Compliance-first delivery
From custom builds to reliable maintenance
PHP still runs a large share of the web, including WordPress, Laravel applications and countless business systems. The problems we are asked to fix are familiar: sites stuck on an unsupported PHP version, page builders and dozens of plugins slowing every page, themes edited directly so updates break them, hacked sites serving spam, and custom code nobody wants to touch.
We write modern PHP: PHP 8.x, Composer-managed dependencies, PSR standards, automated tests and a deployment pipeline, whether that is a Laravel application or a custom WordPress theme and plugin. For WordPress we favour lean, block-based themes, a short list of well-maintained plugins and custom functionality in proper plugins rather than in the theme. Rescue work starts with an audit of code, plugins, hosting and security, followed by upgrades, clean-up and hardening. Larger rewrites use the incremental approach from our application modernisation practice, and speed and search work is shared with our SEO optimisation team.
You get a site or application on supported versions, measurably faster pages, hardened configuration and, if you choose, a care plan covering updates, backups, uptime monitoring and small changes. New marketing sites that need a broader design and CMS project are handled by our website development team; complex applications by custom software development.
- Custom PHP 8.x and Laravel applications and APIs
- Bespoke WordPress themes, plugins and headless builds
- PHP and WordPress version upgrades and migrations
- Malware clean-up, hardening and security monitoring
- Care plans: updates, backups, uptime monitoring and support
What's Included
Everything you need, delivered by a senior, security-first team.
Laravel & Custom PHP
Applications, APIs and admin systems with tests, queues and clean architecture.
WordPress Development
Block themes, custom plugins, WooCommerce and headless WordPress builds.
Performance Tuning
Caching, database and query optimisation, plugin clean-up and Core Web Vitals fixes.
Hardening & Clean-Up
Malware removal, file permissions, WAF, two-factor login and update policies.
Upgrades & Migrations
PHP version upgrades, legacy framework migrations and moves to new hosting.
Care Plans
Scheduled updates, off-site backups, uptime monitoring and a block of support hours.
PHP and WordPress, engineered properly
PHP still powers a large share of the web, from WordPress marketing sites to Laravel SaaS applications and long-running in-house systems. The language has matured enormously — PHP 8 brought a JIT compiler, typed properties, enums and big performance gains — but many sites still run on unsupported versions, abandoned plugins and code nobody wants to touch. We build, rescue, upgrade and maintain PHP and WordPress systems using the same engineering discipline as any modern stack: version control, automated tests, code review, CI/CD and security hardening.
What we do
Custom PHP and Laravel development
Web applications, customer portals, APIs and admin systems built with Laravel or Symfony, Composer-managed dependencies, PSR coding standards and automated tests with PHPUnit or Pest.
WordPress development
Lean custom themes, block (Gutenberg) development, custom post types and fields, WooCommerce stores and integrations — keeping the plugin list short and well maintained.
Upgrades and migrations
Upgrading from PHP 7.x to a supported PHP 8 release, moving between hosts or to the cloud, consolidating multisite installations and migrating from other CMSs, with tested rollbacks.
Speed and SEO
Diagnosing slow pages with profiling, then fixing database queries, caching (OPcache, object cache, page cache), images and front-end assets to improve Core Web Vitals. Pair with our technical SEO services for ongoing organic growth.
Security hardening and clean-up
Removing malware and backdoors, patching vulnerable plugins, enforcing strong admin authentication, least-privilege file permissions, web application firewall rules and automated backups.
WordPress or Laravel?
| Criteria | WordPress | Laravel |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Content and marketing sites, blogs, simple stores | Custom applications, portals, SaaS and APIs |
| Editing | Familiar admin and block editor | Custom admin built for your workflow |
| Flexibility | High via plugins, but constrained by them | Full control over data model and logic |
| Maintenance | Frequent core and plugin updates | Framework and dependency updates |
WordPress care plans
A care plan keeps a site secure and healthy: core, theme and plugin updates tested on staging first, uptime monitoring, daily off-site backups, security scanning, performance checks and a block of developer time for small changes. Larger infrastructure needs can be covered by our managed services.
Common PHP and WordPress pitfalls
- Running an end-of-life PHP version that no longer receives security fixes.
- Dozens of plugins, several abandoned, each a potential vulnerability.
- Editing production files directly over FTP with no version control.
- Page builders that make every page slow.
- Backups stored on the same server as the site.
How we start
Every engagement begins with a review: PHP and dependency versions, plugin inventory, code quality, security posture, hosting and performance. You get a prioritised list of fixes whether or not you continue with us. For bigger rebuilds, see website development, and for legacy PHP applications that need re-architecture, see application modernisation. If you want independent assurance afterwards, our VAPT services test the site like an attacker would.
How We Work on PHP & WordPress Projects
Audit
Review code, plugins, hosting, performance and security; agree priorities.
Stabilise
Backups, staging environment, urgent security fixes and version-control setup.
Build or Upgrade
New features, theme or plugin development, upgrades and performance work.
Maintain
Ongoing care plan or a clean handover with documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. We start with a review of the theme, plugins, PHP version, hosting and security, fix urgent issues, move the code into version control and then maintain it under a care plan or project agreement.
Yes. We audit the codebase and dependencies for compatibility, fix deprecated and breaking changes, run tests on staging and upgrade with a rollback plan.
Yes. We build Laravel applications, APIs and admin portals with automated tests, CI/CD and secure deployment to the cloud or your existing hosting.
Tested core, theme and plugin updates, uptime monitoring, off-site backups, security scanning, performance checks and a monthly allowance of developer time for small changes. Exact inclusions are listed in the plan.
Yes. We remove malicious code, identify how the attacker got in, patch the cause, rotate credentials, harden the site and request removal from blocklists if needed.
Book a free consultation. We review your site or application and send a prioritised list of findings with options and pricing.
Ready to get started with PHP & WordPress?
Book a free consultation — we'll map a secure, practical path forward.