Vernon S. Howard - Expert Freelance WordPress developer in Norwalk, CT
Welcome!
I’m Vernon S. Howard, a WordPress developer with over 20 years of experience, specializing in custom, high-performance WordPress themes for businesses and agencies. Based in Norwalk, CT, I help clients transform their ideas into sleek, scalable, and fully optimized websites.
Why Work With Me?
- Custom WordPress Development – Built for speed, security, and seamless user experience
- Expert in PHP, HTML, CSS, & Responsive Design – Ensuring your site looks great on any device
- KISS & DRY Coding Principles – Clean, maintainable, and efficient code for long-term success
- Fast Turnaround & Reliable Support – No unnecessary complexity, just results
Services I Offer:
- WordPress Consulting – Get expert guidance for your next project
- Custom Theme Development – Bespoke WordPress themes tailored to your needs
- Theme Customization – Modify and enhance existing WordPress themes
- Website Migrations – Seamlessly move your site to WordPress without downtime
- Troubleshooting & Fixes – Resolve issues quickly and effectively
- Plugin Development – Custom solutions to expand your site’s functionality
- Ongoing Maintenance & Support – Keep your website secure and up to date
Let’s Build Something Great!
Your website should be an asset, not a headache. Whether you’re an agency looking for a trusted WordPress partner or a business ready to upgrade your online presence, I’m here to help. Let’s chat—your next high-performing WordPress site starts here!
Leave me a message by phone at (203) 614-9320 or contact me on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vshoward/).
Some Brands I've Worked With...
WordPress Portfolio
Frequently Asked Questions
No, I don’t consider myself a “web designer.” My focus is on the code development of the site (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP). I can design simple layouts, but my formal training is in computer science. Usually, I’m provided PSDs, Figma, XD, or Sketch files by a graphic designer, and I then code them out per client spec.
If you need a graphic designer, below is a list of freelance graphic designers I’ve worked with and recommend:
Yes, I offer monthly retainer rates for ongoing WordPress development, maintenance, and support. Retainers are ideal for businesses that need consistent updates, troubleshooting, or new feature development without the hassle of managing individual project invoices. The retainer model provides priority support, predictable costs, and a set number of dedicated hours each month. Pricing depends on the scope of work and the level of support required. If you’re interested in a retainer agreement, we can discuss your needs and determine a plan that works best for you.
Project timelines vary based on scope and complexity. For example, an e-commerce site with custom functionality will take longer than a standard informational site. Key factors that influence development time include:
✅ Number of Custom Templates – More templates require more coding and testing
✅ User Functionality – Features like membership portals, interactive elements, or advanced filtering add development time
✅ API Integrations – Connecting third-party services or external data sources impacts complexity
✅ Design Requirements – The level of customization in animations, layouts, and UI elements
The total number of pages or posts is typically less critical than these factors.
How to Get an Accurate Estimate
I provide precise timelines after reviewing design mockups and discussing functionality needs with your team. This ensures I understand the full scope before committing to a timeline.
Let’s chat about your project, and I’ll outline a development plan that meets your goals!
WordPress is a powerful, flexible platform that powers millions of websites worldwide. Its user-friendly interface and vast plugin ecosystem make it accessible for businesses of all sizes. But while pre-made themes offer convenience, they often come with limitations—restricting design, functionality, and performance.
That’s where custom WordPress development makes the difference. A bespoke theme is built specifically for your needs, ensuring:
✅ A Unique Brand Identity – Stand out with a design that reflects your vision
✅ Optimized Performance – Faster load times and better SEO rankings
✅ Seamless User Experience – Built around your audience’s needs, not a generic template
✅ Scalability & Flexibility – Easily expand and integrate with future business needs
✅ Lightweight, Clean Code – No bloated features slowing down your site
If you’re looking for a custom WordPress solution that delivers speed, functionality, and a tailored user experience, I can help bring your vision to life. Let’s build something that works exactly the way you need it to.
Read more about Unlocking the Power of Bespoke WordPress Theme Development
It depends on your budget, but I recommend WP Engine for WordPress hosting.
A less expensive alternative, but with decent performance, is GreenGeeks.
If my workload permits, I will consider donating my time and expertise to eligible 501(c)(3) charity organizations that work with United States Military Veterans or are no-kill animal shelters.
Contact me below to start a conversation.
