You’ve been through the cycle. Hired a freelancer who disappeared mid-project. Tried an agency that charged Rs 3,00,000 and delivered a bloated theme with 40 plugins. Maybe you built something yourself on a page builder, and now it loads in 6 seconds and breaks every time WordPress updates.
I’m Gaurav Tiwari, a WordPress developer based in Delhi. I build WordPress sites that load fast, rank well, and don’t fall apart when you need to change something. I’ve been doing this for over a decade, working with businesses across India and globally. Not agencies. Not teams. Me, writing the code, making the decisions, and standing behind the work.
If you need a WordPress site built right, or an existing one fixed, keep reading. I’ll explain exactly what I do, how I work, what it costs, and how to get started.
WordPress Development Services I Offer
I don’t do everything. I do WordPress, and I do it well. Here’s exactly what I build and what falls outside my scope.
Custom WordPress Development
From scratch builds where I write the theme, configure the backend, and set up the content structure. This is for businesses that need something specific, not a template with your logo swapped in. I build with the block editor (Gutenberg) and custom blocks, so you can actually edit your own content without calling me every time.
Recent examples: a membership site with gated content and Stripe payments, a multi-language education portal with 3,000+ pages, and a SaaS marketing site that scores 98 on PageSpeed Insights.
Block Theme Development
WordPress block themes are the future. They use the Site Editor for full visual control, load faster than classic themes, and give you more editing flexibility. I build custom block themes with theme.json configuration, custom block patterns, and template parts. If you’re still on a classic theme, I can migrate you to a block theme without losing your content or SEO rankings.
Plugin Development
Custom plugins for functionality that doesn’t exist or where existing plugins are bloated. I’ve built custom booking systems, affiliate link managers, content restriction plugins, and API integrations. Every plugin follows WordPress coding standards, uses proper hooks and filters, and doesn’t conflict with other plugins. I also maintain plugins on the WordPress.org repository with 10,000+ active installs.
WooCommerce Development
Custom WooCommerce stores with payment gateway integration (Razorpay, PayU, Stripe, PayPal), custom checkout flows, product configurators, and subscription setups. I don’t use WooCommerce themes. I build lightweight themes that only load WooCommerce assets on shop pages, keeping the rest of your site fast.
Performance Optimization
Slow WordPress sites are usually caused by three things: too many plugins, unoptimized images, and cheap hosting. I audit your site, identify the bottlenecks, and fix them. Typical results: load time drops from 4-8 seconds to under 2 seconds. Core Web Vitals go from failing to passing. I’ve written about the caching tools I use and about setting up Cloudflare R2 for WordPress asset delivery.
Migration and Maintenance
Moving from Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, or another CMS to WordPress. Or moving between WordPress hosts. I handle the full migration: content, SEO redirects (every single URL), DNS configuration, and post-migration testing. For maintenance, I offer monthly plans that cover updates, backups, security monitoring, and up to 4 hours of development work per month.
My Development Process
Every project follows the same five phases. No surprises, no scope creep, no “we’ll figure it out as we go.” Here’s what each phase looks like and how long it takes.
Phase 1: Discovery (1 Week)
We get on a 60-90 minute call. I ask about your business, your audience, your goals, and your pain points with your current site. I review your existing site (if you have one), check your analytics, and look at your competitors. By the end of the week, you get a project brief that outlines exactly what I’ll build, why, and how long it’ll take.
I also tell you what I won’t build. If something in your wish list doesn’t make sense for your business or budget, I’ll say so. You’re paying for my experience, not just my coding time.
Phase 2: Design and Architecture (1-2 Weeks)
I create wireframes for key pages, define the content structure, and plan the technical architecture. This includes choosing the right hosting (I recommend Hetzner, Vultr, or Racknerd depending on your traffic and budget), setting up the development environment, and creating the theme.json configuration.
You review the wireframes and sign off before any code gets written. Changes at this stage cost nothing. Changes after coding starts cost time and money.
