WordPress development, done right
Gjethe builds custom WordPress sites with themes written from scratch, block editor patterns your team can reuse, custom plugins where needed, WooCommerce stores and headless WordPress behind a Next.js front end. Every build keeps plugins to a minimum and includes security hardening, speed work and SEO set-up.
- Free first consultation
- Written quote for your project
- Flexible payment milestones
At a glance
- Builds
- Custom themes and plugins
- Editor
- Block editor with reusable patterns
- Commerce
- WooCommerce
- Pricing
- Quoted per project
Definition
What is WordPress development?
WordPress development is building websites on WordPress, the open-source content management system, creating the theme that controls how the site looks, the plugins that add features, and the content structure editors work with.
WordPress is familiar to editors and flexible enough for almost any content site. Its reputation for being slow and fragile comes from heavy themes, page builders and dozens of plugins. We build clean, purpose-made WordPress: a custom theme, only the plugins you need, and a structure that keeps the design consistent however much you publish. We work with your existing hosting, or help you choose a dependable host if needed.
Who is it for?
Content-heavy organisations
Publishers, NGOs, universities and companies that publish articles, news and pages every week.
Teams already using WordPress
Your editors know WordPress and don't want to learn another system, but the current site is slow or messy.
WooCommerce sellers
You want a store tightly integrated with your content and full control over the code.
Sites with special plugins
Memberships, learning platforms, directories or multilingual set-ups that depend on proven WordPress plugins.
What's included, and what you keep
What's included
- Custom theme built from scratch
- Block editor patterns and custom blocks
- Custom post types and fields
- Custom plugin development where needed
- WooCommerce set-up if you sell online
- Multilingual set-up with WPML or Polylang
- Security hardening and login protection
- SEO with Yoast or Rank Math plus schema
- Caching, image optimisation and CDN
- Backups and update routine
What you receive
Handed over at the end. Yours to keep.
- The live WordPress site
- Theme and custom plugins in a Git repository
- Admin and editor accounts
- A pattern library your editors can reuse
- List of plugins with their purpose and licences
- Hosting, backup and update documentation
Classic theme, page builder or headless?
| Approach | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Custom block theme (our default) | Fast, consistent, editors use the native block editor | Needs a developer for new layouts |
| Page builder (Elementor, Divi) | Editors can design freely | Heavier pages and design drift over time |
| Headless WordPress + Next.js | WordPress editing with a very fast front end | Two systems to host and maintain |
How do we build WordPress without the bloat?
We start from a minimal custom theme rather than a multipurpose one, so each page loads only the styles and scripts it needs. Layout flexibility comes from block patterns we design with you (hero sections, feature grids, testimonials, FAQs) that editors can insert and fill without breaking the design.
For each feature we ask whether it needs a plugin. Contact forms, SEO and caching usually do; a team page, a custom post type or a simple slider usually doesn't. Fewer plugins means fewer updates, fewer conflicts and a smaller attack surface.
Finally, we treat the site as software: code in Git, a staging site for changes, and an update routine. That is what keeps a WordPress site fast and secure years after launch.
What every WordPress site we build includes for security
- Unique admin usernames and two-factor login
- Limited login attempts and a firewall
- Automatic daily backups stored off the server
- File editing disabled in the admin
- Plugins only from reputable, maintained sources
- A staging site for testing updates
How WordPress development works, step by step
Every step has a clear output you can review. Timing is agreed in your quote.
- 1
Content model
We map your content types (pages, posts, team, events, products) and the fields each needs.
- 2
Design
Templates and reusable patterns designed in Figma.
- 3
Theme development
A custom theme and blocks, with editor styles that match the front end.
- 4
Plugins and integrations
Only necessary plugins, configured and tested; custom code where a plugin would be overkill.
- 5
Content and migration
Content entered or migrated, with redirects from any old URLs.
- 6
Hardening and launch
Security, caching, backups and SEO checks, then go-live and editor training.
