Zackary is available for hire
Hire ZackaryZackary Wika
Verified Expert in Engineering
WordPress Developer
Location
Austin, TX, United States
Toptal Member Since
June 30, 2021
For over a decade and hundreds of projects, Zackary Wika has specialized in all things WordPress. His development process has a strong emphasis on accessibility, SEO, security, optimization, custom themes, custom plugins, custom blocks, 3rd-party API integrations, and WordPress-related conversions. Zackary has helped marketing teams launch new products, businesses go through a brand refresh, development teams establish best practices, and so much more.
Portfolio
LUNCH LADY LLC
WordPress, HTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, JavaScript, React, Node.js, PHP, APIs...
Various Initiatives
WordPress, HTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, JavaScript, React, Node.js, jQuery...
WordPress Hosting
WordPress, Apache, PHP, Mail, React, Node.js, APIs, Entrepreneurship...
Experience
Availability
Part-time
Preferred Environment
WordPress, GitHub, Docker, Node.js, React, Slack, MAMP, Tower, Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
The most amazing...
...theme refresh that I've developed improved a website's performance score from a 2 to 92 and increased the website's lead conversions by over 300%.
Work Experience
Digital Strategist, Lead Developer
2020 - PRESENT
LUNCH LADY LLC
- Oversaw digital strategy for various businesses, particularly in creating or managing WordPress-related assets.
- Managed various 3rd-party resources for different businesses, particularly in creating or managing CRMs, payment processors, security, accessibility, SEO, and other tools to be integrated within a WordPress instance.
- Developed custom tools, blocks, patterns, templates, plugins, and themes for various businesses' WordPress-related needs.
Technologies: WordPress, HTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, JavaScript, React, Node.js, PHP, APIs, Entrepreneurship, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, Sass, jQuery, REST, GitHub, Interactive UX, Digital Strategy, PSD to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, PSD to HTML, WordPress Design, HTML to WordPress, Gutenberg Editor, Programming, Websites, WordPress API, WordPress REST API, Leadership, Google Analytics, WooCommerce, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Apps, Docker, WordPress VIP, WordPress eCommerce, WordPress Multisite, WordPress Optimization, WordPress Management, WordPress Page Builder, WordPress to PDF, WordPress Installation, WordPress Theme Design, Bootstrap to WordPress, Squarespace to WordPress, Material to WordPress, WordPress Multi-user, Sketch to WordPress, WordPress Rescue, Communication Design, Interaction Design (IxD), UX Design, Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Lead Marketing, Web Marketing, B2C Marketing, SEO Marketing, Marketing Mix, Email Marketing, Drip Marketing, Online Marketing, Media, New Media, Paid Media, Rich Media, Transmit, Front-end, Team Leadership, Plugin Development, Theme Customization, REST APIs, Web Scalability, MySQL, Tailwind CSS, Apache, Mail, Accessibility, NGINX, API Integration, SEO Tools, Web UX Design, WordPress SEO, Back-end, Bootstrap, Web Development, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Ajax, eCommerce, Mobile First, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Stripe, PayPal, CRM APIs, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Full-stack, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Test Automation, Performance Optimization, UI Design, Pixel Perfect, Web Design, Yoast SEO, Mailchimp, Marketplaces, ADA Compliance, Site Speed Optimization, Web Accessibility, Elementor, Avada, Enfold, Wordfence Security, Beaver Builder, RankMath, CallRail, JSON, Google Maps API, Booking Systems, Appointment Booking, Payment APIs, Stripe API, Stripe Payments, SMS Gateways, Multi-vendor eCommerce, ShipStation, Integration, Marketing, Google Ads, MongoDB, Database Caching, UX Flows, Typography, Mobile Navigation, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel, SVG Animation, SCSS, Responsive, Google Merchant Center API, BuddyPress, CI/CD Pipelines, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Basecamp, Payment Processing, Shopify, Gravity Forms, Landing Pages, Information Gathering, Cloudflare, Microsoft SQL Server, Monday.com, Xero API, QA Testing, Testing, WooCommerce API, SendGrid, DNS, Retail, Technical SEO, Inventory Management, Omnichannel Marketing, Google Search Console, Enterprise, Content Management Systems (CMS), Servers, Security, MemberPress, Membership Sites, Webflow, Subscriptions, Contentful, Migration, Google AdWords, GoDaddy, Agile, Database Architecture, Full-stack Development, Technical Leadership, Online Payments, Automation, WP Engine, PHP 7, Architecture, News, Social Media APIs, Social Media, LearnDash, B2B
Senior Full-stack Developer
2004 - PRESENT
Various Initiatives
- Produced various custom WordPress plugins that have either lived on a marketplace or were run internally for multiple businesses.
