
Tahir Shahzad
Verified Expert in Engineering
Full-stack Web Developer
Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan
Toptal member since September 4, 2020
Tahir successfully developed numerous solutions using diverse technologies, primarily focusing on PHP, Python, and frameworks such as WordPress, Laravel, CodeIgniter, and Django. He thrives on challenges and takes pride in his ability to navigate project timelines successfully.
Portfolio
Experience
- WordPress - 10 years
- REST APIs - 10 years
- WordPress Themes - 6 years
- WooCommerce - 6 years
- WordPress Plugins - 6 years
- Cross-functional Team Leadership - 6 years
- WordPress API - 5 years
Availability
Preferred Environment
Firefox, Chrome, Google Drive, Ubuntu, Windows
The most amazing...
...project I've implemented is a real-time facial recognition attendance system for 30,000 employees, integrating multiple cameras and centralized reporting.
Work Experience
Product Manager
Now Software
- Analyzed market trends and competitors, crafted an actionable roadmap, and led the cross-functional launch of the product in the USA, achieving a 10% increase in user base.
- Spearheaded initiatives to fix the technical debt, reducing error rates from 100% to 17% and optimizing query performance from 15 to 3 seconds.
- Led the redesign of key features, focusing on a clear vision and customer-centric approach, resulting in a 30% boost in conversion rates.
- Achieved a remarkable increase in employees and resource utilization, soaring from 25% to 75%.
WordPress Developer
Arkhama LLC
- Improved UI/UX leading to better website engagement and responsiveness.
- Added new templates allowing customer to update content of the website according to their need.
- Integrated Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to allow custom fields and necessary details with services.
Team Lead | Project Manager (Volunteer)
Mentors Without Borders
- Helped a nonprofit organization build a new feature in a record four months with a team of volunteers.
- Aligned work for team members through Git, along with code and bugs.
- Accomplished reports and charts for the visibility of admin and donating organization.
Developer
Kane Systems Inc.
- Integrated Memberful and FirstPromoter with WordPress-customized APIs.
- Developed a custom solution to track referrals, increasing management and visibility through WordPress.
- Implemented webhooks to integrate with payments, refunds, and cancellation of subscription plans.
WordPress Developer
Plant Prepped Inc.
- Developed and implemented a robust WordPress referral plugin for Plant Prepped, enabling customers to easily share their referral code with friends and family.
- Integrated the referral plugin successfully with the subscription signup process, accurately tracking referrals and attributing rewards to customers for each successful referral.
- Increased customer engagement and acquisition by incentivizing referrals, resulting in significant growth in the customer base and revenue for Plant Prepped.
- Designed and customized the referral plugin's user interface to seamlessly blend with the overall look and feel of the Plant Prepped website, providing a cohesive and intuitive user experience for customers.
- Implemented robust tracking and analytics features within the referral plugin, allowing Plant Prepped to gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of the referral program, identify top referrers, and optimize the program for maximum results.
WordPress and SEO Consultant
TheTayraPerezProject Events LLC
- Developed and deployed a website based on WordPress from scratch, according to pixel-perfect interfaces of the old static website.
- Set up WooCommerce and helped the client finalize a new hosting provider.
- Integrated the website with Google Analytics 4, Tag Manager, and Ads account.
- Made sure the website functions consistently and correctly across different web browsers.
- Optimized the website's performance by minimizing load times and optimizing resource usage.
Technical Project Manager
STech.ai
- Coordinated with a cross-functional team and worked collaboratively to develop a high-quality MVP.
- Implemented, facilitated, and streamlined our workflow, tracked progress, and effectively managed tasks within the team using Jira.
- Analyzed the existing system, identified bottlenecks, and implemented optimizations that led to reduced processing times, increased system reliability, and a more seamless user experience.
- Ensured alignment with project objectives and exceeded stakeholder satisfaction through regular communication, effective expectation management, and proactive problem-solving.
