I'm a freelance web developer specialising in creating web applications, based in Manchester, UK.

I can help you with:

• PHP web application design and development
• Linux and AWS hosting architecture design and deployment
• Systems integration, using APIs and bespoke interfaces
• Web application security analysis
• GDPR compliance

I have over 11 years experience working in the digital sector, as a freelance PHP developer and consultant and as a business owner and director. I have delivered web applications and websites for clients ranging from small independent businesses to PLC's.

I have predominately worked in operations roles, and have experience in creating and building software systems which improve or replace operational inefficiencies, integrate with financial systems such as Xero or Stripe, or which create opportunities for data collection and analysis. I've always had a particular focus on security and data privacy, especially with the forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation - the GDPR.

One of my key skills therefore is designing and coding bespoke PHP applications, which often interact with other business systems via APIs, webhooks or other technologies.

Web applications need somewhere to live, and so I'm experienced at advising on, setting up and managing Linux cPanel server hosting environments and using Amazon Web Services to leverage the power of their scalable cloud infrastructure and serverless computing. I have years of experience using MySQL databases and am now working with schemaless databases like DynamoDB.

That's a lot of long words

I know, sorry. But I'm also a very experienced project manager capable of delivering the technology while being aware of the commercial goals and working closely and transparently with other individuals and teams.

I'm a certified Scrum Product Owner, and I like to use the Agile software development methodology Scrum for every product that I build. Scrum helps teams address complex problems while productively delivering products of the highest possible value.

Some more techy stuff

My primary technologies include PHP, MySQL, Apache, Node.js, JavaScript, HTML, CSS & SASS, Gulp, jQuery, Linux WHM/cPanel, Amazon Web Services including IAM security, Elastic Beanstalk, Lambda and DynamoDB and .architect. I use Git version control, and have lots of experience with DNS and domain setups including AWS Route53.

I use Yii 2 as my primary PHP development framework, although I have experience of other MVC frameworks and publishing platforms.

Anything else?

I'm a founder of, and formerly Director of Operations at Human, an online software, mobile and web application development consultancy based in Manchester.

My university degree was in Psychology (BSc Hons. at Manchester), where my interests were around Human-machine interaction and Human Error. I love to bring these psychological principles into the digital sector and apply them to user interface and interaction design as well as business operations.

I'm a keen outdoorsman, with a preference for high, snowy places. I love hiking, mountaineering, rock and winter climbing.

There's also a chance you might have seen me in my former career playing drums with Nine Black Alps - a Manchester rock band who came to fame in 2004. After over 14 years in the business, we're still around, somehow...

Say hello!

Please get in touch to discuss your requirements: hello@jamesgalley.com