- Developed various websites that solved specific problems the marketplace didn't have an existing solution for.
- Collaborated with various businesses and universities to create internal tools, networks, and directories that helped them connect assets among multiple individuals and departments.
Technologies: WordPress, HTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, JavaScript, React, Node.js, jQuery, Tailwind CSS, REST, APIs, WordPress API, Entrepreneurship, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, Sass, GitHub, Interactive UX, Digital Strategy, PSD to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, PSD to HTML, WordPress Design, HTML to WordPress, Gutenberg Editor, Programming, Websites, PHP, WordPress REST API, Leadership, Google Analytics, WooCommerce, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Apps, Docker, WordPress VIP, WordPress eCommerce, WordPress Multisite, WordPress Optimization, WordPress Management, WordPress Page Builder, WordPress to PDF, WordPress Installation, WordPress Theme Design, Bootstrap to WordPress, Squarespace to WordPress, Material to WordPress, WordPress Multi-user, Sketch to WordPress, WordPress Rescue, Communication Design, Interaction Design (IxD), UX Design, Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Lead Marketing, Web Marketing, B2C Marketing, SEO Marketing, Marketing Mix, Email Marketing, Drip Marketing, Online Marketing, Media, New Media, Paid Media, Rich Media, Transmit, Front-end, Team Leadership, Plugin Development, Theme Customization, REST APIs, Web Scalability, MySQL, Apache, Mail, Accessibility, NGINX, API Integration, SEO Tools, Web UX Design, WordPress SEO, Back-end, Bootstrap, Web Development, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Ajax, eCommerce, Mobile First, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Stripe, PayPal, CRM APIs, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Full-stack, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Test Automation, Performance Optimization, UI Design, Pixel Perfect, Web Design, Yoast SEO, Mailchimp, Marketplaces, ADA Compliance, Site Speed Optimization, Web Accessibility, Elementor, Avada, Enfold, Wordfence Security, Beaver Builder, CallRail, JSON, Google Maps API, Booking Systems, Appointment Booking, Payment APIs, Stripe API, Stripe Payments, SMS Gateways, Multi-vendor eCommerce, ShipStation, Integration, Marketing, Google Ads, MongoDB, Database Caching, UX Flows, Typography, Mobile Navigation, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel, SVG Animation, SCSS, Responsive, Google Merchant Center API, BuddyPress, CI/CD Pipelines, Basecamp, Payment Processing, Shopify, Gravity Forms, Landing Pages, Information Gathering, Cloudflare, Microsoft SQL Server, Monday.com, Xero API, Testing, WooCommerce API, SendGrid, DNS, Retail, Technical SEO, Inventory Management, Omnichannel Marketing, Google Search Console, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Enterprise, Content Management Systems (CMS), Servers, Security, MemberPress, Membership Sites, Webflow, Subscriptions, Contentful, Migration, Google AdWords, GoDaddy, Agile, Database Architecture, Full-stack Development, Technical Leadership, Online Payments, Automation, WP Engine, PHP 7, News, Social Media APIs, Social Media, LearnDash, B2B
Senior Full-stack Developer
2023 - 2024
WordPress Hosting
- Built an MVP from scratch for a WordPress hosting company using best practices and modern standards.
- Developed various RESTful APIs to manage the WordPress environments that included standard solutions, including storage, optimization, security, backups, etc.
- Managed various testers, account managers, developers, and contributors to help in the MVP and beta internal testing.
