Built for your workflow

Custom Plugin Development

Custom WordPress plugins for integrations, workflows, and focused replacement features. You get bespoke functionality for CRMs, newsletters, ATS systems, internal tools, and recurring tasks where off-the-shelf plugins are too broad, too expensive, or do not fit the way your business works.

“He gave a great boost to my website that is now on first page in Google search.”

Francesca Moresi

Private Therapist London

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Meet the developer

Hi, I’m James

I run WildPress from Battersea, London. I build and manage each project myself, and for larger projects I bring in a team of experienced freelancers to help with the more specialist work.

Most of my clients are small business owners who need their website to do real work: take enquiries, sell, publish, or connect to the systems behind the business. That shapes how I build. Less chasing design awards, more making sure the site is fast, secure, and still doing its job years after launch.

You deal with me from the first call through to launch, and most clients stay on afterwards. Some of the sites I look after today I built years ago.

What clients say about working with James

Direct access

“I like the fact I am speaking direct to James who is building the site rather than speaking to a junior account manager.”

Jonnie Shearer

Beast Store

View project

Reliable delivery

“The work was delivered quickly and exactly as quoted, with a high standard of quality.”

Oli Lacigova

OpenSwim

View project

Business focus

“He's very thoughtful, reliable and always tries to match the web design & functionality to one's mission and KPIs.”

Irena Schneider

CSGS, Kings College London

View project

What is included

What gets covered in custom plugin development

Custom plugin work usually covers one of two needs: connecting WordPress to the systems your business already uses, or replacing an oversized paid plugin with focused functionality that does exactly what you need.

Workflow fit

Functionality shaped around how your business works

Custom plugin development is useful when generic plugins force awkward workarounds or create too much operational drag. We start with the real workflow, then build the feature around the people, data, services, and decisions involved.

Business-specific logicUser role planningInternal workflow support

Admin experience

Controls your team can actually manage

The plugin should be usable after delivery. Settings screens, validation rules, labels, permissions, and admin flows are designed so your team can operate the feature without editing code.

Settings screensPermissions and validationClear admin flows

Integrations

Connect WordPress to your business stack

Many custom plugins exist because WordPress needs to talk to a system that is specific to the business. That might be an ATS, CRM, newsletter platform, internal API, reporting workflow, or several services that need to query or update WordPress reliably.

CRM and ATS integrationsNewsletter and API workflowsData sync and querying

Maintainability

Built to survive future WordPress changes

Quick custom code often becomes hard to support. We keep plugin structure, naming, error handling, compatibility, and documentation in view so future updates are easier to reason about.

Clear code structureUpdate compatibilityDocumentation notes

Safer rollout

Test the important paths before launch

Before a plugin goes live, the important actions need to be tested in context. That can include permissions, forms, checkout paths, API failure states, notifications, cron jobs, and existing plugin compatibility.

Critical workflow testsCompatibility checksRollback planning

Best route

Replace paid plugins only when it makes sense

Sometimes a business is paying every year for a large plugin or SaaS tool just to use one small feature. If that feature is stable and narrow enough, a small custom plugin can replicate the part you need, reduce subscription cost, and keep maintenance relatively light.

Build-versus-buy reviewFocused replacement featuresLower recurring cost

Case studies

Recent projects we've delivered

Real client projects, with the practical outcome behind each build.

Recruitment Revolution

Recruitment Revolution Website and Business Automations

Connecting the Website to the Recruitment Workflows Behind It

Integration service: Self-hosted n8n workflows connect the website with Monday.com, inbound channels, analytics, and internal processes.
Modular migration: Historical content and functionality moved forward efficiently from the previous WildPress-built site.

Read the case study

Centre for Nomadic Studies

Centre for Nomadic Studies Website

Turning a Large Scanned Archive into a Searchable Digital Collection

Large archive import: Custom scripts handled a substantial collection of scanned documents and video material.
AI-assisted processing: OCR and transcription workflows helped turn archive material into searchable, structured content.

