Hi, I'm Richard

I'm not a fan of talking about myself, but in the world of virtual agencies, I think it's important to know the human at the other end. That human is me. Hi. 👋

First, what do I mean by a virtual agency?

I leverage AI to run a streamlined, one-person team. It's 2024 and freely-available AI technology has given us all superpowers. It allows us to work faster and smarter. Plus, with no physical office, employee costs, or expensive content writers, I'm able to keep my overheads low. All of this means I can work faster and offer more services for lower-cost than traditional agencies.

Second, let's talk about competence.

I currently hold the position of Senior Frontend Developer at Harris Creative, where I lead the web department, building custom WordPress themes and components for major players in the construction industry.

Furthermore, I'm proud to say that I'm a certified Codeable Expert—a community of highly-vetted, top-tier WordPress developers. 💪

I also run this agency, Ace Digital Design. Initially, I only offered WordPress services, but now I focus on creating simple, static websites instead. Why? Because most small businesses looking for their first website really don't need the complexity of WordPress (and therefore, the expense).

Don't get me wrong, I love WordPress but it can be a hassle—it's complicated to set up, needs constant monitoring, and is mainly suited for clients who want to regularly manage their own content. While I still build WordPress sites, this is now a high-ticket service and usually not appropriate for most of my clients. If you're adamant about having a pixel-perfect design and want to update content yourself, WordPress is likely the perfect choice! Just understand that this level of control comes at a cost.

However, for most people looking for a straightforward website to establish an online presence, static sites are a much better fit. And when you're ready to grow, you can always upgrade to WordPress or another platform later.

When I'm not busy building websites, I live in West Yorkshire with my partner and our family dog, Millie. 💕