Technologies: WordPress, Apache, PHP, Mail, React, Node.js, APIs, Entrepreneurship, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, HTML, HTML5, CSS, Sass, JavaScript, jQuery, REST, GitHub, Interactive UX, Digital Strategy, PSD to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, PSD to HTML, WordPress Design, HTML to WordPress, Gutenberg Editor, Programming, Websites, WordPress API, WordPress REST API, Leadership, Google Analytics, WooCommerce, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Apps, Docker, WordPress VIP, WordPress eCommerce, WordPress Multisite, WordPress Optimization, WordPress Management, WordPress Page Builder, WordPress to PDF, WordPress Installation, WordPress Theme Design, Bootstrap to WordPress, Squarespace to WordPress, Material to WordPress, WordPress Multi-user, Sketch to WordPress, WordPress Rescue, Communication Design, Interaction Design (IxD), UX Design, Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Lead Marketing, Web Marketing, B2C Marketing, SEO Marketing, Marketing Mix, Email Marketing, Drip Marketing, Online Marketing, Media, New Media, Paid Media, Rich Media, Transmit, CSS3, Front-end, Team Leadership, Plugin Development, Theme Customization, REST APIs, Web Scalability, MySQL, Tailwind CSS, Accessibility, NGINX, API Integration, SEO Tools, Web UX Design, WordPress SEO, Back-end, Bootstrap, Web Development, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Ajax, eCommerce, Mobile First, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Stripe, PayPal, CRM APIs, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Full-stack, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Test Automation, Performance Optimization, UI Design, Pixel Perfect, Web Design, Yoast SEO, Mailchimp, Marketplaces, ADA Compliance, Site Speed Optimization, Web Accessibility, Elementor, Avada, Enfold, Wordfence Security, Beaver Builder, RankMath, CallRail, JSON, Google Maps API, Booking Systems, Appointment Booking, Payment APIs, Stripe API, Stripe Payments, SMS Gateways, Multi-vendor eCommerce, ShipStation, Integration, Marketing, Google Ads, MongoDB, Database Caching, UX Flows, Typography, Mobile Navigation, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel, SVG Animation, SCSS, Responsive, Google Merchant Center API, BuddyPress, CI/CD Pipelines, Basecamp, Payment Processing, Shopify, Gravity Forms, Landing Pages, Information Gathering, Cloudflare, Microsoft SQL Server, Monday.com, Xero API, QA Testing, Testing, WooCommerce API, SendGrid, DNS, Retail, Technical SEO, Inventory Management, Omnichannel Marketing, Google Search Console, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Enterprise, Content Management Systems (CMS), Servers, Security, Membership Sites, Webflow, Subscriptions, Contentful, Migration, Google AdWords, GoDaddy, Agile, Database Architecture, Full-stack Development, Technical Leadership, Online Payments, Automation, WP Engine, PHP 7, Architecture, News, Social Media APIs, Social Media, LearnDash, B2B
Senior Full-stack Developer
2004 - 2020
Various Agencies
- Worked as a lead/senior full-stack developer for various agencies in Portland, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, and New York City.
- Performed leadership-related tasks, including managing business relations, creating digital strategies, managing developers and other stakeholders, and architecting requirements on both the agency and business sides.
- Launched hundreds of websites for businesses all over the world, including Mainstreet, KCRW, PICKUPs, IBM, CyrusOne, Mr. Cooper, Joe's Crab Shack, Pollo Campero, Jack Daniels, Motel 6, Bank of America, Comedy Central, and many more.