Phase 3: Development (2-6 Weeks)
This is where the building happens. I work in weekly sprints with a demo at the end of each week. You see progress in real time on a staging site. Every sprint has a defined scope, and you can give feedback after each one.
I code in PHP, JavaScript, and React. The theme is built with block editor support from day one. Custom blocks use ACF or native WordPress block API depending on complexity. Everything goes through version control (Git), so nothing gets lost and any change can be reversed.
Phase 4: Testing (1 Week)
Cross-browser testing (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). Mobile testing on actual devices, not just browser emulators. Performance testing with Lighthouse, WebPageTest, and real-world 3G throttling. Accessibility testing with axe and manual keyboard navigation. SEO audit with web standards and proper markup. I fix everything found during testing before launch.
Phase 5: Launch and Support
DNS switch, SSL setup, final content migration, and 301 redirects for any changed URLs. I monitor the site for 2 weeks post-launch to catch anything that breaks in production. Every project includes 30 days of free support after launch for bug fixes and minor adjustments.
Technology Stack
I pick tools based on what works, not what’s trendy. Here’s what I use and why.
| Category | Tools | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CMS | WordPress 6.x | Powers 43% of the web. Flexible, extensible, and I know it inside out |
| Languages | PHP 8.2+, JavaScript (ES6+), TypeScript | WordPress core runs on PHP. Modern JS for interactive features |
| Frontend | Block Editor, React, CSS custom properties | Native WordPress editing experience with modern styling |
| Custom Fields | ACF Pro, WordPress meta API | Structured content without hardcoding |
| Build Tools | wp-scripts, Vite, webpack | WordPress-native tooling for blocks and assets |
| Version Control | Git, GitHub | Every project gets a private repository with commit history |
| Deployment | WP-CLI, GitHub Actions, SSH | Automated deployments from Git to staging and production |
| Performance | FlyingPress, Cloudflare R2, Redis | Sub-2-second load times on any hosting |
| SEO | Rank Math, Schema markup, structured data | Technical SEO baked into the theme, not bolted on |
| Hosting | Hetzner, Vultr, Cloudways, RunCloud | Right-sized hosting for each project’s traffic and budget |
I’ve written about my WordPress block editor setup and the Mac apps I use for WordPress development if you want a deeper look at my workflow.
WordPress Specializations
Beyond standard WordPress development, I work on projects that most freelancers won’t touch.
Headless WordPress
WordPress as a backend with a React or Next.js frontend. This gives you the familiar WordPress admin for content editing with a lightning-fast frontend that scores 100 on every Core Web Vital. I’ve built headless setups for content-heavy sites that needed to serve 50,000+ daily visitors without breaking a sweat.
WordPress REST API Integrations
Connecting WordPress to external systems: CRMs, payment processors, inventory management, membership platforms, and custom dashboards. The REST API turns WordPress into a content hub that feeds data to any system that speaks JSON. I’ve built integrations with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, Razorpay, and custom internal tools.
WordPress Multisite
For businesses that need multiple sites sharing one codebase: franchise networks, university departments, multi-brand companies. I set up multisite with proper domain mapping, shared plugins, and network-level management. This cuts maintenance effort by 60-70% compared to running separate WordPress installs.
Enterprise WordPress
WordPress at scale with custom user roles, editorial workflows, content staging, and audit trails. I’ve built WordPress setups that handle 100+ editors, multi-language content in 8 languages, and complex approval chains. WordPress can handle enterprise requirements when it’s set up by someone who understands both the CMS and the business process.
