SEO and WordPress Development
Below is my work that I have been most proud of in my self-teaching; they have been valuable.
www.allthingsbirding.com
As all things birding was my first proper flight into the world of blogging, and was first used as an attempt at an Affiliate Marketing blog, I found myself digressing into the world of figure chasing SEO Analytics and Obsessively wanting to gain rank in an unlikely niche.
I had a point to prove for this little blog that, in just under 3 months, ranked 34th in its category. Attempt 2 at making a website that looked good and people were reading it.
The lessons we hold in our times. As I was fresh out of the box and had yet to understand that what I had just created was a domain that went from just a few rands to what it sold for to who it is owned by now, the reason for the use of our dear friend here, The Way Back Machine.
I have to get my emotions out first to this dear, frustrating friend of mine, as I overcame with much love many first issues with All Things Birding. Banner frustrations, oh dear, as a beginner, those banner frustrations can get intense when you just want a Hero Banner Slider that automatically slides.
As The Way Back Machine is never a true representation of what was, I shall now get technical! Bear in mind that my early works were targeted towards the need for SEO and Topic Authority. The design and e-commerce-driven work was to come in my next phase of the joyful art of being a beginner.
- Adobe Photoshop was used to create the Logo and Website ID Icon. If we are to start just anywhere.
- Koala.sh was used for content structure and bulk load copy. Much was done in editing, and prompts were very specific in nature.
- WordPress Block Editor was used, and Elementor was tried alongside some of the Twenty Twenty variety themes out there, as my records show me, as this worked best with the custom code needed to make the banner work eventually, and some other very lovely features!
- Custom Code involves HTML and CSS at the time for some custom edits on elements for design work that the editors and themes could not produce, and thus needed a boost, such as the hero banner slider that needed to slide within a time frame that was desirable and also smoothly with the images being the right size in the code for sure. Alongside a needed mention of a persistent issue in the blog section of the home page, which needed an eventual end with some custom code.
- Photo Acquisition was done with Pexels.com for some of the banner images, and, when needed, for specific blog posts. ChatGPT at the time was still in its infancy, with image generation for the free version. As I had yet to acquire the Plus package, I relied on Koala.sh to provide images when it could.
- A few Plugins to mention that had heavy involvement were ACF (Advanced Custom Fields), LightSpeed Cache, JetPack, Monster Insights, Google Site Kit, and All-In-One-SEO.
- The font family used primarily throughout the website was extracted using the inspect page function| body, button, input{ font-family: apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Helvetica Neue, sans-serif;
- The text colour | body, h1, h2, h3| hex #334155
- ChatGPT, Udemy and YouTube were used for all educational needs and guides for how to use all the necessary tools, with prior knowledge from some Affiliate Marketing coursework I had watched and prior attempts.
SEO Strategy Insights
Content Optimization Guide
Explore effective SEO strategies that enhance online visibility. This project showcases my expertise in optimizing content for search engines, ensuring higher rankings and increased traffic for various clients.
Case Study Analysis
Dive into detailed case studies that illustrate successful SEO implementations. Each study highlights challenges faced, strategies employed, and measurable results achieved, demonstrating my proficiency in the field.
SEO Techniques Explained
This section provides comprehensive explanations of various SEO techniques. Learn about on-page and off-page strategies, keyword research, and analytics to improve your website’s performance and reach.
Case Study Analysis
Discover the consulting services I offer to help businesses enhance their online presence. From personalized SEO audits to tailored strategies, I am dedicated to driving your success in the digital landscape.
Technical Skills
Programming & Development
- Languages: HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript (ES6+), PHP (WordPress-based), Python (fundamentals & scripting)
- Front-End Frameworks: Familiar with Bootstrap and responsive design methodologies
- WordPress Expertise:
- Custom block theme editing and template structuring
- Custom Post Type (CPT) and taxonomy configuration
- Plugin integration and lightweight optimization
- WooCommerce configuration and storefront logic
- Pattern creation and reusable layout design
Web & Digital Tools
- CMS & Platforms: WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify (conceptual familiarity)
- Design Tools: Figma, Canva, Adobe XD (basic UI/UX alignment)
- SEO Tools: Google Search Console, Yoast SEO, Ahrefs, SEMrush, PageSpeed Insights
- Productivity & Workflow Tools: Asana, Notion, Slack, Trello, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite
- Version Control & Hosting: GitHub (basic), cPanel, FTP, local dev environments
Databases
- Basic understanding of MySQL and database-driven WordPress structures
- Ability to query, back up, and migrate databases safely
Development Methodologies
- Agile-inspired, self-directed task management
- Iterative deployment cycles and version control discipline
- Documentation-first mindset for repeatable workflows
Professional Skills
Industry & Domain Expertise
- Web Development & Content Infrastructure: End-to-end site builds with focus on SEO, UX, and business logic
- SEO Strategy: Keyword mapping, metadata structure, internal linking, and content hierarchy
- Brand Messaging & Copywriting: Skilled in writing web copy, product descriptions, and blog content tailored to audience intent
- Digital Marketing Integration: Understanding of content funnels, conversion strategy, and analytics interpretation
Project & Workflow Management
- Structured Task Execution: Uses time logging, sprint-based progress tracking, and project templates
- Stakeholder Communication: Translates technical details into clear, outcome-focused explanations
- Documentation Discipline: Maintains clear documentation across codebases, SEO reports, and content strategy outlines
Leadership & Collaboration
- Self-reliant while maintaining excellent collaboration habits
- Supports small-team coordination, timeline forecasting, and client communication
- Prioritizes clarity, transparency, and quality in cross-functional delivery
Soft Skills
Communication
- Articulate written and verbal communicator with professional tone control
- Skilled in adjusting writing style across corporate, creative, and editorial contexts
Problem-Solving & Adaptation
- Analytical thinker — approaches challenges systematically and efficiently
- Creative in technical troubleshooting and content optimization
- Thrives in ambiguity; capable of self-learning new tools rapidly
Learning & Growth Mindset
- Strong curiosity for automation, AI tools, and performance-driven design
- Currently Learning Ai tools and workflows mainly in VS Code
- MCP is an interesting field and has been learnt
Other Relevant Skills
Languages
- English — Native proficiency
Creative Skills
- Content writing and tone strategy for brand identity
- Visual storytelling (image composition, basic motion concepts in Blender)
- Conceptual design alignment for brand narratives
Professional Values & Work Ethic
- Precision-Oriented: Obsessed with clarity, structure, and alignment
- Client-Centric: Always builds from the user’s journey and business objective outward
- Integrity-Driven: Keeps commitments, communicates openly, and respects project boundaries
- Growth-Focused: Combines technical curiosity with creative exploration to remain future-proof