Technologies: WordPress, HTML, HTML5, CSS, CSS3, JavaScript, React, Node.js, jQuery, MySQL, PHP, REST, CodeKit, BrowserStack, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, Sass, GitHub, Interactive UX, Digital Strategy, PSD to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, PSD to HTML, WordPress Design, HTML to WordPress, Gutenberg Editor, Programming, Websites, WordPress API, WordPress REST API, Leadership, Google Analytics, WooCommerce, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Apps, Docker, WordPress VIP, WordPress eCommerce, WordPress Multisite, WordPress Optimization, WordPress Management, WordPress Page Builder, WordPress to PDF, WordPress Installation, WordPress Theme Design, Bootstrap to WordPress, Squarespace to WordPress, Material to WordPress, WordPress Multi-user, Sketch to WordPress, WordPress Rescue, Communication Design, Interaction Design (IxD), UX Design, Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Lead Marketing, Web Marketing, B2C Marketing, SEO Marketing, Marketing Mix, Email Marketing, Drip Marketing, Online Marketing, Media, New Media, Paid Media, Rich Media, Transmit, Front-end, Team Leadership, Plugin Development, Theme Customization, REST APIs, Web Scalability, APIs, Tailwind CSS, Apache, Mail, Accessibility, NGINX, API Integration, SEO Tools, Web UX Design, WordPress SEO, Back-end, Bootstrap, Web Development, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Ajax, eCommerce, Mobile First, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Stripe, PayPal, CRM APIs, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Full-stack, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Test Automation, Performance Optimization, UI Design, Pixel Perfect, Web Design, Yoast SEO, Mailchimp, ADA Compliance, Site Speed Optimization, Web Accessibility, Elementor, Avada, Enfold, Wordfence Security, Beaver Builder, RankMath, CallRail, JSON, Google Maps API, Booking Systems, Appointment Booking, Payment APIs, Stripe API, Stripe Payments, SMS Gateways, Multi-vendor eCommerce, ShipStation, Integration, Marketing, Google Ads, MongoDB, Database Caching, UX Flows, Typography, Mobile Navigation, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel, SVG Animation, SCSS, Responsive, Google Merchant Center API, BuddyPress, CI/CD Pipelines, Basecamp, Payment Processing, Shopify, Gravity Forms, Landing Pages, Information Gathering, Cloudflare, Microsoft SQL Server, Monday.com, Xero API, QA Testing, Testing, WooCommerce API, SendGrid, DNS, Retail, Technical SEO, Inventory Management, Omnichannel Marketing, Google Search Console, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Enterprise, Content Management Systems (CMS), Servers, Security, MemberPress, Membership Sites, Webflow, Subscriptions, Contentful, Migration, Google AdWords, GoDaddy, Agile, Database Architecture, Full-stack Development, Technical Leadership, Online Payments, Automation, WP Engine, PHP 7, Architecture, News, Social Media APIs, Social Media, LearnDash, B2B
Experience
Auditing and Optimizing for a Data Center Company
A WordPress installation with a custom theme had thousands of files that needed to be audited and optimized. I was the lead developer and digital strategist on the initiative that required the mapping and redevelopment of their custom theme and plugins. Ultimately, we successfully reduced their file requirements by over 90% for a more manageable file structure, leading to a higher ranking on Google.
Managed Integrations for Delivery App
A WordPress installation for a delivery service app needed custom integrations to connect their existing website to various third-party platforms. Partner management, employee recruitment, and app integrations were just a few of the requirements that needed to be integrated into their custom WordPress theme. I was the lead developer and digital strategist on the project that helped successfully connect these third-party platforms, which ultimately led to further growth and another investment round.
Modernization for Technology Manufacturer
A WordPress installation with years' worth of materials had an older branding needing a refresh for the modern web. I was the lead developer and digital strategist tasked with replacing the theme while still maintaining the structure and content of the site. By mapping the structure and requirements of the site, we were able to replace the current theme with a new custom theme in a development environment that we later successfully merged with the live environment. The new look and feel of the site maintained the website's material presence and ultimately led to an acquisition.
Accessibility for an Insurance Agency
A WordPress installation with years' worth of initiatives and a team needing help understanding modern accessibility standards to modernize these old initiatives. I was the lead developer and digital strategist on the initiative that required creating a standards and processes document that covered accessibility best practices and how to implement them within the environment. Ultimately, we successfully modernized their development through this document and the proceeding management of the implementation of accessibility best practices.
Author Experience for a University
A WordPress installation with hundreds of pages and child websites needed resources to help their various authors manage large quantities of content. I was the lead developer and digital strategist on the initiative that required rebuilding existing assets into a modern block, pattern, and template strategy for easier content management and creation throughout all of their websites. Ultimately, we successfully reduced their author time and helped navigate how to proceed in modern marketing practices rather than constantly putting out old fires with old processes.
