WordPress Developer — custom code instead of standard themes
Custom plugins, performance optimisation and complex integrations. For projects where standard WordPress hits its limits — from SMEs to corporates.
5.0 out of 5 stars on Google · Read reviews
WordPress development — clear prices for custom code
Three areas I work in most often. Your project doesn't fit in? Write to me — it probably fits anyway.
Plugin Development
from €2,500
Custom plugins that do exactly what you need. From simple extensions to complex backend systems for corporates.
- Concept & technical spec
- Clean plugin architecture
- WordPress Coding Standards
- Tests & documentation
- 3 months of bug fixes included
Ideal for: corporates with bespoke workflows, agencies, technically demanding projects
Request a pluginPerformance Optimisation
from €1,500
WordPress site slow, outdated or needs migrating? I analyse and fix technical problems in a structured way.
- Performance analysis
- Database optimisation
- Caching strategy
- Improve Core Web Vitals
- Server & PHP tuning
Ideal for: SMEs with grown sites, agencies with performance problems on client projects
Check performanceCustom Development
from €4,900
Connecting WordPress with other systems. Custom themes with bespoke functions. Complex requirements no standard plugin covers.
- REST API integrations
- Headless WordPress / custom backend
- CRM/ERP connections
- Custom Gutenberg blocks
- Multi-site architecture
Ideal for: corporates, industry solutions, projects beyond standard WordPress
Discuss a custom projectWhen do you need a WordPress developer instead of a designer?
A WordPress designer sets up your website with a theme and standard plugins. A WordPress developer writes custom code when standard solutions hit their limits — or when a standard setup can't solve the requirements in the first place.
When your WordPress hits its limits, it quickly gets technical: you need a function no plugin offers. You want to connect WordPress to your CRM. You have performance problems that caching plugins don't fix. That's where custom code comes in.
Corporates and mid-sized companies often run several WordPress sites in parallel — with similar but individual requirements. That calls for someone who doesn't start from scratch every time but builds reusable solutions. That's exactly what I do for HIH Group: 6 websites, shared custom plugins, consistent standards.
Agencies call me when they get stuck or need specialist knowledge. White-label development, performance rescue on client projects, custom plugins as a sub-service. You as the agency stay the client contact, I deliver the technology.
Custom Plugins
When no standard plugin solves your problem, I build one.
Performance
WordPress can be fast — if you know where the brakes are.
Integrations
Connecting WordPress with your CRM, ERP or special system.
Enterprise level
Multiple sites, consistent standards, professional workflows.
HIH Group: 6 WordPress websites + custom plugin development
For HIH Group, one of Germany's largest real estate investment managers, I develop and maintain the entire technical web presence: 6 WordPress websites plus project sites — from ongoing updates and performance improvements to the development of bespoke plugins.
The best-known example: the exposé generator. A custom plugin that produces complete property exposés as PDFs in the corporate design — automatically from JetEngine data, at the click of a button, in under 10 seconds. Previously the exposés were assembled by hand in a layout tool.
Enterprise development as a freelancer works because the paths are short: a technical requirement doesn't go through three departments but straight to the developer who implements it.
6 websites + project sites
The entire web presence of HIH Group under ongoing technical maintenance.
Custom plugin development
Incl. the exposé generator: PDF exposés from JetEngine data in under 10 seconds.
Technical improvements
Performance, security and maintainability — continuous, not one-off.
Direct line
Requirements go straight to the developer — without agency middle layers.
What I actually build
Custom Plugins
From a simple function plugin to a complex backend solution. Clean architecture, tests, documentation.
- Custom Post Types & Taxonomies
- Admin UI / settings pages
- WP-Cron jobs for background processes
- REST API extensions
- Gutenberg blocks
WordPress Performance
Slow WordPress sites usually have several causes. I analyse and fix them in a structured way.
- Database optimisation
- Caching strategy (object & page)
- Asset optimisation
- Server & PHP tuning
- Core Web Vitals
Custom Themes & Frontend
When your design needs to be unique or your theme causes performance problems.
- Theme from scratch
- Theme migration
- Block theme development
- Custom page builder blocks
- Headless WordPress with Nuxt/Vue
Why a direct developer instead of a WordPress agency?
Real technical depth
With me, technical questions go to the person who writes the code. No telephone game via account managers.
Faster delivery
No internal coordination rounds, no resource conflicts. Your project gets done, not administered.
Fair hourly rates
30–50% cheaper than an agency at the same or better quality. What you pay me goes 1:1 into the work.
After launch too
Code that's maintainable. Documentation you understand. And me as your contact when something needs adjusting.
Agencies have their place — for large projects with multiple trades, or when you need someone who delivers marketing, design and development at once. For pure WordPress development projects, though, working with a specialised developer has clear advantages.
Direct technical communication: you talk to the person who writes your code — not an account manager who relays the requirements. That saves loops and misunderstandings.
Fair prices: lean structures mean lower overhead. You pay for the work, not for administration and expensive office space.
Personal support: I know your project from the start and stay your contact — also for extensions or questions that come up in 2 years.
How does a WordPress development project work?
From briefing to deployment — transparent and structured.
Technical briefing
We discuss what you need — and I ask about details you may not have considered. What should the system do? How does that change in 12 months? Which systems need connecting? Free and non-binding.
Spec & effort
I create a technical specification: what gets built, how, in what order. You get a fixed price or a clear hourly estimate — no open-ended invoices.
