Ionuț is available for hire
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Verified Expert in Engineering
WordPress Developer
Iași, Iași County, Romania
Toptal member since June 17, 2021
Bio
Ionuț is a WordPress and PHP developer with 16 years of experience, specializing in inherited and long-running codebases. He audits legacy WordPress installations, isolates technical debt, fixes what is broken, and takes over maintenance from departing developers and agencies. His work covers custom plugin development, API and payment integrations, hosting migrations, and performance optimization, and he uses AI-assisted tooling to move quickly through unfamiliar code.
Portfolio
CC-ONRC.ro
WordPress, WooCommerce, PHP, JavaScript, CSS, Playwright, Google Ads...
WebExpert
PHP, JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS, WordPress, WooCommerce, Google Ads...
AG5 B.V.
WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Design, MySQL...
Experience
- Full-stack - 16 years
- PHP - 16 years
- Web Development - 16 years
- WordPress - 16 years
- Page Speed Optimization - 13 years
- JavaScript - 12 years
- REST APIs - 12 years
- Google Ads - 2 years
Work Experience
Founder, Full-stack Developer & Performance Marketer
2026 - PRESENT
CC-ONRC.ro
- Built and operated a WooCommerce-based service platform in a highly competitive Romanian ad market, owning the entire funnel from ad copy to checkout.
- Manage Google Ads search campaigns end-to-end, including a shared portfolio, Target CPA strategy to regulate hourly auction visibility, and custom scripts for automated bid management.
- Ran continuous A/B experiments on landing page copy, layout, and ad placement, most recently split-testing absolute top-of-page against standard top-of-page positioning for conversion impact.
- Diagnosed landing page experience as the binding quality score constraint and rebuilt page content around search intent, transparency, and trust signals, using Auction Insights and competitor analysis to guide priorities.
- Engineered the site for top PageSpeed scores and Core Web Vitals compliance across desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Technologies: WordPress, WooCommerce, PHP, JavaScript, CSS, Playwright, Google Ads, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Stripe, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Copywriting, Landing Pages, A/B Testing, Page Speed Optimization, Cloudflare, Digital Marketing, Ad Campaigns
WordPress Expert | Full-stack Web Developer
2012 - PRESENT
WebExpert
- Handled client-facing tasks, from requirement gathering to delivery.
- Developed dozens of responsive websites, mainly based on WordPress and WooCommerce, from simple presentation websites to online stores and RSS news aggregators.
- Managed online marketing campaigns through Google and Facebook Ads.
Technologies: PHP, JavaScript, jQuery, HTML, CSS, WordPress, WooCommerce, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Full-stack, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, HTML to WordPress, Transactional Emails, HTML5, Web App Design, WordPress Design, Plugins, WooCommerce API, Optimization, Performance, User Experience (UX), Monetization, Responsive, Responsive UI, Responsive Development, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Model View Controller (MVC), Elementor, Shopify, Website Performance, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google Analytics, Google Optimize, A/B Testing, Performance Optimization, Affiliate Marketing, Marketing, User Interface (UI), Back-end, Gravity Forms, Zapier, Customer Portals, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Custom Themes, UI Design, SEO Tools, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), UX Design, Avada, Page Speed Optimization, CSS3, SCSS, GTmetrix, PageSpeed, Figma, Database Management, Integration, Landing Pages, Digital Marketing, Ad Campaigns, WP Engine
Senior WordPress Developer
2022 - 2025
AG5 B.V.
- Worked closely with the head of marketing to improve website performance, design, and features, and fix various issues.
- Created a global block system based on ACF for easier content management across the pages.
- Streamlined deployments to the server with a custom Git setup.
Technologies: WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Design, MySQL, HubSpot, API Integration, APIs, PHP, JavaScript, A/B Testing, Google Optimize, Google Tag Manager, WPML, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Transactional Emails, Hotjar, Figma, Marketing, User Interface (UI), Back-end, Gravity Forms, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Custom Themes, UI Design, SEO Tools, UX Design, Page Speed Optimization, CSS3, SCSS, GTmetrix, PageSpeed, Database Management, Integration, Landing Pages
WordPress Developer
2023 - 2024
TDQ Media LLC
- Transitioned from using the Elementor website builder to simplify the site's structure.
- Implemented best coding practices and optimized the website for improved performance and security.
- Implemented ads, conversion tracking, and on-site search engine optimization (SEO).
Technologies: WordPress, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, PHP, Security, CSS, JavaScript, HTML5, Figma, Database Management, Integration
Lead Developer
2017 - 2021
WPJobster
- Built and managed a small local team to develop, maintain, and provide support for the company's WordPress theme and plugins.
- Defined best practices, coding standards, and processes, and slowly handed over the main development pipeline to the new team.
- Provided technical expertise while planning for new features and extensions.
