Kennith is available for hire
Hire KennithKennith Nichol
Verified Expert in Engineering
WordPress Developer
Royston, BC, Canada
Toptal member since June 27, 2019
Bio
Ken is a diligent developer who undertakes complex projects with a range of technology stacks. He has 20 years of experience in front-end and back-end development using various methodologies. Ken has a solid knowledge base in PHP and WordPress, building custom themes and plugins, and troubleshooting and training. He specializes in WordPress and custom development for both the front end and back-end of applications.
Portfolio
Altus Solutions, Inc.
WordPress, WP Engine, ActiveCampaign, Microsoft Teams, Google Analytics...
Dream Catcher Connect
WordPress, WordPress Plugins, PHP, MySQL, WordPress Themes, WooCommerce, HTML...
Nichol Consulting
WordPress API, CSS, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, JavaScript, HTML5...
Experience
- SQL - 14 years
- WordPress Plugins - 13 years
- PHP - 13 years
- WordPress - 13 years
- Linux - 12 years
- JavaScript - 11 years
- Revamps - 8 years
- React - 4 years
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
Terminal, Vim Text Editor, Linux, PHP, Trello, Jira, React, SQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
The most amazing...
...project I've built was a large non-multisite network of related WordPress sites with a common plugin and theme environment.
Work Experience
Front End Developer
2024 - PRESENT
Altus Solutions, Inc.
- Contributed to ongoing system maintenance and security risk mitigation, working with the CTO on a weekly basis to maintain and improve systems.
- Rebranded the website across all company sites, including performance improvements through theme simplification and plugin reduction where possible.
- Aided staff members with content creation and new marketing campaign materials, consulting with staff and 3rd parties to provide insights into feasible solutions for business initiatives and applications.
Technologies: WordPress, WP Engine, ActiveCampaign, Microsoft Teams, Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, Zapier, Zoho, Web Security
Front End Specialist
2024 - PRESENT
Dream Catcher Connect
- Participated in the migration of a legacy Drupal website to WordPress and created WordPress plugins to implement business logic and systems functionality on par with the previous system.
- Completed unfinished tools and migrations started by the previous developer, focusing on debugging and triage to ensure critical systems and reporting were functioning as expected.
- Managed expectations to calm tensions during the transition period between systems, providing regular communication and clarifying problems and required solutions with stakeholders.
Technologies: WordPress, WordPress Plugins, PHP, MySQL, WordPress Themes, WooCommerce, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Funnel Analysis, Debugging, Drupal
Full-stack Developer | WordPress Consultant
2004 - PRESENT
Nichol Consulting
- Built, troubleshot, and maintained software and websites.
- Provided web development, web hosting, and consulting for the development of web services and applications.
- Maintained and hosted WordPress websites for local nonprofits and small businesses.
Technologies: WordPress API, CSS, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, JavaScript, HTML5, WordPress, PHP, PSD to WordPress, SQL, PostgreSQL 10, Vim Text Editor, Adobe Photoshop, PSD to HTML, Linux, MySQL, Web Development, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, NGINX, Tailwind CSS, Laravel, Bootstrap, Eloquent
WordPress Developer
2024 - 2024
WindoTrader, INC.
- Crafted a plan to reorganize website information, streamlining the user experience to make the purchasing decision process simpler and more intuitive.
- Updated the infrastructure, themes, and plugins to ensure the WordPress sites were aligned with the latest security patches.
- Restored integration between the front-end websites and the service desk applications.
Technologies: WordPress, PHP, WordPress Themes, WordPress Design, UX Design
WordPress Developer
2023 - 2024
FlowPress
- Started work on a custom reporting tool that would extract data from APIs and inject them into reports. The goal was to distribute KPIs and usable statistics into automated reports for clients to reduce the burden of reporting on staff.
- Performed regular maintenance of client websites (updates, security fixes, and content changes).
- Developed a client reskin/redesign from a provided design into a beaver builder block-based theme (customized blocks).
Technologies: WordPress, WP Engine, Git, GitHub, CircleCI, Amazon Web Services (AWS), PHP, MySQL, SQL, Beaver Builder, Gulp
WooCommerce Developer
2023 - 2024
Training Solutions International
- Developed a customization to enable multi-day events to recur through FooEvents, modifying the plugin and creating a secondary script to adjust the plugin files after updates by adding a filter call to the JSON output.
- Repaired the theme so that it worked properly with Elementor templates and WooCommerce.
- Tested several event plugins to establish the functionality required by the project, choosing the plugin with the closest functionality and adding some customizations on top.