Development with reviews
You get regular interim versions, usually on a staging environment. You can click, test and give feedback — before anything goes live.
Tests & deployment
Automated tests where it makes sense. Manual tests always. Deployment happens as planned, not as a surprise.
Documentation & handover
You get documentation your team understands. Plus me as your contact when questions come up later or extensions are needed.
WordPress development projects from the workshop
Custom plugins and technical solutions — from SMEs to a real estate corporate.
HIH Group – Exposé Generator
Custom plugin for automatically generating property exposés as PDFs. WordPress integration with JetEngine, automatic delivery in corporate design — exposés in under 10 seconds instead of manual layout work.
DerOekologe – Report Project Manager
Custom plugin with its own data model, 9 report types, guest access and a PDF generator. Staff capture data on site instead of in the office in the evening.
HIH Group – Multi-Site Infrastructure
Ongoing technical maintenance of 6 WordPress sites with shared custom plugins, consistent standards and centralised maintenance.
First Medical School
WordPress website for a first-aid academy. Clear course structure, integrated booking logic and an interactive resuscitation learning tool for training.
What clients say about working together
5.0 out of 5 stars on Google · 17 reviews
Unfortunately only 5 stars are possible... The collaboration with Joshua was always very pleasant. His expertise, creativity, excellent communication and tireless efforts have resulted in a website that is simply breathtaking. Anytime again!
Google ReviewIt's simply fun to work with Joshua. You can tell that he's passionate about his job. Not only does he offer very individual solutions to his clients, but he's also very pleasant in communication. Happy to work together again :)
Google ReviewI searched for a long time for a good web designer and then found Joshua. Simply perfect! The communication is open, honest and fair. Joshua is primarily interested in ensuring the quality of the website is good and the goal is achieved. Since the website went online, visibility has gone through the roof – simply first class!
Google ReviewJoshua understood what mattered from the very beginning. Ideas were implemented quickly and competently – even on short notice. Working with him is simply fun because he approaches every project with creativity and humor. Plus, he's absolutely reliable and fair in handling things. Clear recommendation.
Google ReviewWhat kind of WordPress project do you have?
Plugin Development
You need a specific function no standard plugin covers — and no cheap marketplace solution fits either. I build the plugin to your requirements, cleanly documented and maintainable.
Performance & Maintenance
Your WordPress site has become slow or has technical problems. You need someone who finds and fixes the causes — not just installs caching plugins.
Custom Integration & Architecture
Your project needs more than standard WordPress: complex integrations, custom backend, multi-site strategy. This is my focus — architecture that grows with your company.
Which companies do I build WordPress solutions for?
Corporates & mid-sized companies with several sites
You have 3, 5, 10 WordPress sites and need someone to ensure technical consistency and build custom plugins for your shared requirements. Like for HIH Group, where I maintain 6 sites + custom plugins.
Agencies with special needs
You're a web agency and hit limits on custom requirements. I deliver white-label development, performance rescue and plugin development — you stay the client contact.
SMEs with a grown WordPress site
Your WordPress site has grown over the years and is now hitting limits. Performance, migration to new servers, connection to your CRM — I modernise it in a structured way.
Technically demanding projects
You have a project with special requirements: headless WordPress with a Vue/Nuxt frontend, API integrations, complex custom backend logic. Exactly my focus.
I work on WordPress projects across Germany, Austria and Switzerland — mostly remotely. Corporate clients like HIH Group I'm happy to support on site in Hamburg, technical projects often fully remote.
Frequently asked questions about WordPress development
Custom development varies widely. Simple plugin extensions start at around €2,500. More complex custom plugins are usually €3,000–8,000. Larger custom solutions for corporates can cost €10,000–25,000+. Performance optimisation starts at €1,500. In the first call we clarify the actual scope and you get a fixed price or a clear hourly estimate.
A WordPress designer sets up your site with a theme and standard plugins. A WordPress developer writes custom code — plugins, themes, integrations — when standard solutions aren't enough. Both have their place. If your project is technically demanding or you need bespoke functions, you need a developer.
Yes, regularly. Agencies hire me for white-label plugin development, performance rescue on client projects or specific technical requirements. The agency stays the client contact, I deliver the technical work.
Depends on complexity. Simple plugins: 1–2 weeks. Medium complexity (with admin UI, API connection): 3–6 weeks. Complex backend systems: 2–4 months. In the briefing you get a concrete time estimate.
Yes — plugin development as a standalone project is welcome, it's one of my favourite project types. I work my way into your existing setup and build the plugin so it plays nicely with your theme, builders and existing plugins. Examples: the exposé generator for HIH Group or the report project manager for DerOekologe.
You get the code, documentation and a setup guide. 3 months of bug fixes are included in the plugin package. After that you can call me for extensions as needed or arrange ongoing support. There's no lock-in — you have full code access.
Yes. I handle technical projects mostly remotely for clients across the DACH region. For corporate clients in Hamburg I'm happy to work on site too — like with HIH Group, who I've supported for years. For larger projects I'm glad to schedule on-site days if that helps.
Many clients who work with me come from exactly that experience — with broken code and unclear specs. The price difference on paper usually disappears once you add up the effort for spec clarification, rework and QA. With me you get direct communication in German or English, technical advice instead of mere task-ticking, and someone who's reachable after launch too.
Yes. However: with custom code from other developers, predictability is lower. In the briefing I look at the code and give an honest assessment of whether extending or rebuilding makes more sense.
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