Custom WordPress Development
Bespoke themes and plugins built from the ground up with clean, maintainable code that scales with your business.
16+ Years Experience • UK-Based Developer • WordPress + WooCommerce Specialist
WordPress Development That's Built to Perform
Custom WordPress websites, themes and builds for agencies and businesses who need fast, scalable and maintainable solutions.
Why custom WordPress development matters
Lots of WordPress sites run on page builders like Elementor. Depending how and who built them, that can work absolutely fine. Where things get sticky is when a site is slow, hard to edit, or needs proper custom functionality the current setup can’t handle cleanly.
That’s where I come in. I focus on clean code, performance, and a site your team can actually manage. For new builds I usually recommend a custom theme with Gutenberg and ACF. I’m also happy to help with existing Elementor or Divi sites: fixes, improvements, overflow, or a rebuild if you’ve outgrown what you have.
Different clients want different levels of control. Some like to tweak every layout themselves. Others prefer adding a block and knowing it will look right every time. Either way, I’ll build around how you actually want to work.
Services Included
Everything you'd expect, and a few things you might not. Here's what's covered.
Gutenberg & ACF Development
Custom blocks and flexible content architectures that give editors full control without touching code.
WooCommerce Integration
High-performance online stores with custom checkout flows, payment gateways, and subscription management.
Theme Development
Pixel-perfect custom themes that match your brand identity and deliver exceptional user experiences.
Performance Optimisation
Core Web Vitals improvements, caching strategies, and database tuning for lightning-fast load times.
Website Maintenance
Proactive monitoring, security updates, and ongoing support to keep your site running smoothly.
Why work with me?
Agency-quality WordPress development without the agency overhead. Based in Bath, working with clients across the UK.
Direct access
You work directly with me. No layers, no handoffs. Clear conversations and faster decisions.
Fast communication
I reply within hours, not days. You will always know where your project stands.
Clean, maintainable code
No shortcuts and no technical debt. Any developer can pick up where I left off. Built to last.
SEO that works
Semantic HTML, fast load times, and Core Web Vitals baked in from the start.
Long-term support
Optional maintenance plans to keep your site secure, fast, and bug-free. I do not disappear after launch.
Design and development together
I team up with freelance designer Jon Bolton when you need both skills. One conversation, one timeline, one bill.
How We Work Together
No mystery process. Here's exactly what happens from first chat to launch day.
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Discovery
Understanding your business goals, target audience, and technical requirements through detailed consultation.
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Planning
Creating a comprehensive project roadmap with clear timelines, milestones, and technical specifications.
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Design Collaboration
Working closely with your design team or creating wireframes and prototypes to ensure pixel-perfect implementation.
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Development
Building your WordPress solution with clean, maintainable code and industry best practices.
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Testing
Rigorous quality assurance across all devices and browsers, ensuring optimal performance and accessibility.
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Launch
Smooth deployment with minimal downtime, including DNS configuration and SSL setup.
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Support
Ongoing maintenance, security updates, and technical support to keep your site running flawlessly.
Recent WordPress projects
All built from scratch for the clients needs, simple editing
Schools Go Surfing
Bespoke WordPress websites for Schools Go Surfing and Schools Go Skiing with GSAP animations, interactive destination maps, and easy content editing.
We Are Reach
Custom WordPress website for We Are Reach, a creative agency for entertainment brands, showcasing video, design, social, and fandom-led IP campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about WordPress development services
Yes. Many of my projects involve improving existing WordPress sites rather than building from scratch. This can include performance optimisation, Core Web Vitals improvements, redesign implementation, or adding custom functionality that your current setup can’t support.
Timeframes depend on complexity, but most WordPress projects take between 1 to 8 weeks. Larger builds with custom functionality, integrations, or ecommerce requirements may take longer. A clear timeline is always provided before work begins.
Yes. All builds are created with SEO best practices in mind, including clean semantic markup, fast loading performance, mobile optimisation, and Core Web Vitals considerations. I also ensure the site structure is easy for search engines to crawl and understand.
Custom WordPress development typically includes bespoke theme or plugin development, integration of custom functionality, ACF or Gutenberg block development, performance optimisation, and full responsiveness across devices.
For new builds I usually work with WordPress core, Gutenberg and ACF. That tends to stay fast and easy to maintain, especially when clients want to add a block and know it will look right.
I’m also happy to work on existing Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder and similar sites: fixes, performance, features, or ongoing support. Depending how and who built them, page builders can work absolutely fine. If a rebuild makes more sense than patching, I’ll say so honestly.
“Steve helped us build our company website, and our team absolutely loved working with him. Patient, accommodating, and with a real can-do attitude to everything we threw at him.”
Let's build something exceptional
Whether you're starting from scratch or need to elevate an existing site, I'm here to help.