How I Became a WordPress Developer
My journey started, honestly, with curiosity and boredom. I wasn’t trying to reinvent my career. I wasn’t looking for a new path. I was simply fascinated by how websites worked. I’d stay up late messing around with basic HTML, changing little bits of code just to see what would break or transform. I didn’t know what I was doing half the time — but something about it clicked.
Eventually I stumbled across WordPress. At first it looked simple… maybe too simple. But once I dove in, I realised just how powerful it actually was. I began building tiny test sites, playing with themes, editing CSS, breaking my installs again and again (in the best way), and trying out plugins like a kid in a candy shop.
Before long, friends started asking if I could “fix their website” or “make something small.” One thing led to another, and suddenly I had clients. That’s when I realised I wasn’t just playing around anymore — I was becoming a WordPress developer without even realising it.
As more businesses in Melbourne went digital, the demand kept growing. New cafés wanted menus online. Trades needed booking forms. Retailers needed full online stores. Creatives wanted portfolio sites. Every project pulled me deeper into the world of custom themes, problem-solving, and optimising WordPress to do things most people didn’t even realise it could do.
Why I Choose to Work With WordPress
Let’s get one thing straight: there are a lot of platforms out there. But WordPress felt different from day one. Not just in functionality, but in philosophy. Here’s what drew me in:
1. It’s ridiculously flexible
Need a blog? Done.
Need an online store? Easy.
Need a membership platform, online course, booking system, learning portal, directory website, or something super niche?
Yep — WordPress can do that too.
This flexibility lets me, as a WordPress developer, customise things deeply without forcing clients into rigid templates.
2. The community is unmatched
Melbourne’s tech scene is buzzing, and the WordPress community here is incredibly supportive. Meetups, workshops, WordCamps, networking events — the collective knowledge out there is huge. If you ever get stuck, there’s always someone who’s already solved the problem you’re facing.
3. Clients love how user-friendly it is
WordPress doesn’t intimidate clients. They can manage pages, add content, upload products, post blogs, and update images without calling me every five minutes — though I’m always here if they need me!
4. Plugins make life easier — when used correctly
Yes, plugins can be abused. But in the right hands, they’re powerful tools that extend the platform beautifully.
Why Melbourne Is the Perfect Place to Be a WordPress Developer
You might wonder why Melbourne specifically plays such a big role in my journey. Here’s why:
Melbourne businesses have personality
Every suburb has its own distinct vibe:
- Fitzroy → artsy, indie, creative
- Brunswick → eclectic, quirky, alternative
- Richmond → retail, furniture, design
- St Kilda → lifestyle, hospitality
- CBD → corporate, polished, fast-paced
Building websites for Melbourne clients means nothing is “one-size-fits-all.” Every project is unique — and that keeps me sharp as a WordPress developer.
The entrepreneurial scene is booming
Melbourne is full of freelancers, creators, coaches, e-commerce stores, bars, studios, galleries, tradies, wellness brands — all needing digital presence. Websites are literally the new storefront.
Tech culture thrives here
Coworking spaces, tech hubs, start-ups, events, coding nights — being a WordPress developer in Melbourne means you’re surrounded by inspiration.
My Full Workflow: From Figma to Development
Every project I take on follows a process, and this is where I get the most joy. Let me break it down.
Step 1: Discovery & Strategy
It all starts with conversation. I want to deeply understand:
- The brand
- The goals
- The audience
- The problems the website needs to solve
- What success looks like
- What features support the business
- How users will move through the site
This stage ensures we’re building something with purpose — not just something that “looks nice.”
Step 2: Figma Design — Where the Vision Takes Shape
Before I touch WordPress, I design everything in Figma.
This includes:
- Homepage layout
- Colours
- Typography
- Buttons & interactions
- Mobile versions
- Tablet layouts
- Component structure
- Spacing & hierarchy
Clients love this phase because they can see the concept before development begins. It also saves endless hours of revisions later.
Figma lets us prototype ideas:
- Where does the hero image go?
- How does the mobile menu open?
- What does the product page look like?
- How does the checkout flow feel?
By the time a client signs off, they know exactly what their website will become.
