SOLARISE
DEV
Robin Metcalfe

Robin has been building websites and digital experiences for more than 15 years. He is currently not a muppet

LET'S BUILD TOGETHER

MY PHILOSOPHY

I believe that great web development is about more than just writing code. It's about the people and the process. I make websites for people to use, enjoy & experience. I want the web to be fun!

PAST & PRESENT

THE BEGINNING (2003-2008)

I started out on my web dev journey working for a party gift e-commerce website, helping build features with Zen Cart. I also found work at MapMe, a fledgling startup harnessing early Google Maps services.

EARLY AGENCY & IN-HOUSE (2008-2011)

I helped the publishing company Foulsham develop their own presence, building a number of online properties with Typo3. I also worked at Ubitrac, a tech startup, where I was responsible for server management and performance optimization.

GOING INDEPENDENT & AGENCY WORK (2011-PRESENT)

Designed and implemented RESTful APIs at startup Lipvine. Began freelancing as Solarise in 2010. Consulted for Webwise Creative, worked with Luminous Creative, Future Studios, Dawson Andrews, Studio Simpatico, and others, delivering bespoke solutions across WordPress, Laravel, and Craft CMS.

TODAY

As founder of Solarise, I manage the full freelance lifecycle: client outreach, project planning, technical delivery, and deployment. Still hands-on, still building — but with purpose.

CORE SKILLS

Backend Development95%
WordPress Development90%
Databases88%
Frontend (JavaScript/React)85%
UI/UX Design Principles80%
DevOps & Deployment82%

HOW IT'S DONE

  • 01

    STRATEGIC PLANNING

    Focus on planning, development, deployment. Sit down to focus on strategy, mapping out the development and also figuring out the end-game deployment and maintenance.

  • 02

    PRAGMATIC PROBLEM SOLVING

    I'm great at figuring out what a project actually needs, choosing solutions and helping the client get there. I aim for "good enough" without getting bogged down with complexity.

  • 03

    CLEAR COMMUNICATION

    I'll be client-facing, hopping on calls, keeping you updated. I use Slack, email, Trello and WhatsApp for comms and scheduled meetings or calls where appropriate.

  • 04

    AI-ASSISTED WORKFLOW

    I'll get assistance from AI for tests, boilerplate, content scaffolding but I still own the quality, always checking and confirming code completeness.

Development Approach

SERVICES I OFFER

BESPOKE DEVELOPMENT

Building custom themes, plugins (WordPress) or full applications (Laravel) from scratch or based on agency designs. API-driven backends, interactive frontends.

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WEB STRATEGY & PLANNING

Involvement in project planning, mapping out development phases, technical scoping, documentation, and advising on deployment and maintenance strategies.

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MAINTENANCE & SUPPORT

Offering ongoing retainers for WordPress and Laravel sites, keeping platforms secure, updated, and performing optimally. Troubleshooting and ad-hoc solutions.

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WHAT CLIENTS SAY

❝

"Robin is a fantastic person to work with. He is approachable and professional, and his knowledge of web design and coding is very impressive. I will use Robin as a first port of call for any web projects I have because I know that he delivers results. Highly recommended!"

DD

David Davidopoulos

Creative Director

❝

"I worked with Robin whilst developing an app... He was well versed in most of the APIs required, and where he wasn’t so sure he spent the time to research them. Project management went smoothly with regular updates. His ability to avoid technical jargon, explain the complex in plain English, and his patience for many changes were only some of his his strengths."

MN

Michael Nisbet

Head Of Digital at XL Event Lab

Questions About Me & My Work

I specialize in PHP development with a strong focus on the Laravel framework for custom applications and APIs. I also have extensive experience with WordPress, including custom theme and plugin development, and modern JavaScript frameworks like Vue.js and Alpine.js for dynamic frontends. My expertise also covers API integration, DevOps practices, and strategic web planning.

I work on a diverse range of projects, from building bespoke web applications and e-commerce platforms to developing custom WordPress themes and plugins. I also assist agencies with complex integrations (e.g., Salesforce, payment gateways) and provide technical consultancy. You can see some examples on my past projects page.

Both! I enjoy collaborating directly with businesses and individuals to bring their visions to life. I also have a strong track record of working as a reliable technical partner for design and marketing agencies, providing development expertise for their client projects.

My availability can vary, but I'm always open to discussing new and interesting projects. The best way to find out is to get in touch with some details about your needs.

READY TO BUILD EXPERIENCE
THAT MATTERS?

Let's discuss how I can help you create a digital experience that engages your audience and achieves your business goals.

START A CONVERSATION