Phil Kurth
/ Services / WordPress Website Design

Custom WordPress website design & development

I design and build WordPress websites that are tailored to your business, not assembled from off-the-shelf templates. Whether you need a professional online presence, an e-commerce store, or a complex membership platform, I handle everything from strategy through to launch and ongoing support.

WordPress websites built for your business

Every business is different, and your website should reflect that. I build WordPress sites that are purpose-built for your goals, your audience, and the way you actually work. Here are the types of projects I take on most often.

Custom Business Websites

Professional websites designed to establish credibility, attract the right visitors, and convert them into enquiries. Built with a custom WordPress theme, structured content management, and SEO foundations that give you a genuine competitive edge. Whether you're a tradesperson, a professional services firm, or a growing brand, your site will be built specifically for your business, not stretched from a generic template.

E-commerce & WooCommerce Stores

Online stores built on WooCommerce that handle products, payments, shipping, and inventory management. I set up everything from simple product catalogues to complex stores with variable pricing, subscription products, and third-party integrations. You get a store that looks polished, works reliably, and is straightforward for you to manage day-to-day.

Membership & Subscription Sites

Gated content platforms, online learning portals, and subscription-based businesses built on WordPress. I implement member registration, content access controls, recurring payments, and user dashboards. These systems are built to be robust and scalable so they grow with your audience without requiring constant developer intervention.

Portfolio & Showcase Sites

Visually driven websites for creatives, architects, photographers, and agencies that need their work to speak for itself. I build custom gallery layouts, filterable project archives, and image-optimised themes that load fast without sacrificing visual impact. The CMS is set up so you can add and organise new work without touching code.

I don't install themes and tweak colours. I design and build every site from scratch.

That means your website is genuinely yours, built for your goals, your audience, and your growth.

How I build websites

Every project follows a clear, structured process. No guesswork, no disappearing for weeks at a time. You'll know exactly where things stand at each stage, and you'll have the opportunity to provide feedback before I move forward.

1

Strategy & Planning

Before any design work begins, I work with you to define the purpose of your website, your target audience, the content structure, and the key actions you want visitors to take. This groundwork shapes every decision that follows and ensures the final product is aligned with your business goals, not just aesthetically pleasing.

2

Design

I create a visual design that reflects your brand and speaks to your audience. This includes layout, typography, colour palette, and the overall feel of the site. You'll see mockups of key pages and we'll refine the direction together before a single line of code is written.

3

Development

The approved design is built into a fully custom WordPress theme. I use modern development tools and best practices to ensure your site is fast, accessible, and easy to manage. The content management system is configured so you can update text, images, and pages without needing a developer for day-to-day changes.

4

Testing & Launch

Before launch, I thoroughly test across devices and browsers, check performance metrics, verify SEO settings, and walk you through how to manage your new site. Once everything is approved, I handle the deployment: DNS, SSL, redirects, and all the technical details that ensure a smooth go-live.

5

Ongoing Support

A website launch is the beginning, not the end. I offer managed hosting, maintenance plans, and ongoing development support so your site stays secure, up to date, and continues to evolve as your business grows. You'll always have a direct line to the person who built it.

Why work with me

There are plenty of web designers out there. Here's what makes working with me different.

Nearly 20 years of experience

I've been building websites professionally since 2007. That's nearly two decades of solving real problems for real businesses, from solo operators to enterprise media companies. I've seen platforms come and go, and WordPress has remained at the centre of my work because it consistently delivers for my clients.

Custom-built, not template installs

Every website I build starts with a blank canvas. I don't purchase premium themes and adjust them. I write the code myself. This means your site performs better, is easier to maintain, and doesn't come loaded with features you'll never use. You get exactly what you need and nothing you don't.

Full-stack capability

I handle everything from visual design and front-end development through to server configuration and managed hosting. There's no need to coordinate between a designer, a developer, and a hosting provider. One person, one point of contact, complete accountability for the result.

Direct communication

When you work with me, you work with me. Not a project manager, not a junior developer, not a support ticket queue. I'm the person who understands your project inside and out, and I'm the one you talk to when you have questions, feedback, or new ideas.

Ongoing support after launch

I don't hand over a website and disappear. Most of my clients continue working with me for hosting, maintenance, and incremental improvements long after the initial build. Your website is a living asset, and I'm here to help it grow alongside your business.

Modern tooling & best practices

I use version-controlled development workflows, staging environments, and modern build tools. Your site is built with clean, well-structured code that any competent developer could pick up. You're never locked in to working exclusively with me.

Built with proven technologies

I choose tools based on reliability, performance, and long-term maintainability, not whatever's trending this month. Here's what powers the websites I build.

WordPress

The world's most widely used CMS. Flexible, extensible, and backed by a massive ecosystem. It's the foundation of nearly every site I build.

PHP & Advanced Custom Fields

PHP is the engine behind WordPress, and ACF is my go-to tool for building structured, flexible content editing interfaces that make sense to non-developers.

WooCommerce

The leading e-commerce platform for WordPress. I build and customise WooCommerce stores with payment gateways, shipping logic, and integrations tailored to your business.

Tailwind CSS & JavaScript

Modern front-end tools for building responsive, accessible interfaces that look great on every device. For more complex applications, I also work with Laravel and React.

Frequently asked questions

Most custom WordPress websites take between 6 and 12 weeks from strategy through to launch. Simpler brochure sites can be quicker, while complex builds with e-commerce, memberships, or custom integrations may take longer. I'll give you a realistic timeline during our initial conversation based on your specific requirements.

Custom WordPress websites typically start from around $5,000 for a straightforward business site and scale up depending on complexity. E-commerce stores, membership platforms, and sites with custom integrations naturally cost more. I provide detailed quotes after understanding your goals and requirements. No hidden fees or surprise invoices.

Absolutely. I regularly redesign existing WordPress sites, whether that means a complete visual overhaul, restructuring the content architecture, or rebuilding the theme from scratch while preserving your existing content and SEO equity. I'll assess your current site and recommend the best approach based on your goals and budget.

Yes. I offer managed WordPress hosting on high-performance servers in Sydney. This includes automated backups, security monitoring, SSL certificates, performance optimisation, and direct support from me, not a helpdesk queue. Most of my clients choose to host with me for the convenience of having their developer and hosting provider in one place.

Need a website?
Let's talk.

From website design & SEO through to custom WordPress plugin development. I transform ideas into dynamic, engaging, and high-performing solutions.

Phil Kurth, web designer and developer in Geelong