Developing High Quality WordPress Websites Through Training and Education

screenshot Cascadia K9 Search Dogs website

WordPress Child Theme Development: Scott Marlow

My latest WordPress child theme project for Cascadia Search Dogs – a nonprofit dedicated to the development of high quality detection and search dogs through training and education. This membership-based site supports the organization’s K9 Search & Rescue mission in the Pacific Northwest.

With a total page size of 585 Kb and only 24 server requests, this site ranks in the 90th percentile of Google PageSpeed Insights:

Mobile Speed Optimization: 93/100
Desktop Speed Optimization: 97/100

I offer WordPress training classes, site consultations, and ongoing support and consulting. If you are interested in learning more about WordPress, please contact me.

One WordPress Theme. Endless Possibilities.

Bike Works mobile responsive website

Client: Bike Works

Scope of Work:
Front-end web development, Performance optimization, Rebranding, Security hardening, Visual redesign

Team: Penniless Projects, Scott Marlow

The Challenge

To rebrand the existing nonprofit’s WordPress website affordably.

The Results

To keep costs affordable, we built the new site design using the same HTML5 mobile responsive 2012 child theme (based on _Underscores). New full browser-bleed headers featuring custom photography help modernize the look and feel. While readability was optimized with an 1,100 pixel wide 2-column grid layout. Bold custom fonts and colors help distinguish the youthful brand.

Performance WordPress Site Benchmark
Google Mobile Speed: 72
Google Desktop Speed 87
Pingdom 89 faster than 77% of tested sites
WebPageTest Speed Index 2,211 median = ~4,493
top 10% = <1,388
YSlow 80 average score = 70
Web Page Size 1 Mb In 2017, average page size = ~2.4 Mb
median page size = ~1.9 Mb
Web Server Requests 38 < 40 – 60 recommended

Maintain Multiple Domains with WordPress

Würks Global

Client: Würks Global

Scope of Work
Branding
Content management
Front-End web development
Performance optimization
Security hardening
Visual design

Team: Gravity Communications, Scott Marlow

Solmark International needed an online solution to promote its tire sealants and other products for the automobile, bicycle and agricultural industries.

Working with WordPress MultiSite, a Content Management System was configured to allow them to update multiple domains thru one web-based dashboard.

The co-branded sites – wurksglobal.com, veluworks.com, autoworks.com and agriwurks.com – were built around a modern, dark theme to highlight rich photography. An online dealer map helps VeloWurks customers find retailers. A co-branded sitewide footer helps cross-promote products across distinct domains.

Performance Metrics

Performance WordPress Site Benchmark
Google Mobile Speed: 60
Google Desktop Speed 98
Pingdom 83 faster than 87% of tested sites
WebPageTest Speed Index 1,878 median = ~4,493
top 10% = <1,388
YSlow 77 average score = 70
Web Page Size 1.2 Mb In 2017, average page size = ~2.4 Mb
median page size = ~1.9 Mb
Web Server Requests 40 < 40 – 60 recommended

We have worked with Scott on WordPress based websites for our clients as well as our own projects for years. His knowledge of the platform, solid communication skills and personal support (and more) make him a trusted and valued asset for us. I would highly recommend Scott to anyone wanting to create and launch a website on the WordPress platform.
Matt Karaus, owner, Gravity Communications

Clear Your Expectations. Rediscover WordPress.

screenshot-floating-website

Graphic Design: Kelly Davis, Farm Girl Works
Copywriting: Christa Gardner
Mobile Responsive WordPress Development: Scott Marlow

A new mobile responsive WordPress website for Uncharted Waters Float Center in Tacoma.

Total Page Size: 280 Kb (faster than 87% of tested websites)

Many thanks to you, Kelly, and Christa on an amazing job!
Jonathan Murray, owner