WordPress Development Services
Custom WordPress development for businesses and agencies that have outgrown templates and page builders. Plugins, WooCommerce, headless builds, and performance work. 14 years in WordPress. 31 years engineering for the web.
Custom WordPress Plugins
AI integrations, webhooks, outbound API syncs, scheduled automations, custom REST endpoints, and admin tools. Functionality WordPress and the major plugins don't ship with -- or where no plugin exists at all.
WooCommerce Development
Subscriptions, payment integrations, store credit, loyalty programs, and performance work.
Custom Integrations
Shipping and fulfillment platforms, email marketing tools, e-commerce analytics, ad attribution and conversions APIs, CRMs, and lead routing.
Headless WordPress
WordPress as a content API behind any modern front-end -- static site generators like Hugo, JavaScript frameworks like Next.js, or native apps.
Performance & Security
Query optimization, caching strategy, and security hardening.
Who actually builds your WordPress project?
One principal engineer, start to finish. The same person scopes the work, writes the plugin, debugs the slow query, and documents the handoff. 84EM has focused on WordPress for 14 years, part of 31 years engineering for the web.
WordPress projects fail when they get handed off. The plugin developer doesn’t talk to the theme developer. The agency PM doesn’t understand the database. Custom code gets bolted onto core in ways that break with the next update.
Every 84EM engagement is handled directly by a principal engineer. The same person scopes the work, writes the plugin, debugs the slow query, and hands it off with documentation that future developers won’t curse you for.
What can 84EM build in WordPress?
Custom plugins, WooCommerce development, custom integrations, headless builds, and performance and security work. The functionality WordPress and the major plugins don’t ship with, coded to WordPress standards with proper escaping, sanitization, capability checks, and nonce verification on every input.
Custom WordPress Plugin Development
Purpose-built plugins coded to WordPress standards. AI integrations, webhooks, outbound API calls, scheduled automations, custom REST endpoints, role-based workflows, and admin tools. The kind of functionality WordPress and the major plugins don’t ship with – or where no plugin exists at all. Proper escaping, sanitization, capability checks, and nonce verification on every input.
WooCommerce Development
Inventory automation at scale, custom subscription logic, store credit and rewards, and integrations that survive WooCommerce updates. See WooCommerce Development for the full breakdown.
LearnDash Development
Custom course logic and gating rules, integrations LearnDash doesn’t connect to natively, multi-tenant platforms for multiple corporate clients, and reporting its stock dashboard doesn’t provide. See LearnDash Development for the full breakdown.
Custom Integrations
Connecting WordPress and WooCommerce to the platforms a business already runs on – shipping and fulfillment systems, email marketing platforms, e-commerce analytics, ad attribution and conversions APIs, CRMs, and lead routing tools. Webhooks, scheduled syncs, and middleware that handle real-world edge cases.
Headless WordPress
WordPress as a content API behind any modern front-end – static site generators like Hugo, JavaScript frameworks like Next.js, or native apps. Editorial workflow stays familiar; the front-end gets faster, cheaper, and more flexible to host. See Headless WordPress Development for the full breakdown.
Performance & Security
Query optimization, caching strategy, and security hardening. Slow query analysis with concrete fixes – not generic plugin recommendations.
How does a WordPress project run?
Four stages: discovery and scoping, architecture, development and testing, then documentation and handoff. The same principal engineer handles every stage, so nothing is lost in a handoff between a separate plugin developer, theme developer, and project manager.
Discovery & Scoping
Direct conversation with the engineer who builds it. Requirements, hosting environment, plugin compatibility, and a project plan with concrete deliverables.
Architecture
The right approach for your stack. WordPress core conventions where they fit. Custom architecture where they don't. Hooks, filters, REST endpoints, and database design that respects WordPress patterns.
Development & Testing
Built to WordPress coding standards with proper escaping, sanitization, capability checks, and nonce verification. Automated and manual testing throughout.
Documentation & Handoff
Code documentation, deployment instructions, and direct knowledge transfer. Same principal engineer who built it -- 31 years of experience on the same line.
WordPress or a custom build?
WordPress wins when content and editorial workflow are central and a proven ecosystem fits. A custom build wins when the application itself is the product and WordPress’s data model would fight you. 84EM builds both and says which one a project actually needs.
Choose WordPress when
- Content and editorial workflow are central to the site
- An established plugin and theme ecosystem covers most of the need
- In-house staff should maintain it without a developer
- Budget and timeline favor a proven platform over a from-scratch build
Choose a custom build when
- The application itself is the product, not the content
- The data model or real-time demands fight WordPress’s assumptions
- You need full control over the stack and its performance ceiling
- Compliance or architecture rules out a shared CMS core
Read all testimonialsAndrew is a go-to web developer with a speciality in WordPress. He has helped me create a number of bespoke WordPress plugins for business clients needing customized functions. In each case, when presented with the business case, he helped develop tactical development plans based on best practices and then worked diligently to help implement them.
I'll add, Andrew has been able to work within in his estimated budgets allowing me to avoid overruns while also communicating with me and my team to optimize and improve the outcomes.
If you need help with specialized WordPress development, contact Andrew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do WordPress development?
Yes. WordPress development has been 84EM's core focus for 14 years, part of 31 years engineering for the web. Bespoke plugins, AI integrations, APIs, and custom workflows. See case studies for examples.
Should I use WordPress for my project?
WordPress powers over 40% of the web. It's flexible, well-supported, and cost-effective for most sites. It's not ideal for highly interactive applications or specialized performance needs. 84EM provides an honest recommendation based on your actual requirements, not a platform preference.
What's the difference between WordPress.com and WordPress.org?
WordPress.org is self-hosted with full control and unlimited customization. WordPress.com is a hosted service with plugin and theme limitations. 84EM works with WordPress.org and can assist with migration.
Is WordPress secure?
Yes, when properly maintained. Security depends on updates, passwords, hosting, and plugins, not WordPress itself. Best practices are implemented on all projects.
Can you build accessible (ADA/WCAG compliant) websites?
Yes. 84EM targets WCAG 2.2 AA with semantic HTML, ARIA attributes, keyboard navigation, and color contrast compliance.
Do I own the code you write?
Yes. All custom code is owned by the client. Full access provided. Documentation included. No lock-in.
Outgrown your template?
Say what your WordPress site needs to do. Custom plugins, WooCommerce, headless, performance -- built to handle growth.
Folks We've Helped