Portfolio Highlights
I can’t share every client’s name (NDAs exist), but here’s the type of work I’ve done and the results:
- SaaS marketing site: Block theme with custom blocks, 98 PageSpeed score, 40% improvement in organic traffic within 6 months after launch
- E-commerce store (WooCommerce): Custom checkout flow with Razorpay, load time under 1.8 seconds, 22% increase in conversion rate from the previous theme
- Education portal: 3,000+ pages with custom taxonomy structure, multi-language support, and a quiz system built as a custom plugin
- Publishing network: WordPress Multisite with 12 sites, shared ad management plugin, centralized analytics dashboard
- Membership site: Gated content with Stripe recurring payments, custom member dashboard, drip content scheduling
- Performance rescue: Took a 9-second load time site to 1.4 seconds by removing 28 unnecessary plugins, rebuilding the theme, and moving to proper hosting
I’ve worked with several well-known brands across SaaS, publishing, education, and e-commerce. The common thread is that they needed WordPress done right, not just WordPress done quickly.
Why WordPress
Sometimes clients ask why I recommend WordPress over Webflow, Framer, or custom React apps. The answer depends on their situation, but for most businesses, WordPress wins for clear reasons.
You own everything. Your code, your content, your database, your hosting. If you stop working with me tomorrow, you take everything with you. Try doing that with Webflow or Squarespace.
43% of the web runs on it. That means every problem has been solved, every integration exists, and finding another developer if needed is straightforward. I’ve seen businesses locked into custom frameworks where the original developer left and nobody could maintain the code.
The block editor changed everything. WordPress used to need a developer for every content change. Now, with block themes and the Site Editor, clients edit layouts, change colors, and add pages without touching code. I build the structure. You run the show.
SEO is built in. WordPress’s clean URL structure, heading hierarchy, image handling, and schema support (especially with Rank Math) give you a strong foundation. I’ve seen WordPress sites outrank custom-built competitors simply because WordPress makes it easy to do SEO right. Check out the WordPress page builders comparison to understand how the editing experience has evolved.
The plugin ecosystem is unmatched. Need a booking system? There’s a plugin. Need multi-language support? There’s a plugin. Need a membership system? There’s a plugin. And when plugins don’t cut it, I build custom ones that do exactly what you need without the bloat. WordPress’s hook system means custom functionality can be added without modifying core files, which makes updates safe and maintenance simple.
Cost of ownership is lower. A custom React app needs ongoing developer support for every content change. Webflow charges monthly fees that increase with traffic. WordPress sites cost you hosting (Rs 400-2,000/month) and that’s it. Your content team can manage everything else. Over 3 years, the total cost of ownership for a WordPress site is typically 40-60% less than equivalent platforms.
Pricing
I charge project-based fees, not hourly. You know the total cost before we start. No surprises, no “that’ll be extra” midway through. Here’s the general range.
| Service | Price Range (INR) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic WordPress Site | Rs 50,000 – 1,50,000 | 5-10 pages, responsive design, SEO setup, contact form, 30 days support |
| Custom WordPress Development | Rs 1,50,000 – 5,00,000+ | Custom theme, custom blocks, API integrations, performance tuning, 60 days support |
| WooCommerce Store | Rs 1,00,000 – 4,00,000 | Product setup, payment gateway, custom checkout, shipping configuration |
| Plugin Development | Rs 50,000 – 3,00,000 | Depends on complexity. Simple plugins take 1-2 weeks. Complex ones take 4-8 weeks |
| Performance Optimization | Rs 25,000 – 75,000 | Full audit, server optimization, caching, image optimization, Core Web Vitals fixes |
| Monthly Maintenance | Rs 15,000 – 50,000/month | Updates, backups, security monitoring, up to 4 hours dev work, priority support |
For international clients, I charge in USD. A basic site starts at $800, custom development from $2,500, and monthly maintenance from $200. Payment via wire transfer, Razorpay, or PayPal.
Every project starts with a free 30-minute consultation call where I assess your needs and give you a rough estimate. No obligations, no sales pitch. Just a straight conversation about what you need and what it’ll cost.
Based in Delhi, Working Globally
My office is in Delhi, India. Most of my meetings happen over Google Meet or Zoom. I work in IST (UTC+5:30) and overlap comfortably with European business hours and US morning hours.