Testimonials
I’ve had the privilege of working with Vernon on many projects. He has that rare combination of affability with a sharp confidence. His ability to translate a design into a working site is remarkably intuitive. He takes pride in his work and is a pleasure to collaborate with. He’s also generous with translating technical concepts into non-technical terms for clients and colleagues. This guy knows what he’s doing and he’s a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend him.
Vernon is a dedicated and hardworking professional. He will endeavor to meet the demands of any project and is willing to learn, which he does very quickly. I would work with this person on any project.
Vernon is a very talented and knowledgeable WordPress developer. I have worked with him for more than four years on everything from full custom WordPress backend builds to monthly proactive maintenance. He is incredibly responsive and communicative and can fix or build just about anything. I appreciate his partnership and highly recommend him for backend development.
Vernon effortlessly blends marketing expertise with solid web design, a rare and interesting combination and can be considered ahead of the curve on where the future of web technology is going. He’s also passionate and driven.
I had the pleasure of working with Vernon on a major project at AAUW, updating the theme on a 600+ site WordPress multisite. Left with an incomplete theme from a previous developer, we were in a tough spot—until Vernon stepped in. He was highly responsive, fixed coding issues, improved functionality, and even developed a custom plugin to track site updates, saving us countless hours. Vernon made a slow, painful project painless and efficient. He was easy to work with, communicated effectively, and delivered top-notch results. I highly recommend him for WordPress development and would gladly work with him again.
Vernon is a competent technical programmer and a highly experienced businessman to boot – a rare but extremely valuable mix in my experience.
Vernon is an extremely knowledgeable WordPress developer and has been an asset for my company and our clients. His understanding of all sides of web development, SEO implementation, and server maintenance are just a few of his strengths. He’s an expert when it comes to WordPress and its plugins and can find solutions to any issue that may arise. He also works great with our design/marketing team and understands what we’re trying to achieve for our customers. Great communication, always meets his deadlines, and offers solutions to problems that most would miss.
Vernon is a great team player. Very quick to respond to any technical questions or issues and resolve them. Can always count on him!
I have had the pleasure of working with Vernon for over 10 years. He is a highly skilled WordPress developer who has helped me enhance my web and mobile designs and achieve the best possible results. He is highly efficient and consistently delivers projects on time. I would strongly recommend him.
Not only is he an expert in all things WordPress and web development, he’s extremely thorough and surefooted in his work. He always weighs the pros and cons of multiple approaches to solving the problem so that we may select the best option for our clients.
We contracted Vernon on several WordPress-based websites and he did a great job dealing with our internal chaos, bringing his development experience to guide the process, warn us of pitfalls, and he got the job done on time. He has a good eye for design and the technical know-how to create custom templates and plugins. In the end, we had a custom high-quality website that made our company look good.
Vernon Howard is the definition of a consummate professional. He has demonstrated himself to be an invaluable partner and asset to the agencies and businesses lucky enough to call themselves his clients. Exceptionally responsive and detail-oriented, he is able to quickly join teams and provide immediate value & technical guidance, breaking down complex technical concepts in ways that even the most technologically challenged can understand. As a WordPress wizard, we’ve yet to find a task he can’t handle with his expertise and knowledge. It’s impossible to overstate the value he has brought to our team.
Vernon Howard is an excellent developer when it comes to websites! We started using Vernon about a year ago and haven’t looked back. He is fair, meets his deadlines, and makes good suggestions when it comes to improving functionality. Vernon is not one of those developers that you can ever find, he is very responsive and takes the time to explain the pros and cons of development. Most important, his coding is CLEAN and not full of unnecessary plugins that break sites causing problems. We are very happy with him, glad we found him, and recommend him to anyone who wants a WordPress developer that knows what he is doing and expects the best.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Vernon on several web projects, and his expertise in WordPress development is truly outstanding. As a Designer, I value a Developer who not only understands the technical side but also has a keen sense for maintaining the design integrity throughout the build process. Vernon consistently delivered on both fronts.
Vernon has a strong attention to detail, is great at problem-solving, and always ensured that the user experience was a top priority. His ability to collaborate with designers, communicate effectively, and adapt to changes made the entire process smooth and efficient. I highly recommend Vernon for any WordPress development needs.
Vernon provided great support to us as our blog, the center of the company’s social media program, continued to evolve. He advised us on including additional functions, then was invaluable in researching upgrades and getting the coding updates completed in a timely manner. His insights and customer service proved invaluable.
