Publication
The Ultimate Guide to Building a WordPress Plugin
https://www.toptal.com/developers/wordpress/ultimate-guide-building-wordpress-plugin
Ratko is currently unavailable
Ratko Solaja
Verified Expert in Engineering
WordPress Developer
Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia
Toptal member since September 7, 2016
Bio
With over 10 years of WordPress expertise, Ratko specializes in crafting bespoke websites that are tailored to each client’s unique needs. His experience spans custom plugin and theme development (classic, hybrid, and block-based), API integrations, and eCommerce solutions. From creating custom APIs to managing complex migrations, Ratko’s focus is on delivering high-quality, fully customized solutions that engage and inspire, going beyond generic approaches to meet specific business goals.
Portfolio
Simplicity, LLC
WordPress, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Sage...
Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall, LLC
WordPress, WordPress SEO, PHP, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, HTML, CSS...
PEMS LLC
WordPress, PHP, Elementor, PCI DSS, Financial Services, UI Design...
Experience
- WordPress Plugins - 10 years
- WordPress - 10 years
- PHP - 10 years
- HTML5 - 9 years
- WooCommerce - 9 years
- Object-oriented Programming (OOP) - 7 years
- WordPress Theme Design - 7 years
- Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) - 4 years
Preferred Environment
WordPress, MacOS, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, WP-CLI
The most amazing...
...project I’ve worked on was a fully bespoke help center for a clinical research company featuring BigQuery integration, a custom forum, a marketplace, and LMS.
Work Experience
Senior WordPress Developer
2016 - PRESENT
Simplicity, LLC
- Developed websites for the country's largest media and news organizations, including prominent names like Dnevni List Danas, Radar, CityMagazine, and Nasa Mreza.
- Engineered a versatile booking plugin featuring a dynamic calendar that handles single or multiple-day bookings, even when split across weeks or months.
- Built WooCommerce stores with advanced features, such as custom payment methods, memberships, and subscription services, tailored to meet unique client needs.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Sage, WooCommerce, UI Design, CSS, HTML, WordPress Themes, WordPress Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Responsive Design, Gutenberg Editor, SQL, Web Design, Web Development, WordPress SEO, WordPress Security, SEO Tools, API Integration, APIs, WordPress Customization, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), OneTrust, Third-party Integration, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Figma, Figma to WordPress, Communication, Payment APIs, UX Design, Websites, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mailchimp, MySQL, Stripe, Mobile UI, Servers, PHP 8, Yoast SEO, Payment Gateways, Full-stack Development, Marketplaces, Subscriptions, eCommerce, MemberPress, WordPress API, Google API, Google SEO, Plugin Customization, Web Dashboards, ACF PRO, Figma to HTML, Responsive Web Apps, Divi, Web, ActiveCampaign, Email Marketing, Facebook Pixel, Funnel Marketing, Marketing, PayPal, Sales Funnel, WPML, HTTP, Insurance Technology (Insurtech), Front-end, LAMP, Google Analytics, Squarespace, HubSpot, OpenAI API, Themes, UI Animation, WP Engine, WordPress Page Builder, WP Rocket, Financial Services, PCI DSS, Manual Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Full-stack, Core Web Vitals, Optimization, Performance, Technical SEO, Widgets, AI Integration, DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Dom Manipulation, Responsive UI, Vanilla JS, React
Senior WordPress Developer
2025 - 2025
Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall, LLC
- Increased the loading speed of the website (PageSpeed Insights and Core Web Vitals).
- Removed outdated dependencies from the theme and replaced them with newer ones.
- Contributed to the launch process for the changes made.
Technologies: WordPress, WordPress SEO, PHP, WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, HTML, CSS, Core Web Vitals, Optimization, Performance, Technical SEO, Widgets, Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Dom Manipulation, Responsive UI, Vanilla JS
WordPress Technical Lead
2025 - 2025
PEMS LLC
- Created a number of different custom pages, designs, and code.
- Troubleshot and resolved critical bugs on the front-end.