Read the case study

Backed.VC

Backed.VC Website

Empowering European Ventures with Dynamic Digital Presence

Airtable sync: Founder and venture data managed from one connected source.
Search visibility: Enhanced visibility for brand and related keywords.

Read the case study

Process

Requirements Mapping

We map the workflow, data rules, user roles, integrations, and edge cases before deciding whether a custom plugin is the right route.

Plugin Architecture

We define the plugin structure, admin experience, settings, validation rules, permissions, and compatibility requirements before implementation starts.

Build and Integration

The plugin is built around the agreed business logic, with API connections, automation hooks, error handling, and WordPress integration added where needed.

Testing and Rollout

We test the critical workflows, check compatibility with the current site, document the setup, and roll the plugin out with a clear support route.

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Search common questions or choose one from the list to see the answer.

No matching questions found.

Do you build plugins from scratch or extend existing ones?

Both. Some projects need a new plugin because WordPress has to integrate with a client's own stack, such as an ATS system, , newsletter platform, internal , or several connected services.

Other projects are better handled by extending an existing plugin, changing configuration, or building a smaller replacement for one specific feature from a larger paid plugin.

Can a custom plugin replace a paid WordPress plugin?

Sometimes, yes. If you are paying every year for a large plugin but only use a small, stable part of it, a focused custom plugin can often replace that specific functionality.

This is most useful when the requirement is clear and unlikely to change constantly. The tradeoff is that you pay for development up front, then usually have lower ongoing cost if the plugin stays small and well maintained.

Will the plugin remain maintainable after WordPress updates?

Yes. Custom plugin work follows WordPress plugin best practices, including the guidance in the WordPress Developer Handbook.

That means building with update compatibility, clear structure, secure data handling, and maintainable WordPress APIs in mind, rather than relying on fragile theme-level snippets or one-off shortcuts.

Can custom plugins integrate with third-party tools and APIs?

Yes. API-based integrations and internal workflow automations are one of the most common reasons to build a custom plugin.

That can include CRMs, applicant tracking systems, newsletter tools, internal dashboards, reporting systems, webhooks, self-hosted automation workflows, or custom services that need to send data into WordPress or query WordPress for content and records.

Both. Some projects need a new plugin because WordPress has to integrate with a client's own stack, such as an ATS system, , newsletter platform, internal , or several connected services.

Other projects are better handled by extending an existing plugin, changing configuration, or building a smaller replacement for one specific feature from a larger paid plugin.

Sometimes, yes. If you are paying every year for a large plugin but only use a small, stable part of it, a focused custom plugin can often replace that specific functionality.

Yes. Custom plugin work follows WordPress plugin best practices, including the guidance in the WordPress Developer Handbook.

Yes. API-based integrations and internal workflow automations are one of the most common reasons to build a custom plugin.

No matching questions found.

Do you build plugins from scratch or extend existing ones?

Both. Some projects need a new plugin because WordPress has to integrate with a client's own stack, such as an ATS system, , newsletter platform, internal , or several connected services.

Other projects are better handled by extending an existing plugin, changing configuration, or building a smaller replacement for one specific feature from a larger paid plugin.

Can a custom plugin replace a paid WordPress plugin?

Sometimes, yes. If you are paying every year for a large plugin but only use a small, stable part of it, a focused custom plugin can often replace that specific functionality.

Will the plugin remain maintainable after WordPress updates?

Yes. Custom plugin work follows WordPress plugin best practices, including the guidance in the WordPress Developer Handbook.

Can custom plugins integrate with third-party tools and APIs?

Yes. API-based integrations and internal workflow automations are one of the most common reasons to build a custom plugin.

Process Outline

1Requirements Mapping
2Plugin Architecture
3Build and Integration
4Testing and Rollout

Core Technologies

WordPressWooCommercePHPJavaScriptMySQL

Common Integrations

HubSpotn8nSalesforceGoogle AnalyticsStripe

Key Info

Code Ownership: You own the codebase, content, and deployment access after delivery.
QA Coverage: Cross-browser, responsive, and user-journey testing before launch.
Handover: Structured handover notes and post-launch support options.