This is often called 'back-end' development because it operates behind the scenes, hidden from the user.

PHP handles data submitted through forms, processes images and other files, and connects websites to databases. It underpins a huge proportion of the web, including many content management systems — even Facebook is built on PHP.

MySQL Database Development

Databases store information in a way that makes it accessible and queryable, and most websites with a content management system need one. MySQL is a popular choice, capable of storing vast quantities of data — anything from page content (like the page you're reading now) to user information or sales records.

For most of the websites I build, PHP provides the connection to the database: queries written in SQL (Structured Query Language) are passed to the database, which returns the requested information for display on the page.

WordPress Development

Content management systems give non-technical users a convenient way to keep their websites up to date, and WordPress — built on PHP and MySQL — is the most popular of them all. These days it's my primary platform.

WordPress offers a huge ecosystem of plugins and themes, but as a PHP developer I prefer to write as much functionality as I can from scratch. Plugins are often bloated with code you don't need, and poorly maintained ones can introduce security risks. Writing bespoke code keeps sites lean, fast and secure.

Perch Runway Development

Alongside WordPress, I support and continue to develop websites built with Perch and Perch Runway. Also running on PHP and MySQL, Perch Runway remains a fantastic platform for websites requiring bespoke functionality. Over the years I've built many Perch sites, including features such as online booking systems.

Shopify Development

Shopify development is a little different: sites are built within the Shopify platform itself, so there's no hosting, PHP or MySQL to worry about. It still demands specialist knowledge, though — from building or adapting themes to developing apps that extend the platform, or using the Shopify API to connect your shop with other systems and services.

WooCommerce Development

Where Shopify isn't the right fit, I build ecommerce websites with WordPress and WooCommerce. As a WordPress add-on, WooCommerce is well supported and offers a wide range of options for online businesses. Day-to-day management is straightforward, and — as with every site I build — I provide full training and ongoing support to keep things running smoothly.

Progressive Web Apps

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are built with standard web technology but are 'installable', making them look and feel more like native apps on phones and tablets. They also offer a more resilient experience — handling network issues gracefully rather than showing the user an error page. PWAs are a great option for organisations wanting to offer an app-like experience without needing access to device hardware.

Bespoke Web Applications

There's nothing fundamentally different between a website and a web application — a web app is simply a website designed to deliver a particular set of functions. Some are open to everyone, like Airbnb or eBay; others are built for a single organisation with restricted access.

I've built several web applications over the years, both open and restricted. Alongside these, I develop bespoke PHP and MySQL software, SaaS products, databases and dedicated tools. A well-designed web application can streamline your workflow, connect your systems together and make your whole organisation more efficient.