Skills
Languages
HTML, HTML5, CSS, Sass, JavaScript, PHP, CSS3, SCSS, PHP 7
Frameworks
Tailwind CSS, Bootstrap
Libraries/APIs
jQuery, React, WordPress API, WordPress REST API, Node.js, REST APIs, Stripe, Google Maps API, Stripe API, Google Merchant Center API, BuddyPress, Xero API, WooCommerce API, Google AdWords, Social Media APIs
Tools
Slack, MAMP, Tower, BrowserStack, GitHub, Gutenberg Editor, Google Analytics, Apache, NGINX, Figma, Adobe Experience Design (XD), Adobe, Adobe Photoshop, Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Mailchimp, ShipStation, Facebook Pixel, Basecamp, Wix, SendGrid, LearnDash
Paradigms
REST, UX Design, Web UX Design, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Test Automation, UI Design, Responsive, Testing, Agile, Automation, B2B
Platforms
WordPress, WooCommerce, Docker, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), WordPress VIP, WordPress Theme Design, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CallRail, Webflow, Contentful, Shopify
Storage
MySQL, JSON, MongoDB, Database Caching, Database Architecture, WP Engine, Microsoft SQL Server
Industry Expertise
Web Design, Marketing, Social Media
Other
CodeKit, Entrepreneurship, User Experience (UX), Graphic Design, Interactive UX, Digital Strategy, PSD to WordPress, WordPress Themes, WordPress Plugins, PSD to HTML, WordPress Design, HTML to WordPress, Programming, Websites, Leadership, User Interface (UI), Responsive Web Apps, WordPress eCommerce, WordPress Multisite, WordPress Optimization, WordPress Management, WordPress Page Builder, WordPress to PDF, WordPress Installation, Bootstrap to WordPress, Squarespace to WordPress, Material to WordPress, WordPress Multi-user, Sketch to WordPress, WordPress Rescue, Communication Design, Interaction Design (IxD), Critical Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Lead Marketing, Web Marketing, B2C Marketing, SEO Marketing, Marketing Mix, Email Marketing, Drip Marketing, Online Marketing, Media, New Media, Paid Media, Rich Media, Transmit, Front-end, Team Leadership, Plugin Development, Theme Customization, Web Scalability, APIs, Mail, Accessibility, API Integration, SEO Tools, WordPress SEO, Back-end, Web Development, Ajax, eCommerce, Mobile First, PayPal, CRM APIs, Full-stack, Performance Optimization, Pixel Perfect, Yoast SEO, Marketplaces, ADA Compliance, Site Speed Optimization, Web Accessibility, WCAG 2, Elementor, Avada, Enfold, Wordfence Security, Beaver Builder, RankMath, Booking Systems, Appointment Booking, Payment APIs, Stripe Payments, SMS Gateways, Multi-vendor eCommerce, Integration, Google Ads, UX Flows, Typography, Mobile Navigation, Mobile UX, Mobile UI, Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager, SVG Animation, CI/CD Pipelines, OpenAI GPT-4 API, Payment Processing, Gravity Forms, Landing Pages, Information Gathering, Cloudflare, Monday.com, QA Testing, DNS, Retail, Technical SEO, Inventory Management, Omnichannel Marketing, Google Search Console, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Enterprise, Content Management Systems (CMS), Servers, Security, MemberPress, Membership Sites, Subscriptions, Migration, GoDaddy, Full-stack Development, Technical Leadership, Online Payments, Architecture, News
Education
2017 - 2019
Master's Degree in Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship
University of Texas at Austin - Austin, Texas, USA
2015 - 2016
Associate's Degree in General Studies
Austin Community College - Austin, Texas, USA
2010 - 2014
Bachelor's Degree in Communication Design
Texas Woman's University (TWU) - Denton, Texas, USA
2010 - 2013
Associate's Degree in General Studies
Dallas College - Dallas, Texas, USA
2009 - 2010
Bachelor's Degree in Cinematography and Film
Portland State University - Portland, Oregon, USA
2008 - 2009
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing Communications
Columbia College Chicago - Chicago, Illinois, USA
2004 - 2008
Associate's Degree in Audio and Video Production
Lower Columbia College - Longview, Washington, USA
Certifications
JANUARY 2023 - PRESENT
Certified WordPress Developer
Codeable
JANUARY 2022 - PRESENT
Certified WordPress Developer
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