Hire me

So, you're thinking of working with me? I have a whole list of reasons why that's a great idea (they're listed after this form), here's a summary of what I could do or create for you:

  • Web development (PHP based)
  • Accessible HTML
  • jQuery plugins
  • Progressively enhanced Javascript
  • SEO (Search engine optimisation)
  • Site / domain hosting or advising
  • Consultancy

Why should you hire me?

With four years experience in full service design agencies, and a year freelancing I've worked with all sorts of clients; From brands you may use every day to small local firms with a small user base. Employing a freelancer with experience like this guarantees an agency level of competence for a freelance price.

For a more in-depth look at what I could do for you, click on the items below.

  • Web development

    A website is an important part of any business, whether it's an online shop or simply an online brochure to tell people about your company and services.

    Development comes in many forms - usually as a public facing portal of information but occasionally internal systems or webapps, and sometimes just creation of an API to allow one system to talk to another easily. Often, you'll be looking for help maintaining your website too.

    Whatever your requirement, I'm here to help.

  • Accessible HTML

    Making a website isn't just about typing code and laying out a site so it looks like a design and functions how you want it to. Just like a cake, there are many ways to make a website and many of them aren't right.

    When you work with me to create a new website, you can be sure that it'll be accessible, following the WCAG 2.0 as much as possible which also goes hand in hand with SEO. I also never release a website which fails the W3C validation tests - a mark of excellence for developers.

    Validation is important for other reasons too; just as a badly build brick wall is in danger of toppling over, so is a badly built website. Malformed HTML and 'hacked' bug fixes (These are usually noticeable by inclusion of IE specific stylesheets - they're very common) can cause problems later on, especially when new internet browsers and upgrades are released. Only validated code conforming to the set specification of the doctype (a required part of a web page, telling the user's browser which rendering engine to use) used can be classed as future proof.

  • jQuery plugins

    Have a great website that's lacking a certain something? A website that feels a little static?

    If you can imagine it, I can build it. Dynamic jQuery plugins can create all sorts of effects, whether it's a slideshow, an accordion (like this) or maybe even a visual effect. Firework effects are very 90s, but if you happen to be a firework salesman, maybe it could work for you?

  • Progressive enhancement

    You may or may not have heard of this one. Progressive enhancement is the way the web industry describes specific functionality of a site that will function in a different, more interactive way if the users web browser supports it. For instance, contact forms can be 'enhanced' with AJAX to make them submit without refreshing the page giving a smoother, cleaner experience for your users.

    Have you heard of the sister term 'Graceful degradation'? Sounds just as buzzwordy but it's not as good a solution - it implies that a website was first made in the smooth dynamic way and then built to fall-back to a standard solution if that fails. This isn't usually done very well, which can have implications for your users and the search engine indexing of your website.

  • Search engine optimisation

    Possibly one of the most important aspects of any website; marketing. Without actively advertising your new website the way most people will find it is by searching for related terms in a search engine such as Google.

    There are many ways to optimise a website so that it naturally lists as high as possible in search results and many of them are to do with HTML coding and layout. As mentioned in the Accessible HTML section, a well coded site goes in hand with SEO. Any website I create will leave little work for an SEO expert in terms of optimising the code of your website.

    There are other factors determining your prominence in search results too; links in from other websites, internal links, well written and regularly updated content etc. If necessary, spending some money on advertising (such as in Google's results) can help you be found too. If you need any help with these advanced features I work closely with several SEO and Google experts who will be able to help.

  • Domain and site hosting

    An important part of creating a website is choosing a domain name for it. This may or may not match your company name, depending on availability. If required, I can guide you in your choice and purchase of a domain name.

    Another important aspect is hosting - where will the files that make up your website live? Most websites 'rent' space from one of many online hosting providers, depending on size. Most hosting companies also offer virtual and dedicated servers if you have a larger site and a higher user base.

    I offer advice, administration and maintenance of all aspects mentioned here.

  • Consultancy

    If you have an idea that needs developing, consultancy could be the way. Would your site benefit from extra interaction, social aspects, how could twitter benefit you etc etc. Book a session and we'll develop your idea together.