- Built the WordPress REST API for the iOS and Android apps and worked closely with the external collaborator who was in charge of developing the apps.
- Took over development for the iOS and Android apps, improved and customized them, compiled the builds, and submitted several dozen releases to the App Store.
- Integrated 3rd-party APIs, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Stripe, PayPal, Twilio, OpenExchangeRates, Google Places, TomTom, and more.
- Developed various in-house extensions and integrations for Easy Digital Downloads, HelpScout, and other software that we were using.
- Configured the company's servers, migrated services, and performed server maintenance.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Semantic UI, REST APIs, WordPress REST API, Ionic, iOS, Android, Git, GitHub, DigitalOcean, Google Places API, Facebook API, Stripe API, PayPal API, Twilio API, OpenExchangeRates API, TomTom, SQL, MySQL, HelpScout, APIs, Full-stack, Linux, NGINX, Docker, HTTP Server, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, Payment APIs, API Integration, Transactional Emails, HTML5, Web App Design, WordPress Design, Animation, Webhooks, WordPress API, Plugins, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Optimization, Performance, User Experience (UX), Responsive, Responsive UI, Responsive Development, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Model View Controller (MVC), Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Website Performance, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Performance Optimization, Stripe Subscriptions, Stripe Connect, User Interface (UI), Back-end, Customer Portals, Custom Themes, UI Design, UX Design, Page Speed Optimization, CSS3, GTmetrix, PageSpeed, Database Management, Integration, WP Engine
Full-stack WordPress Developer
2015 - 2016
WPJobster
- Transitioned a custom built WordPress marketplace theme to an installable and customizable one.
- Fixed critical security issues of the theme and included Git to the development workflow.
- Handled update releases for the theme and various plugins, taking into account backwards compatibility with the previous versions.
- Handled interviewing and onboarding temporary remote developers to speed up development for specific new features.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Full-stack, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, Payment APIs, HTML to WordPress, API Integration, Basecamp, HTML5, Web App Design, WordPress Design, Animation, Webhooks, Plugins, Optimization, Performance, User Experience (UX), Responsive, Responsive UI, Responsive Development, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Model View Controller (MVC), Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Website Performance, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Performance Optimization, Stripe, User Interface (UI), Back-end, Customer Portals, Custom Themes, UI Design, UX Design, Page Speed Optimization, CSS3, GTmetrix, PageSpeed, Database Management
Full-stack WordPress Developer
2014 - 2015
VeryCreative
- Developed several custom WordPress websites, handling the whole process after design handover.
- Handled client communication for most of the assigned projects.
- Oversaw deployment, maintenance, bug-fixing, and new feature requests for all assigned projects.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, jQuery, HTML, CSS, PSD to WordPress, HTML to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, WooCommerce, HTML5, Web App Design, WordPress Design, Plugins, Optimization, Performance, User Experience (UX), Pixel Perfect, Responsive, Responsive UI, Responsive Development, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Performance Optimization, User Interface (UI), Bootstrap, Custom Themes, UI Design, Website Performance, Page Speed Optimization, CSS3, Database Management, WP Engine
Web Developer
2010 - 2014
Self-employed
- Developed various entertainment websites reaching a peak of around 500,000 monthly visits combined.
- Conducted the on-site and off-site search engine optimization campaigns.
- Monitored the performance and optimized the AdSense ad placements.
- Built my own ad network based on OpenX, delivering over 6,000,000 monthly ad impressions.
Technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google AdSense, Adobe Photoshop, WordPress, WordPress Themes, HTML to WordPress, HTML5, Web App Design, WordPress Design, Optimization, Performance, User Experience (UX), Monetization, Responsive, Responsive UI, Responsive Development, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Website Performance, Google Analytics, Performance Optimization, Affiliate Marketing, User Interface (UI), Back-end, UI Design, SEO Tools, UX Design, CSS3, Database Management, WP Engine
Experience
CC-ONRC.ro - Document Retrieval Service
http://cc-onrc.roA service platform I founded, built, and marketed myself. Every page is a landing page: paid search traffic arrives with sharp commercial intent, and the page has to answer the query, establish trust in a category where users are wary, and convert—on mobile, in under a second. I handled WordPress and WooCommerce development, Romanian direct-response copy, Google Ads campaigns and bidding strategy, and analytics and conversion tracking for all of it. Because I'm spending my own budget, every layout, headline, and form change is validated against CPA rather than opinion.
AG5 Skills Management Software
https://www.ag5.com/AG5 is a SaaS that allows you to visualize and track your workforce skills in a centralized skills hub that integrates with your HR and learning systems. I was the WordPress developer for the presentation website and liaised with the head of marketing to improve the website's performance, design, and features, as well as fix various issues.