- Built a custom WordPress theme for one of the sites.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, Elementor, PCI DSS, Financial Services, UI Design, API Integration, HTML5, JavaScript, MySQL, Optimization, Performance, Technical SEO, Widgets, Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Dom Manipulation, Responsive UI, Vanilla JS
Senior WordPress Developer
2021 - 2024
CRIO, Inc
- Developed a fully tailored marketplace for purchasing study designs, including features like product tracking and a CSV import script that seamlessly adds, updates, or removes products.
- Designed a comprehensive partner directory from scratch, enabling partners to showcase their profiles and services and connect directly with clients through the help center.
- Crafted a new marketing website from the ground up, utilizing Bedrock and Sage 10 for a modern, efficient, and scalable solution.
- Implemented robust user authentication flows—including login, registration, and password recovery—while managing site options across various user roles.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, JavaScript, LearnDash, Sage 10, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, UI Design, CSS, HTML, WordPress Themes, WordPress Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Responsive Design, Gutenberg Editor, SQL, Web Design, Web Development, WordPress SEO, WordPress Security, SEO Tools, API Integration, APIs, WordPress Customization, Third-party Integration, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Figma, Figma to WordPress, Communication, UX Design, Websites, Mailchimp, MySQL, Mobile UI, Servers, PHP 8, Yoast SEO, Full-stack Development, Marketplaces, eCommerce, WordPress API, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Google API, Google SEO, Plugin Customization, Web Dashboards, ACF PRO, Figma to HTML, Responsive Web Apps, Web, Email Marketing, HTTP, Front-end, LAMP, Google Analytics, Themes, UI Animation, WordPress Page Builder, WP Rocket, WordPress LMS, Manual Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Full-stack, Core Web Vitals, Optimization, Performance, Technical SEO, Widgets, Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Dom Manipulation, Responsive UI, Vanilla JS
Senior WordPress Developer
2022 - 2023
Speck
- Spearheaded the development of an LMS tailored for medical professionals, enhancing their training, education, and certification.
- Innovated a chat system that connects WordPress users in real-time during webinars, boosting engagement and collaboration.
- Designed and launched a dynamic website using Elementor for a client, supporting the creators of Epic Sum Up for Jira.
- Provided expert guidance in setting up a robust server infrastructure for the project, ensuring seamless performance.
Technologies: WordPress, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Sage 9, Elementor Pro, Elementor, UI Design, JavaScript, PHP, CSS, HTML, WordPress Themes, WordPress Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Responsive Design, Gutenberg Editor, SQL, Web Design, Web Development, Gravity Forms, WordPress SEO, WordPress Security, SEO Tools, API Integration, APIs, WordPress Customization, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), Third-party Integration, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Figma, Figma to WordPress, Communication, UX Design, Websites, Mailchimp, MySQL, Mobile UI, Servers, PHP 8, Yoast SEO, Payment Gateways, Full-stack Development, Marketplaces, eCommerce, WordPress API, Confluence, Google API, Google SEO, Plugin Customization, Web Dashboards, ACF PRO, Figma to HTML, Responsive Web Apps, Web, Email Marketing, HTTP, Front-end, LAMP, Google Analytics, Themes, UI Animation, WordPress Page Builder, Manual Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Full-stack, Optimization, Performance, Technical SEO, Widgets, Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Dom Manipulation, Responsive UI, Vanilla JS
Junior/Medium WordPress Developer
2014 - 2016
MediaNovak
- Developed WordPress websites for clients globally, with a focus on photographers and videographers. Given the media-rich content, optimizing performance was a top priority, ensuring fast load times and a seamless user experience.
- Developed and sold custom WordPress themes and HTML templates on Envato’s ThemeForest marketplace, adhering to industry standards and best practices for design, functionality, and performance.
- Provided support for premium themes, assisting clients with functionality set up and troubleshooting. Ensured timely resolution of technical issues, delivering high-quality customer service to enhance user satisfaction.