Technologies: WordPress, WooCommerce, Elementor, Zoom, Learning Management Systems (LMS), WordPress Plugins
PHP & React Developer
2021 - 2023
Improve the News Foundation
- Developed a React-based, user-friendly GUI to allow data analysts to sort data clusters more rapidly. This required the re-development of the back-end API as well.
- Implemented a new feature to allow data curators to add and remove information regarding public figures. This was a full-stack application with a React and Next.js front end and a PHP and MySQL back end.
- Worked with the lead engineer to resolve bugs in the APIs from a steady list of Jira tickets.
Technologies: PHP, React, JavaScript, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Next.js, PM2, TypeScript, SQL, Vim Text Editor, Redux, Linux, MySQL, Material UI, Figma, Web Development, Full-stack, User Experience (UX), Full-stack Development, NGINX, Tailwind CSS, React Query
WordPress Developer
2020 - 2022
Three Five Two
- Improved the performance of an older WordPress site that was heavily customized to migrate from s2Member to MemberPress. The site required an extensive review of the custom functionality to determine what could be safely removed.
- Maintained and updated a three-part product with a WordPress marketing site, a React client app, and a Heroku-hosted Node.js API. Issues are handled via Jira and weekly spring planning.
- Participated in the restructuring and redesigning of the application with a new design provided via Adobe XD.
Technologies: WordPress, Node.js, React, React Redux, Git, GitHub, Recurly, PubNub, MemberPress, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Heroku, HTML5, JavaScript, PHP, Redux, Agile, WordPress Plugins, User Experience (UX), Full-stack Development, MongoDB
WordPress Developer
2020 - 2022
Altus Solutions, Inc.
- Aided in the set up and improved performance of a multisite WordPress network, which consisted of interconnecting standalone marketing WordPress sites with the network.
- Implemented automated tagging, automation, and integration between LearnDash and ActiveCampaign. Worked with the marketing team to devise a practical approach to labeling, lists, and segmentation.
- Investigated and resolved tickets, bugs, and other issues as they appeared. Aided in the Zoho Desk set up to help manage support tickets.
Technologies: ActiveCampaign, WordPress, Website Setup, Web Analytics, PHP, LearnDash, MemberPress, Learning Management Systems (LMS), CSS3, SQL, MySQL, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), WordPress Plugins, WP Engine, Elementor, Google Analytics 4, Google Analytics, Microsoft Clarity, WordPress Multisite
WordPress Developer
2020 - 2021
YouTurn, Inc
- Developed an out of the box WordPress system with LearnDash. This project required as little custom code as possible, which has been challenging to reconcile with its unique requirements.
- Debugged unique edge cases with LearnDash, Uncanny Owl, and Uncanny groups, including login and register redirection via a referrer.
- Implemented multi-site usage via a broadcast plugin, which is used to clone the central learning platform and customize it for access and branding purposes.
Technologies: WordPress, LearnDash, MemberPress, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Broadcasting, HTML5, PHP, SQL, MySQL, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), WordPress Plugins, WP Engine, WordPress Multisite, User Experience (UX)
WordPress Developer
2019 - 2020
iSpot Interactive
- Developed custom WordPress plugins and themes for an enterprise multisite WordPress installation.
- Implemented WordPress REST API customizations and Ajax-powered front-end development with a modular theme and plugin integrations.
- Worked as part of a variable-sized enterprise team that is part of a larger enterprise structure. Several development teams were working on the production product in different geographic areas.
Technologies: WordPress API, CSS, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, HTML5, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, MySQL, WordPress Multisite, Web Development, User Experience (UX), Full-stack Development
Website Administrator
2014 - 2019
Vista Radio, Ltd.
- Created and deployed more than 36 community websites as a source of local news, events, and contests.
- Developed custom themes and plugins with core customizations to facilitate various radio station promotions and functionality.
- Provided internal technical support and troubleshooting.
Technologies: CSS, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, JavaScript, CSS3, WordPress, PHP, SQL, Bitbucket, Adobe Photoshop, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), MySQL, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), WordPress Multisite, User Experience (UX), Full-stack Development
Front-end Developer
2016 - 2017
Noble, Inc.
- Built the initial landing page and lead capture forms with an API integration to Twilio and Mailchimp.
- Created a custom WordPress theme based on the designer's files in InVision.
- Worked with a prior version of this project that involved similar technologies but focused on skipping the line at bars and pubs.
Technologies: CSS, Mailchimp, Twilio, JavaScript, jQuery, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, PSD to WordPress, Adobe Photoshop, PSD to HTML
Campaign Manager
2010 - 2012
Love Clients, Inc.
- Executed and managed numerous SEO and PPC campaigns for clients around the world.
- Built internal project management tools to replace paid platforms like Basecamp to reduce costs.