- Met sprint goals and delivered valuable increments of the product by effectively managing sprints and prioritizing tasks consistently.
- Played a key role in driving the adoption of Agile practices within the organization and transition from traditional project management to a more Agile and iterative approach.
- Fostered a culture of collaboration and teamwork.
- Identified areas for improvement and implemented action plans to address them by conducting retrospectives at the end of each sprint. This has resulted in a continuous learning culture.
WordPress Developer
Culver Media, LLC
- Updated over 50 websites successfully, migrating them from outdated versions to the most recent PHP, WordPress plugins, and themes.
- Implemented optimization and security measures resulting in a significant load time reduction, improving website performance from ten seconds to three seconds.
- Created a web portal for document management that facilitates real-time auditing and tracking.
- Implemented robust security measures, including regular updates, strong passwords, and security plugins, effectively securing the WordPress website against potential threats and vulnerabilities.
- Introduced a Git version control for code management and seamless deployment on pre-production and production environments, ensuring better tracking of changes, easier team coordination, and streamlined development workflow.
Python Engineer
Plant Prepped
- Developed customer accounts, and reports feature in WordPress, enabling clients with a one-stop solution and removing the dependency on Python and other web portals.
- Enhanced the features of the website, including custom meal planning. It allows customers to personalize their meals based on dietary restrictions and preferences on a weekly basis.
- Integrated analytics and reporting tools into the Plant Prepped website. This enabled tracking key metrics, such as user engagement, meal preferences, and order patterns.
- Added a referral module, which resulted in customers inviting more family and friends on the platform.
- Optimized the website's performance and load times, ensuring fast and efficient browsing for users. Implemented best practices for code optimization and server-side improvements to enhance the overall speed and responsiveness of the platform.
- Recognized the importance of mobile access and achieved excellent mobile responsiveness for the Plant Prepped website. This allowed users to seamlessly access and navigate the platform from various devices, including smartphones and tablets.
Team Lead Web Technologies
STech.ai
- Led a team of developers to design, plan, and deliver an MVP capable of seamless interaction with various platforms and artificial intelligence algorithms, achieving project goals and laying the foundation for future development.
- Initiated and executed a transition successfully, migrating projects from CodeIgniter to Django for the back end and React for the front end. This upgrade enhanced scalability, improved performance, and enabled integration with AI algorithms.
- Implemented optimization techniques and robust security measures in existing projects, improving stability, scalability, and overall performance.
- Conducted thorough code reviews, ensuring high-quality code standards and minimizing errors.
- Crafted effective solution architectures, aligning project goals with technical strategies.
- Multitasked and wore multiple hats, coordinated tasks, fostered collaboration, and achieved project milestones.
- Designed the database, optimizing performance and ensuring efficient data management.
WordPress Consultant and Developer
2ndQuadrant
- Migrated code from a premium theme to a customized child theme, enabling the client to update the premium theme without losing customizations. This provided flexibility, easier maintenance, and ensured compatibility with future theme updates.
- Developed custom widgets to empower non-programmers to effortlessly add and modify content within specific areas of the website.
- Implemented multilingual functionality using the (WPML) and string translations, allowing the website to be accessible in multiple languages. This expanded the website's reach and provided a localized experience for diverse audiences.
- Customized a unique template for the WordPress RSS feed, tailoring the content to meet the specific requirements. This enhanced the presentation of the RSS feed, ensuring a seamless and personalized user experience.
- Optimized the website reducing its load time through various performance enhancements, caching, image optimization, and code optimization. This resulted in improved user experience and higher search engine rankings.
- Strengthened the WordPress website security with updates, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, SSL/TLS encryption, firewall, and security plugins, safeguarding against threats and protecting user data.
Machine Learning Engineer
STech.ai
- Added real-time notifications based on the user role with a user read/unread functionality.
- Developed a script to automatically configure new machines on AWS.
- Integrated Apache Kafka for the real-time communication between the web server and edge device on a public IP.