Tools, and what shapes your quote
Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote. These are the things that move it.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of templates and blocks | Each unique layout or custom block is design and development work. |
| Custom content types | Events, directories or listings with filters add structure and logic. |
| Plugins that need customising | Bending a plugin to fit can cost more than a small custom feature. |
| WooCommerce | Products, payments, shipping and tax add a store build to the site. |
| Languages | Multilingual plugins, translated content and per-language SEO. |
| Migration | Moving content from another CMS or cleaning up an old WordPress install. |
| Area | Tools |
|---|---|
| Core | WordPress, PHP, block editor (Gutenberg), Advanced Custom Fields |
| Commerce & membership | WooCommerce, LearnDash, LifterLMS |
| Multilingual | WPML, Polylang |
| SEO & performance | Yoast, Rank Math, object caching, Cloudflare |
| Security | web application firewall, two-factor login, automated backups |
Common mistakes to avoid
What we see go wrong most often, and how a good project avoids it.
A plugin for every feature
Each plugin is code you must update and trust. Thirty plugins means thirty things that can break or be exploited.
Never updating
Outdated core, themes and plugins are the main way WordPress sites get hacked. Updates need a routine.
Admin as the default username
Predictable logins without two-factor authentication invite brute-force attacks.
Bloated themes
Multipurpose themes load features you never use on every page. A custom theme carries only what you need.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use page builders like Elementor?
Our default is a custom theme with the block editor, which is faster and easier to keep consistent. If your team relies on a page builder, we can work with it and keep it as light as possible.
Can you speed up my existing WordPress site?
Yes. We audit the theme, plugins, hosting and database, remove what slows the site down and set up caching and image optimisation. See website speed optimization.
Is WordPress secure?
WordPress core is well maintained; most problems come from outdated plugins and weak logins. We keep plugins few, harden logins and can maintain updates monthly.
Should I choose WordPress or Next.js?
WordPress suits content-heavy sites your team edits daily; Next.js suits sites where speed and custom features matter most. Headless WordPress gives you both. See our Next.js vs WordPress comparison.
Can you take over a WordPress site someone else built?
Yes. We start with an audit of the code, plugins and hosting, fix anything urgent and then maintain or improve it.
Will I depend on premium plugin licences?
Only where they're the best option. We list every paid plugin and its renewal so there are no surprises, and the licences are registered to you.
Which hosting do you recommend for WordPress?
Managed WordPress hosting with daily backups, staging sites and server-level caching is the simplest reliable option. We'll recommend a provider based on your traffic, location and budget, and set it up under your account.
Can you migrate our site from another CMS to WordPress?
Yes. We migrate pages, posts, media, authors and categories from systems such as Joomla, Drupal or a custom CMS, clean up formatting along the way and set up redirects from every old URL.
Do you offer WordPress maintenance after launch?
Yes. Monthly maintenance covers core, theme and plugin updates on a staging site first, backups, uptime and security monitoring, and small content or bug fixes. See website maintenance and support.
Can WordPress handle a membership or course site?
Yes. Plugins such as MemberPress, LearnDash or LifterLMS are mature and well supported. We configure access rules, payments and the learner experience, and customise the templates to match your design.
Related services
Website Development
Custom business websites on Next.js, React or WordPress.
E-commerce Development
Online stores on Shopify, WooCommerce or a headless stack.
Website Maintenance & Support
Updates, backups, monitoring and fixes every month.
Website Speed Optimization
Faster pages and better Core Web Vitals.
Website Security
Hardening, malware clean-up and security reviews.
Next.js Development
Server-rendered React sites and apps.
WordPress Plugin Development
Custom plugins that add features without bloat.
WordPress Development by industry
Start your WordPress project.
Tell us what you need. You get an honest assessment, a clear plan and a written quote. The first consultation is always free.
- What happens next
- 1You tell us what you need
- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project