- Implemented various server-side and on-page optimizations on a variety of client websites.
Technologies: PHP, CSS, Joomla, HTML, Google Ads, jQuery, CSS3, HTML5, WordPress, PSD to WordPress, Adobe Photoshop, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), PSD to HTML, WordPress Plugins, SEO Tools
Advanced Link Builder
2007 - 2008
Beanstalk SEO
- Researched a variety of advanced link-building techniques.
- Automated link scraping and page rank analysis for reporting and research.
- Built manual links for many clients via forums, blogs, and other means.
Technologies: WordPress, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), HTML5, Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Experience
Improve the News
https://www.improvethenews.org/A news portal powered by machine learning which allows you to see news from different perspectives. This system is a React application on top of Next.js powered by a custom PHP, MySQL, and Python back-end.
Learn with Justice U
https://www.learnwithjusticeu.com/A WordPress multi-site-based learning system used to bring awareness to the impacts of modern human trafficking. I was the WordPress specialist and worked with the marketing team, executive team, and project planner to optimize and improve the integration of LearnDash, MemberPress, Active Campaign, Google Analytics, and Microsoft Clarity.
Planning Poker
http://www.planningpoker.comA React-based app with a Node.js API. This app is used as a Scrum planning software. I am a full-stack developer for this project and have been heavily involved in the product redesign. I liaise with the project manager and DevOps manager to fix bugs and implement new features.
Get Noble Landing Page and Lead Collection
I built the first version of the Get Noble website. This WordPress-powered site required a customized theme, a featured newsletter for lead capturing, and an integration with Twilio to allow for SMS notifications.
JDM-Roofing
https://www.jdm-roofing.ca/A small business roofing company website powered by WordPress. Includes a gallery of services with an emphasis on search marketing for organic client acquisition. This project also included Google Maps listing management and some social media assistance.
Apartment Listing Application
This full-stack application uses a Laravel back end. The Laravel application uses Sanctum and API endpoints to provide a RESTful API for the front end. Addresses added via the API are processed with Google Cloud's Geocoding API to generate latitude and longitude.
The front-end application is a React application that uses React Router to facilitate navigation. A map is presented with pins for listings using Mapbox's free API.
User authentication is done via tokens and local storage, which Laravel Sanctum processes. Users can register as normal or realtor users. Realtors can add/edit their own listings.
The front-end application is a React application that uses React Router to facilitate navigation. A map is presented with pins for listings using Mapbox's free API.
User authentication is done via tokens and local storage, which Laravel Sanctum processes. Users can register as normal or realtor users. Realtors can add/edit their own listings.
Certifications
MARCH 2019 - PRESENT
Master the Coding Interview: Data Structures + Algorithms
Udemy
OCTOBER 2018 - PRESENT
The Complete Web Developer
Udemy
OCTOBER 2018 - PRESENT
The Complete Junior to Senior Web Developer
Udemy
MARCH 2017 - PRESENT
JavaScript: Understanding the Weird Parts
Udemy
Skills
Libraries/APIs
WordPress API, jQuery, React, Node.js, REST APIs, React Redux, React Query, PubNub, React Redux Form, Twilio API, Google Maps API, React Router, Mapbox GL, Google Geocoding API
Tools
Terminal, Git, GitHub, NPM, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Adobe Photoshop, Bitbucket, LearnDash, Google Analytics, Vim Text Editor, Trello, Jira, AWS CLI, NGINX, Mailchimp, Recurly, Webpack, PM2, Figma, Zoom, CircleCI, Gulp, Microsoft Teams, Zapier
Languages
CSS, HTML, PHP, JavaScript, SQL, CSS3, HTML5, TypeScript
Frameworks
Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap, Redux, Next.js, Material UI, Laravel, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), Express.js, Eloquent, MUI CSS
Platforms
Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Linux, WordPress, LAMP, Heroku, Docker, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon EC2, Twilio, Google Ads, Joomla, AWS Lambda, WooCommerce, Drupal
Storage
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), MongoDB, Redis, PostgreSQL 10, WP Engine
Paradigms
Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Agile, Testing, UX Design
Other
WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, PSD to WordPress, PSD to HTML, Website Setup, SSH, Website Performance, APIs, Revamps, WordPress Multisite, Web Development, Full-stack, Full-stack Development, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), MemberPress, Data Structures, Algorithms, Elementor, SEO Tools, User Experience (UX), Axios, ActiveCampaign, Web Analytics, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Web Security, CI/CD Pipelines, Broadcasting, Microsoft Clarity, Google Analytics 4, Beaver Builder, WordPress Design, Funnel Analysis, Debugging, Zoho
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