- Introduced best practices to enhance the security of web projects.
- Developed a wrapper for machine learning algorithms and exposed APIs for front-end tools.
Visiting Faculty (Teacher) for Problem Solving
Quaid-i-Azam University
- Designed a course outline for students who are not familiar with programming.
- Taught 20 students about problem-solving and programming in C++ from scratch.
- Conducted labs and helped students to learn by practicing programming with interesting problems.
Senior Full-stack Developer
Evamp & Saanga
- Gathered requirements from the client and designed the architecture of the product.
- Developed a hierarchical sales tool kit specific to the client's need that connects sales with higher authorities for approvals.
- Managed a team of two developers and delivered the project on time.
WordPress Developer
Discretelogix
- Developed a WordPress theme for a client from scratch.
- Utilized the concept of hooks in WordPress with a new plugin instead of writing code into a premium plugin.
- Completed a weekly sprint in 26 hours that was supposed to take 40 hours.
- Adopted an Agile-based methodology to keep track of tasks and deliver them efficiently.
Full-stack Web Developer
Evamp & Saanga
- Developed fully responsive, cross-browser compatible, custom front-end interfaces as well as integrating a Magento back end.
- Gathered requirements from the client and designed the application architecture.
- Developed an online portal for foreign investor documentation and integrated it with a local payment gateway.
- Designed and integrated a distributed database for internet and intranet users.
Experience
WordPress Website Enhancement for a Law Firm
https://cfalawfirm.com/WordPress Development and Deployment Optimization
https://www.adp-group.fr/TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
• Made updates to the WordPress website, ensuring functionality and adherence to client requirements.
•Optimized the deployment process for staging and production using advanced Linux/Unix scripts.
• Provided ongoing support for website updates and enhancements, including performance optimization and troubleshooting.
• Integrated performance tools like WP Rocket, Cloudflare, Optimole, and Perfmatters to improve speed and efficiency.
WordPress & WooCommerce Medical Equipment Website
https://mediplushomehealth.com/Web Application for Food Services
http://youplateit.com.au/Google Chrome Extension to Automate Order Process
Full-stack Development for Plant Prepped
https://plantprepped.com/KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
• Centralized the ordering and reporting system by migrating a Python platform into WordPress, ensuring seamless functionality and operational efficiency.
• Improved the subscription process for weekly meal deliveries, optimizing the eCommerce experience.
• Boosted revenue by introducing add-on purchases for quick meals and groceries alongside the weekly meal delivery service.
• Enhanced user engagement with intuitive interfaces and streamlined workflows for both customers and administrators.
Gift Card Feature Development for Plant Prepped
http://plantprepped.com/KEY CONTRIBUTIONS
• Designed and implemented a seamless Gift Card functionality integrated with the existing eCommerce platform.
• Enabled customers to send personalized meal gift cards to their loved ones, enhancing the gifting experience.
• Improved user experience by simplifying the gifting process for customers.
• Boosted revenue streams by attracting new customers and encouraging repeat purchases through gift card usage.
Karaoke Search Engine
https://karatrack.com/Rozan—Working for a Violence-free Society
https://rozan.org/MAIN FEATURES
• News and updates
• Programs
• Video and picture galleries
• Publications
• Display of board members
• Careers and contact forms
• Videos loaded from YouTube
• Other templates and widgets developed to display Rozan's impact during COVID-19
2nd Quadrant Website Consultant
https://www.2ndquadrant.com/Message Configurator Plugin for Voxendo
https://voxendo.com/en/message-configurator/Facial Recognition-based Attendance Management System
Camden Tigers
https://www.camdentigers.com.au/I worked as a WordPress developer to bring design into action with WordPress themes, plugins, and customizations.