For Delhi-based clients, I’m available for in-person meetings during the discovery phase. For everyone else, video calls and shared project boards work perfectly. I’ve delivered projects for clients in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, UAE, and across India without ever meeting them in person.
Communication happens through a shared project board (I use Monday.com) where every task, decision, and file lives in one place. You always know what’s happening, what’s next, and when it’ll be done. I respond to messages within 4 business hours, usually much faster.
Time zones haven’t been an issue. I’ve shipped projects with clients in San Francisco (13.5 hours behind), Sydney (5.5 hours ahead), and London (5.5 hours behind). Async communication through the project board handles 80% of interactions. Calls happen when we need to discuss design decisions or review sprint demos.
For Delhi-NCR businesses specifically, I understand the local market. I know what Razorpay integration looks like for Indian customers. I know how to handle GST invoicing in WooCommerce. I know which hosting providers give the best latency for Indian visitors. And I can meet you for coffee in Connaught Place to discuss your project if you prefer face-to-face conversations.
How to Get Started
The process is simple:
- Schedule a free 30-minute call. Use the form below or email me directly. Tell me what you need, even if it’s just “my website is slow and I hate it.” That’s a valid starting point.
- I’ll review your situation. If you have an existing site, I’ll check it before our call. If you’re starting fresh, I’ll come prepared with questions about your business and goals.
- You get a proposal within 3 business days. Clear scope, fixed price, realistic timeline. No fluff, no jargon, no “it depends on many factors.”
- We start with 50% upfront. The remaining 50% is due at launch. For maintenance plans, billing is monthly in advance.
I take on 2-3 projects at a time. This means I sometimes have a 2-4 week wait before I can start. If your project is urgent, mention that in your inquiry and I’ll let you know what’s possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a typical WordPress project take?
A basic WordPress site takes 3-4 weeks from kickoff to launch. Custom development with unique features takes 6-10 weeks. WooCommerce stores typically take 5-8 weeks. These timelines assume you provide content and feedback on schedule. Delays on your end push the launch date accordingly.
How many revisions are included?
Each sprint demo includes one round of revisions on the work presented. Major scope changes (adding new features, changing the structure) are handled through a change request that adjusts the timeline and budget. Minor tweaks (color changes, text edits, spacing adjustments) are unlimited within reason.
Do you provide hosting?
I don’t sell hosting directly. I recommend and set up hosting based on your project’s needs and budget. For most projects, I recommend Hetzner Cloud (starting at Rs 400/month) or Vultr (starting at Rs 500/month) with RunCloud for server management. This gives you full control and better performance than shared hosting at a similar price.
Can you work with my existing designer?
Yes. I work from Figma files, Adobe XD, or even detailed wireframes. If your designer provides the visual direction, I handle the implementation. I’ll flag anything that won’t work well on mobile or that conflicts with web performance early in the process.
What happens after launch?
Every project includes 30 days of free support for bug fixes and minor adjustments. After that, you can sign up for a monthly maintenance plan (Rs 15,000-50,000/month) or hire me on an as-needed basis for future changes. I also provide documentation and a walkthrough video so your team can manage day-to-day content without developer help.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. I sign NDAs before the discovery phase if needed. Your business information, project details, and any proprietary data stay confidential. I don’t share client work in my portfolio without written permission.
What if I’m not happy with the work?
The weekly sprint demos exist to prevent this. You see progress every week and give feedback before the next sprint starts. If at any point you want to stop, you keep all the work completed up to that point and only pay for completed sprints. I’ve never had a project cancelled mid-way, but the option is there.
Can you help with SEO and content after the site is built?
I set up the technical SEO foundation: proper URL structure, schema markup, XML sitemaps, Core Web Vitals, and Rank Math configuration. For ongoing content strategy and SEO campaigns, I can recommend trusted partners. I focus on what I’m best at: building and maintaining WordPress sites.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Tell me about your project. I’ll get back to you within 24 hours with availability for a call.