Hello,
I'm Stephen.
A software developer and web designer based in Largs, North Ayrshire. I build websites and useful tools for small businesses, with the same person looking after the design, the code and the details in between.
Design & Development
I studied computing with artificial intelligence at university and have worked extensively in the travel industry as a software engineer, using Ruby on Rails and JavaScript.
I bring that experience to websites for local businesses: thinking about what the site needs to do, how people will use it and what happens after it launches.
A good-looking page is part of the job. So are a working enquiry form, clear information on a phone and a setup you understand. Those details matter when the website is part of how you make a living.
I can also help with small custom tools and integrations, and practical ways to use AI. We start with the job you need done and agree the right scope for it.
A proper conversation.
A clear way forward.
How I like to work, whichever kind of website you need.
A clear plan.
We agree the scope, price and running costs in writing before work starts. You get a preview to review before the site goes live.
Straight answers.
If one page is enough, I'll say so. If an existing tool can do the job, we can use it. The useful solution is the one that fits your business.
You keep control.
Your domain is registered in your name. You know which accounts and services are involved, and how to get help when you need it.
I build businesses, too.
These are a few of my own projects. Different audiences and different jobs for the websites to do.
Largs is home.
I work with businesses across North Ayrshire, the Clyde coast and further afield. If you're nearby, we can arrange a chat. If you're further away, email, a call and a working preview keep us connected.
Shops, trades, cafes, salons and holiday lets all need different things from a website. Tell me about yours, and we can work out what would be useful.
See the areas I coverOff the clock.
A few things beyond websites.
- Favourite food?
- Cake.
- Favourite drink?
- Ginger lemon blast.
- What's playing while you work?
- Aphex Twin, Metallica, Captain Beefheart, Voices from the Lake, and musicForProgramming.
- Best gig you've been to?
- Neutral Milk Hotel at the Barrowlands in Glasgow, 2013.
- Films you'd happily watch again?
- Clerks, Chinatown, Profondo Rosso, Once Upon a Time in the West, Sicario, Dazed and Confused, The Big Sleep.
- TV shows you’d recommend?
- The Wire, Billions, Columbo, Better Call Saul, Salamander, Spiral.
- Favourite books?
- Redwall by Brian Jacques, The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, Factotum by Charles Bukowski, Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson, and Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson.
- Somewhere you'd love to visit?
- Cairo, Luxor, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Göbekli Tepe, Angkor Wat, Petra, Kailasa Temple, Kruger National Park, Teotihuacán, Tiwanaku, Chichén Itzá, Bagan and Ellora Caves. I’m not saying it was aliens…
- Favourite video games?
- Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, Life is Strange, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Detroit: Become Human and What Remains of Edith Finch.
- Tech stack?
- Rails, Cloudflare, Hotwire. Omarchy Linux (I use Arch, you know). Codex, Claude, Grok Bot and Cursor for company. A soft spot for HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Astro. Fast sites, fewer moving parts.
Working together.
A few things you might want to know before saying hello.
Do you work on your own?
Yes, I work on my own. I'm open to working alongside other designers and developers, but I'm done with being an employee and working from an office.
Can you help with a website I already have?
Probably. I'm happy to take a quick look for free to be sure first.
Do I need to be in Largs?
No. I’m happy to work with you from anywhere in the world. I’ve spent the last ten years working remotely, and I love it. I built Forcepull to help others do the same.
What if I’m not sure what the site should do?
It’s free to talk about it. Get in touch and I can at least offer some advice. I don’t mind if it doesn’t go any further.
Can you help with the words and photos?
Yes. Bring whatever you have, even rough notes, and I can help work out what the site needs. We’ll agree any copywriting, photography or substantial editing separately, so you know what’s included.
How much time will you need from me?
A chat to get started, your business details and content, then time to review the preview. You don’t need to manage the build. I’ll make it clear what I need from you and when.
Can we start small and add more later?
Absolutely. We can start with what’s useful now and build on it as your business grows. Extra pages, bookings, a shop or other features can be scoped and quoted when you need them.
Can I update the website myself?
That depends on the setup. If you want to edit content yourself, tell me at the start and we’ll choose a suitable approach. If you’d rather leave updates to me, that’s fine too. Existing-content updates are included for the first year, with the details agreed before we start.
What happens if I want to change something during the build?
Tell me. The preview is there for your feedback. If a change adds to the agreed scope, I’ll explain any effect on the price or timing before we go ahead.
Will I still be able to reach you after the site is live?
Yes, I’ll still be around. I’m not going anywhere.
Good things start with a conversation.
Tell me what you're thinking.
A new website, a fresh start, or a question about what is possible.
You bring the idea.
I'll build the website.
A conversation first. A clear quote before we start.
Got a question? Send me a message
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