Fluency Corp
https://fluencycorp.com/MAIN FEATURES
• A step-by-step web portal to buy credits for one or more courses
• WooCommerce integration
• Customized pricing based on study hours
Education
Master's Degree in Artificial Intelligence
NUST | National University of Sciences and Technology - Islamabad, Pakistan
Master's Degree in Computer Science
Quaid-i-Azam University - Islamabad, Pakistan
Certifications
Certified Scrum Product Owner
Scrum Alliance
Product Strategy Micro-Certification
Product School, Inc
Product Roadmapping Micro-Certification
Product School, Inc
Product Mastery Pathway - Explorer
Agile Mastery Institute
Google Project Management Certificate
Coursera
Capstone: Applying Project Management in the Real World
Coursera
Agile Project Management
Coursera
Project Planning: Putting It All Together
Coursera
Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project
Coursera
Foundations of Project Management
Coursera
The Complete Guide to Becoming a Software Architect
Udemy
Skills
Libraries/APIs
jQuery, WooCommerce API, REST APIs, WordPress REST API, WordPress API, Google Maps API, Node.js, Python API, Stripe
Tools
GitHub, Gutenberg Editor, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Google Analytics, Figma, Git, LearnDash, WPBakery, Jira, Asana, Miro, Html2canvas, Optimole
Languages
PHP, CSS, Python, JavaScript, HTML, HTML5, Python 3, CSS3, XML, C++, SQL
Frameworks
Divi, Flask, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), Chrome, Laravel, CodeIgniter, Bootstrap, Django
Paradigms
Agile, Agile Project Management, Responsive Web Design (RWD), REST, Hosting, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), UX Design, UI Design, Scrum, Agile Product Management
Platforms
WordPress, WooCommerce, LAMP, Windows, Ubuntu, WordPress Theme Design, Linux, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Twilio, Firefox, HubSpot
Storage
MySQL, WP Engine, MySQL/MariaDB, JSON, MySQL Server, PostgreSQL
Industry Expertise
Web Design, Project Management
Other
Web Development, WordPress Themes, Elementor, WordPress Design, WordPress Plugins, Front-end, APIs, eCommerce, Full-stack, Plugins, Ajax, Site Speed Optimization, Responsive Design, SEO Tools, Stakeholder Management, Design, Team Leadership, Back-end, MemberPress, Prototyping, Responsiveness, Web Accessibility, Responsive UI, Mega Menus, SMTP, Online Payments, Checkout, Avada, Full-stack Development, WordPress Security, PDF, Websites, Mobile First, Page Speed Optimization, Elementor Pro, PSD to WordPress, WordPress Customization, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Landing Pages, Integration, Themes, Child Themes, Website Optimization, Performance, User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), API Integration, Plugin Development, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools, Technical Leadership, Pixel Perfect, Security, Animation, WP Rocket, Video Players, Product Management, Product Vision, Product Roadmaps, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Beaver Builder, GoDaddy, WordPress LMS, Lazy Loading, WooCommerce Subscriptions 2, UI Animation, CSS3 Animation, Figma to WordPress, Gravity Forms, WordPress SEO, RSS Feeds, 3D Animation, Headless WordPress, Google Drive, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Vision, Web Technologies, Software Engineering, Algorithms, Back-end Development, Google Search Console, Web UI, Software Design, Software System Architecture Development, Web Project Management, IT Project Management, Solution Design, Global Project Management, IT Projects, Documentation, Communication, Budget Management, Gantt Chart, Work Breakdown Structure, Leadership, Yoast SEO, Sports Websites, Sports, Procurement, Process Improvement, Risk Management, Budgeting, Project Scoping, Project Planning, Remote Team Leadership, SEO Audits, Google SEO, Organic SEO, Subscriptions, Product Owner, Scrum Product Owner, Product Ownership, Memberful, Google Analytics 4, Roadmaps, Risk, Stakeholder Analysis, Market Research & Analysis, Feature Backlog Prioritization, Feature Prioritization, Product Strategy, Vimeo, Cloudflare, Blogs, GeneratePress, Chrome Extensions, Payment APIs, Optimization, Perfmatters
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