Freelance WordPress developer 
51 five-star reviews
51 five-star reviewsFreelance WordPress Developer in Sussex
I’m Spencer, a freelance WordPress designer and developer based in Brighton. I’ve worked with WordPress for over 10 years, building everything from simple business sites to ecommerce stores with custom plugins and themes.
No agencies. No outsourcing. No account managers. I handle the design, the build and the launch myself, so you always deal directly with the person doing the work.
Custom themes Plugin development WooCommerce Rescue & rebuild Full stack
10+Years working with WordPress
100+WordPress websites built
55+Businesses I’ve worked with directly
51Five-star Google reviews
I also take on sites that already exist but need expert help — performance problems, redesigns, plugin conflicts, or ongoing improvements. I’m based in Brighton and work with clients across the UK. Most never need to meet in person, and I’ll put together a free homepage mockup before you commit to anything.
Talk it through → About me
A developer, not a theme reseller
I’m Spencer — a Brighton-based freelance web developer with over 10 years in marketing and web design. Before this I was a British 800m Champion, which taught me that results come from focused work rather than shortcuts.
I’ve built WordPress websites for 100+ projects and worked directly with 55+ businesses, from sole traders to established companies. I specialise in sites you can actually update yourself — not builds that leave you dependent on me for every text change.
Direct communication — you get me, the same person who designs and builds the site
WordPress specialist, not a generalist who dabbles — it’s all I do
Fixed pricing — the quote I give you is what you pay
Sites you can manage yourself, with a proper handover and training
Local and actually reachable — Brighton, not a call centre
Still here after launch, when you need something changed
Freelancer or agency?
Why choose a freelance WordPress developer
You could hire an agency and pay more to speak to account managers instead of the person building your site. Or use a cheap overseas freelancer and hope they don’t vanish mid-project. Here’s the third option.
Local, and actually reachable
I’m in Brighton, not a call centre. You can meet me, and you deal with the person building the site rather than an account manager relaying messages back and forth.
Development, not just theming
Custom post types, plugin work, WooCommerce and integrations with the systems you already run — not a premium theme with your logo dropped into it.
Maintenance that’s a plan, not a panic
Updates, backups, monitoring and a real person to call when something breaks. Most WordPress problems I get called about started as a plugin nobody updated.
Rescue and rebuild work
Plenty of my work is taking over a WordPress site someone else abandoned — untangling it, speeding it up, and making it editable again.
Honest advice, including “don’t”
Sometimes the answer is that your current site just needs a few tweaks. I’d rather tell you that than sell you something you don’t need.
You own it outright
No monthly platform fee, full ownership of your content, and the freedom to move host or developer whenever you want. You’re not renting your website.
Most Brighton WordPress developers are either agencies carrying agency overheads, or contractors who disappear once the site is live. I’m neither — I build it, then I’m still here when you need it changed.
Get a free quote What I build
WordPress development services
From a straightforward business site to custom plugin work and full stack builds. If it runs on WordPress, it’s in scope.
Custom WordPress websites
Every site I build is designed for your business — no templates. Custom themes tailored to your brand, with the functionality you actually need. Clean code, fast loading, mobile friendly.
WordPress web design →WooCommerce development
Selling online? I build WooCommerce stores that are easy to manage — secure payments, stock management, and a checkout that converts. I can develop custom plugins where you need specific functionality.
Custom theme development
Need something beyond off-the-shelf? I build custom WordPress themes from scratch, designed around your exact requirements. Full customisation, WordPress-native, built to last.
Plugin development and customisation
Sometimes off-the-shelf plugins don’t do quite what you need. I can customise an existing plugin or build one from scratch to extend what your site does.
Front end development
Designs turned into clean, responsive code — HTML, CSS and JavaScript built to match your mockups exactly. Useful whether you’re a designer needing development support or a business wanting a polished interface.
Full stack WordPress development
Front-end design, back-end functionality, database setup and server configuration. Custom post types, API integrations, complex queries — built properly from the ground up.
SEO & digital marketing
Built to be found, not just built
Every WordPress site I build includes on-page SEO fundamentals. Here’s what that actually means, rather than it being a line on a quote.