Step 3: Development — Bringing the Design to Life
Once Figma is approved, the real magic begins. This is where my work as a WordPress developer comes into full play.
I start:
- Building custom WordPress themes
- Writing clean, optimised code
- Ensuring mobile responsiveness
- Adding transitions and animations
- Integrating plugins
- Creating custom post types
- Enhancing speed and performance
- Implementing SEO best practices
- Making sure the backend is easy for clients to update
I also test every feature across:
- Chrome
- Safari
- Firefox
- Edge
- Mobile browsers
- Tablets
Because Melbourne customers use everything — and consistency matters.
Step 4: SEO & Performance Optimisation
Development isn’t complete until the site is fast, clean, and visible.
I optimise:
- Page loading speed
- Image compression
- Code minification
- Schema markup
- Meta descriptions
- Title tags
- Internal linking
- Mobile responsiveness
- Core Web Vitals
Good SEO isn’t just a bonus. It’s essential.
Step 5: Launch & Deployment
Once testing is complete, we’re ready to go live.
This includes:
- Migrating to the client’s hosting
- Setting up security
- Configuring backups
- Installing analytics
- Setting up Search Console
- Double-testing mobile
- Connecting forms
- Final QA checks
Launch day is always exciting — it’s the moment where weeks (sometimes months) of collaboration turn into something real.
Step 6: Training, Support & Ongoing Growth
One thing I’ve learned from being a WordPress developer is that most clients actually want to manage their own websites. They just need guidance.
So I provide:
- One-on-one training
- Tutorial videos
- Written documentation
- Easy-to-use admin interfaces
But I also offer ongoing support because businesses evolve, and websites need to evolve with them.
Clients often come back for:
- New features
- Landing pages
- Store expansions
- Blog structures
- Speed improvements
- Rebrands
- Full redesigns after a few years
Long-term relationships are genuinely one of my favourite parts of this career.
Why Websites Need to Be Mobile-First
Melbourne is a mobile-first city.
People check websites:
- On trams
- At cafes
- In line at Woolies
- At the footy
- During lunch breaks
- On the go
That’s why every site I build as a WordPress developer is optimised for:
- Thumb navigation
- Tap-friendly buttons
- Fast load times
- Clean mobile layouts
- App-like interactions
If your website doesn’t work beautifully on mobile, you’ll lose customers — fast.
My SEO Philosophy for Melbourne Businesses
There’s no point building a beautiful website if no one ever sees it.
My SEO approach focuses on:
Technical SEO
Fast, clean code, proper structure, canonical tags.
Content SEO
Helping clients write pages Google loves.
Local SEO
Perfect for Melbourne businesses wanting more local customers.
E-commerce SEO
Optimising product pages, categories, and structured data.
When all these elements come together, a website becomes a powerful growth engine — not just a digital brochure.
What I Love Most About This Work
Being a WordPress developer in Melbourne has given me the chance to collaborate with some truly amazing people.
I’ve worked with:
- Creative entrepreneurs
- Retail brands
- Local cafés
- Trades and services
- Coaches
- Agencies
- Wellness brands
- Artists and photographers
- Non-profits
- National e-commerce stores
Every project teaches me something new. Every client has a story. Every business has a personality. And every website becomes a reflection of that.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a WordPress developer in Melbourne has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. It’s allowed me to blend creativity with technology, strategy with design, and problem-solving with storytelling. The city’s entrepreneurial energy keeps me inspired, and the constant evolution of digital needs keeps me on my toes.
If you’re a Melbourne business owner — or even based anywhere in Australia — and you’re looking to build or upgrade a WordPress website, I’d love to help. From the first Figma concept to the final line of code, I bring clarity, creativity, and genuine care to every project.
Book a Free Strategy Call
Whether you’re planning a redesign or starting from scratch, we can help you:
- Choose the right WordPress build method
- Map out your content and design structure
- Launch a fast, SEO‑friendly site
- Get ongoing support that actually supports you
Book a call today and let’s make your WordPress site work harder for your business.
