Web Application Development

When it comes to building modern web applications, choosing the right development partner can make or break your project. As a UK-based full-stack developer with over a decade of experience, I specialise in creating custom web applications that solve real business problems and scale with your growth.

Why Choose Custom Web Application Development?

Off-the-shelf solutions like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace work brilliantly for simple websites and blogs. However, when your business requires unique functionality, complex integrations, or needs to handle significant user loads, custom development becomes essential. A bespoke web application is built specifically for your workflows, your users, and your business goals — not forcing you to adapt to someone else's idea of how things should work.

Custom web applications offer several distinct advantages. First, they provide complete flexibility in design and functionality. Whether you need a sophisticated booking system, a multi-vendor marketplace, or an internal tool that connects to your existing systems, everything can be tailored precisely to your requirements. Second, custom applications scale efficiently. Unlike generic solutions that often become sluggish under load, a well-architected custom application can handle growth gracefully — from hundreds to thousands to millions of users.

My Technical Approach

I build web applications using a modern, battle-tested technology stack. On the frontend, I primarily work with React and Next.js — the same technologies used by companies like Netflix, Notion, and TikTok. Next.js provides excellent performance through server-side rendering and static generation, ensuring fast page loads and strong SEO performance. Combined with TypeScript, this creates a development environment where bugs are caught early and code remains maintainable over time.

For backend development, I use Node.js with Express or Fastify for high-performance APIs, or Laravel (PHP) when that better fits the project requirements. Database design is crucial for any web application — I work with PostgreSQL for complex relational data, MySQL for traditional applications, and MongoDB when document storage makes more sense. Every database schema is carefully designed with proper indexing, normalisation where appropriate, and consideration for future scaling needs.

Security and Performance

Security is not an afterthought in my development process — it's fundamental. Every application I build includes proper authentication (OAuth 2.0, JWT tokens), role-based access control, input validation, SQL injection prevention, XSS protection, and CSRF tokens. I follow OWASP guidelines and regularly update dependencies to patch security vulnerabilities.

Performance optimisation is equally important. I implement caching strategies at multiple levels (browser, CDN, application, database), optimise images and assets, use code splitting to reduce initial load times, and set up proper monitoring to identify bottlenecks. The goal is an application that feels instant, even under heavy load.

Working with UK Businesses

Based in the United Kingdom, I understand the specific needs of British businesses. This includes GDPR compliance built into applications from the start, integration with UK payment providers like Stripe and GoCardless, proper handling of British date formats and currency, and communication in reasonable UK working hours. I've worked with startups in London, agencies in Manchester, and enterprises across the country.

The Development Process

My development process is transparent and collaborative. After an initial discovery phase where I understand your requirements deeply, I design the technical architecture and share it with you for approval. Development happens in iterative sprints with regular demos — you see progress every week, not just at the end. This approach means you can provide feedback early and often, reducing the risk of building something that doesn't meet your needs.

Once the application is ready, I handle deployment to your preferred platform (Vercel, AWS, DigitalOcean, or others), set up monitoring and alerting, and provide documentation for your team. Post-launch support is available as a separate retainer if needed.

Investment and Timeline

Custom web application development is an investment. Depending on complexity, projects typically range from six weeks for an MVP to six months or more for comprehensive enterprise applications. During our initial consultation, I provide detailed estimates based on your specific requirements — no vague ranges, but realistic timelines based on experience with similar projects.

If you're considering a custom web application for your business, I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss your project. Whether you have a detailed specification or just an idea, a conversation costs nothing and can help clarify whether custom development is the right path for you.