SEO set up from the start
WordPress is naturally SEO friendly but it still needs proper setup. I configure page titles, meta descriptions, heading structure and loading speed, and set up Yoast or RankMath so you keep ongoing control.
User experience that converts
Clear navigation, mobile-friendly layouts, fast pages and calls-to-action in the right places. Good UX keeps people on the site long enough to actually get in touch.
Ongoing SEO if you want it
The SEO built into the site is a foundation. To actively grow visibility I offer monthly SEO retainers from £250/month, Google Ads management, and content strategy targeting the searches your customers actually make.
Hosting & support
Two separate things, so you only pay for what you need
WordPress hosting from £10/month — fully managed, on servers optimised for WordPress. Security updates, daily backups, plugin updates, uptime monitoring. Already have hosting? I can work with your existing setup or suggest alternatives.
Support and care plans from £30/month — a separate product covering core, theme and plugin updates, security monitoring, regular backups and priority support when you need changes made.
Themes and plugins need regular updates to stay secure. Most of the WordPress emergencies I get called out to started as a plugin nobody had touched in a year.
See hosting and support → From £800 Fixed quote, no hourly billing
A typical build includes
- Custom WordPress design, no templates
- Mobile responsive across all devices
- Contact form and click-to-call
- On-page SEO setup
- Google Maps and Business Profile
- SSL certificate
- Training and handover
Where I work
Sussex, Surrey and remotely across the UK
Most of my clients are in Brighton and Hove or the wider Sussex area, but a good share of my work runs entirely over Zoom. If you want a WordPress developer you can sit down with, I’m reachable; if you’d rather never have a meeting, that works too.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Still unsure about something? Ask me directly — I answer every enquiry personally.
Get a free quoteAre you actually a freelancer, or an agency?
A genuine freelance WordPress developer — one person. When you hire me, I do the work: no outsourcing, no junior developers, no account managers. You get direct communication, faster turnaround and lower costs, and the person you speak to is the person building your site.
Why hire a freelance developer instead of using a website builder?
Builders like Wix or Squarespace are limited, and you’re renting rather than owning. Building on WordPress gives you full ownership, better SEO and unlimited customisation. If you’re already on a builder, a rebuild usually costs less over two years than continuing to pay the subscription.
Do you offer full stack development?
Yes — front-end design, back-end functionality, custom plugins, database work and server configuration. If your project needs more than a theme, I can build it.
What’s the difference between you and other WordPress designers?
I’ve worked with WordPress for over 10 years and it’s the only platform I build on. That means custom development, performance work and security — not just themes and plugins. I build sites that last, and I’m still around afterwards to look after them.
Can you take over a site someone else built?
Often, yes — it’s a decent share of my work. If it’s already on WordPress I can usually adopt it, untangle it, speed it up and look after it from there. See WordPress support for what that ongoing arrangement looks like.
How much does a WordPress site cost?
Most projects land between £800 and £3,000 for a complete WordPress website. Larger builds with ecommerce, booking systems or custom development run £2,000 to £5,000+. Every project gets a fixed quote upfront — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices. Get in touch for a quote tailored to what you need.
Do you only work with businesses in Sussex?
No. I’m based in Brighton and happy to meet clients across Sussex and Surrey face to face, but I work with clients across the UK. Plenty of projects run start to finish over Zoom without a single in-person meeting.
Which industries do you work with?
Most of them. There are dedicated pages for over thirty industries — trades, healthcare, professional services, property, hospitality and charity — but the process is the same whoever you are.
Recent work
Websites I’ve built
A few of the projects in my portfolio. Every one is a custom WordPress build, owned outright by the client.
Website design
APRO ai
Website design
Three Point Capital
Website design
We Are Metanoia
Website design
The Occupational Mind
Website design
Select Chalets
Website design
Wild by Design
Trusted by businesses across Sussex
How can I help?
Whether it’s a new WordPress build, custom development, or an existing site that needs rescuing, tell me what you’re dealing with and I’ll come back with an honest view and a fixed quote.
Get a free quote
I reply personally within one working day.