Projects
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Hydraulic Online
Custom WordPress Build with Ecwid integration Custom WordPress Build with Ecwid integration Category Development Client Hydraulic Online Publish Date 14th April 2025 Designer Jane James [ TRAUMA AND EMDR] Australia’s largest hydraulic store. Hydraulic Online is a wholesale direct to public Hydraulic store. Their previous site needed rebuilding from a structure and design point of…
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Enlightenment Psychology
Custom WordPress Build with pracsuite integration Custom UX, and custom WordPress Build with Pracsuite integration Category Development Client Enlightenment Psychology Publish Date 12th May 2025 Designer Jane James [ TRAUMA AND EMDR] Compassionate care for your mental wellbeing Enlightenment psychology is a start up psychology and counselling practice specialising in ADHD, Autism, cognitive decline, anxiety…
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Lindsay Munyard
Custom WordPress Build with pracsuite integration Custom UX, and custom WordPress Build with Pracsuite integration Category Development Client Lindsay Munyard Publish Date 14th April 2025 Designer Jane James [ TRAUMA AND EMDR] Supporting growth, connection and a path forward Lindsay is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker who works with children, families and adolescents through…
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Commonality
Custom Shopify Build from brand design Custom Shopify development with profit margins, colour variants and payment gateway setup. Category Development Client Commonality Publish Date 14th April 2025 Designer Jane James [ SOLUTIONS] A store that puts sustainability before fast fashion. Commonality is a radically transparent online marketplace, offering a curated collection of high-quality, beautiful products…
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Mod Living
Custom WordPress with gated content Custom WordPress development with gated content. Category Development Client Mod Living Publish Date 19th March 2025 Designer Jane James [ MODULAR HOUSING] The pursuit of adaptable,high-quality and sustainable livingsolutions to meet life’s evolving needs. Mod Living presents a unique solution to the housing crisis- modular homes that can be constructed…
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State of Soul
Custom WordPress with Mindbody integration Custom WordPress development with Mindbody to handle payments and bookings Category Development Client State of Soul Publish Date 12th December 2024 Designer Jane James [ SOLUTIONS] A designer yoga studio with big dreams. State of Soul is a boutique yoga studio in Melbourne. As a start up business, they needed…
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Elissa Hill
Custom WordPress with gated content Custom WordPress development with gated content. Category Development Client Elissa Hill Publish Date 07th October 2024 Designer Jane James [ COPYWRITING] Communicating with clarity, purpose and impact. Elissa Hill is a Melbourne copywriter who works with non profits and charities to help them communicate with clarity and impact. Her previous…
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Mental Health Australia
Custom WordPress Build with marketing automations. Custom WordPress development with Mailchimp integration. Category Development Client Mental Health Australia Publish Date 30th September 2024 Designer Jane James [ SOLUTIONS] Meaningful connections matter to your mental health. Mental health Australia does it’s annual World Mental health day each year to raise awareness and provide support to Australians…
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Natural Comfort
Custom WordPress with Woocommerce and twilio Custom WordPress development with Woocommerce to handle payments and twilio call forwarding. Category Development Client Natural Comfort Publish Date 12th April 2024 Designer Jane James [ SOLUTIONS] Australia’s premium adjustable beds and low-tox mattresses. Natural comfort is a premium latex bedding manufacture making custom made beds out of their…
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Megan Jordan
Custom WordPress with Photo gallery Custom WordPress development with photo gallery. Category Development Client Megan Jordan Publish Date 19th December 2023 Designer Jane James [ MODULAR HOUSING] Celebrating life at every occasion. Megan originally designed her own website, using a non code page builder that left her short on many functions.She wanted a design similar…
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Roshe gallery
Custom Shopify Build with klaviyo Integration Custom Shopify development with profit margins, colour variants and payment gateway setup. Category Development Client Roshe Gallery Publish Date 12th December 2023 Designer Jane James [ SOLUTIONS] A high end store for a designer brand. Roshe Gallery is where art meets functionality, and they needed a modern contemporary site…
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Cinemotive
Custom WordPress with photo gallery embed Custom WordPress development with photo gallery embed. Category Development Client Cinemotive Publish Date 12th December 2023 Designer Jane James [ SOLUTIONS] Award winning photography and videography to capture your special day. Cinemotive is an award winning wedding photographer and videographer in the Southern highlands of New South Wales. they…
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