Technologies: WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, HTML5, CSS, Bootstrap, jQuery, JavaScript, WordPress Multisite, cPanel, FTP/S, IT Support, MySQL, Mobile UI, User Experience (UX), Responsive Web Apps, Web, HTTP, LAMP, Themes, UI Animation, Manual Testing, Quality Assurance (QA), Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Dom Manipulation, Responsive UI, Vanilla JS
Experience
CRIO Marketing Website
https://clinicalresearch.io/I built a WordPress-based website from the ground up using Bedrock, Sage 10, and ACF, seamlessly integrating both back-end and front-end development. Every detail was crafted singlehandedly, ensuring a polished, high-performing site that delivers a top-notch user experience.
Marketing Website for Epic Sum Up Jira
https://epicsumup.com/I developed a marketing website for Epic Sum Up on WordPress, utilizing Elementor as per the client’s request. Collaborating closely with the designer, I ensured the design was fully realized with pixel-perfect execution. A key aspect of the project involved building a dynamic pricing calculator that mirrored the functionality of the Jira marketplace. The calculator accounted for variables such as type (cloud or data center), billing period (monthly or yearly), and team size, delivering a seamless user experience tailored to customer needs.
WordPress Website for Swimming Courses
https://lespetitsbaigneurs.com/A WordPress-based custom theme development for a French client to redesign their website that displays courses and pools, and integrates with Mindbody for bookings. The front end is powered by Tailwind CSS v4 and Alpine.js v3.
Website for A1 Group
https://nasamreza.rs/I created a WordPress website using TailwindCSS and Alpine.js, featuring fluid typography and responsive spacing for a visually stunning and user-friendly experience. I also implemented a dynamic subscription system, allowing users to easily subscribe to personalized newsletter lists based on their preferred categories or favorite authors, ensuring they always receive content that matters most to them.
Education
2012 - 2016
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Univerzitet PIM - Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Skills
Libraries/APIs
REST APIs, Animate.css, jQuery UI, jQuery, Sage, WordPress API, BuddyPress, Stripe, Google API, OpenAI API, React
Tools
Terminal, Sublime Text 3, Git, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Oh My Zsh, LearnDash, WP-CLI, Gutenberg Editor, Figma, Mailchimp, ACF PRO, Figma to HTML, WPML, GitHub, Google Analytics, NGINX, Litmus, Confluence, Facebook Pixel
Languages
SCSS, PHP, JavaScript, CSS3, HTML5, CSS, HTML, PHP 8, SQL
Frameworks
ZURB Foundation, Redux, Bootstrap 3+, Tailwind CSS, Alpine.js, Divi, Vanilla JS, Bootstrap
Paradigms
Functional Programming, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Object-oriented Programming (OOP), UI Design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), UX Design, Manual Testing
Platforms
MacOS, WordPress, WordPress Theme Design, WooCommerce, Web, LAMP, Amazon Web Services (AWS), HubSpot, Shopify, cPanel
Industry Expertise
Web Design, Marketing
Storage
WP Engine, MySQL, MySQL/MariaDB, JSON, Redis Cache
Other
Command-line Interface (CLI), WordPress Multisite, Ajax, WordPress Plugins, CSS3 Animation, Machine Learning, WordPress Themes, Computer Science, Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, Sage 9, Elementor Pro, Elementor, Sage 10, WordPress Design, User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Responsive Design, Web Development, WordPress SEO, WordPress Security, SEO Tools, API Integration, APIs, WordPress Customization, Third-party Integration, Figma to WordPress, Communication, Payment APIs, Websites, Mobile UI, Yoast SEO, Payment Gateways, Full-stack Development, Marketplaces, Subscriptions, eCommerce, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Plugin Customization, Web Dashboards, Responsive Web Apps, HTTP, Front-end, Themes, UI Animation, WordPress Page Builder, WP Rocket, WordPress LMS, Full-stack, Optimization, Performance, Widgets, Cross-browser Compatibility, Custom WordPress, Responsive UI, Email, Foundation Inky, Gravity Forms, Servers, Google SEO, Email Marketing, PayPal, Insurance Technology (Insurtech), Quality Assurance (QA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), Core Web Vitals, Technical SEO, AI Integration, Dom Manipulation, DNS, Ubuntu Server, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), OneTrust, FTP/S, IT Support, MemberPress, ActiveCampaign, Funnel Marketing, Sales Funnel, Squarespace, Financial Services, PCI DSS, DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM)
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