Artist Website for DJ John Junior
https://johnjunior.ro/A modern, artist-focused website built for DJ and producer John Junior, featuring music releases, press kits, news updates, and event highlights. It's designed for clarity, fast navigation, and a visually engaging artist brand experience.
Service Marketplace Solution for WordPress
WPJobster is a very popular solution for people who want to run an online service marketplace based on WordPress. It bundles a theme, dozens of payment gateways and extensions, and iOS and Android apps, which are managed directly from the WordPress administration area. I was involved in almost every technical aspect of the project as the lead developer for the past few years.
Some of my responsibilities included the following:
• Built and managed the development team.
• Provided technical expertise for new features and extensions.
• Released monthly updates for the theme and plugins.
• Integrated dozens of external REST APIs.
• Built the REST API for the iOS and Android apps.
• Developed in-house extensions and integrations.
• Configured and performed maintenance on the company's servers.
Some of my responsibilities included the following:
• Built and managed the development team.
• Provided technical expertise for new features and extensions.
• Released monthly updates for the theme and plugins.
• Integrated dozens of external REST APIs.
• Built the REST API for the iOS and Android apps.
• Developed in-house extensions and integrations.
• Configured and performed maintenance on the company's servers.
Online Store for Valerio
An online store for an established local fashion brand. I was responsible for everything, from proposing technology solutions to implementing them, as well as providing employee training on products and order management, and running the first Facebook Ads campaigns.
Dental Clinic Website for Dr. Emilia Mosnegutu
A clean, lightweight WordPress presentation website built with Brizy for a local dental clinic.
The client’s challenge was that outdated online directory listings were showing incorrect phone numbers and addresses, causing patients to contact the wrong location. Because many directories wouldn’t update or respond, I registered a new domain and created a fresh website designed to outrank the old listings. After launching the site, adding the clinic to Google Maps, and updating the directories we could access, the correct information quickly rose to the top of search results—effectively solving the issue.
The client’s challenge was that outdated online directory listings were showing incorrect phone numbers and addresses, causing patients to contact the wrong location. Because many directories wouldn’t update or respond, I registered a new domain and created a fresh website designed to outrank the old listings. After launching the site, adding the clinic to Google Maps, and updating the directories we could access, the correct information quickly rose to the top of search results—effectively solving the issue.
RSS News Feeds Aggregator
A news aggregator website, automatically collecting and reposting news from around 20 websites. As a WordPress developer, I was in charge of finding the right theme and plugins, configuring and customizing them to meet the client's needs, and training him to add new RSS sources and manage the imported content. Additionally, I launched the site to a freshly configured server, setting up automatic back-ups and handling occasional updates.
Education
2010 - 2012
Coursework Toward a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Alexandru Ioan Cuza University - Iași, Romania
2006 - 2010
Certification in Mathematics and Computer Science
Unirea National College - Focșani, Romania
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, WordPress REST API, WordPress API, Google AdSense, jQuery, Google Places API, Facebook API, Stripe API, PayPal API, Twilio API, Google Maps, WooCommerce API, Stripe, Stripe Connect, Playwright
Tools
Gutenberg Editor, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), PageSpeed, Git, GitHub, Figma, Adobe Photoshop, NGINX, Brizy, TomTom, Slack, Basecamp, Google Analytics, Google Optimize, HelpScout, WPML, Hotjar, Zapier, PhpStorm, Zed
Languages
PHP, HTML, CSS, HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, XML, SCSS, SQL
Paradigms
Responsive, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Responsive Development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Web App Design, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Model View Controller (MVC), UI Design, UX Design, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Pay-per-Click (PPC)
Platforms
WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, VWO, Google Ads, iOS, Android, DigitalOcean, Linux, Docker, MacOS, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Visual Studio Code (VS Code), HubSpot
Storage
WP Engine, Database Management, Databases, MySQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3)
Frameworks
Ionic, Bootstrap
Industry Expertise
Marketing
Other
Web Technologies, Web Development, PSD to WordPress, Responsive UI, HTML to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Design, Plugins, Performance, Elementor, Pixel Perfect, Monetization, Website Performance, Performance Optimization, Customer Portals, Custom Themes, Page Speed Optimization, GTmetrix, Semantic UI, Full-stack, Payment APIs, API Integration, Webhooks, Optimization, User Experience (UX), A/B Testing, Google Tag Manager, User Interface (UI), Back-end, SEO Tools, Integration, Landing Pages, Computer Science, Data Structures, Operating Systems, Networks, Algorithms, Programming Languages, Compilers, Facebook Ads, OpenExchangeRates API, HTTP Server, RSS Feeds, HTTP, Transactional Emails, Animation, APIs, Stripe Subscriptions, Affiliate Marketing, Gravity Forms, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Avada, Security, Copywriting, Cloudflare, Core Web Vitals, Digital Marketing, Ad Campaigns
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