Sometimes I find myself thinking about the very first website I designed as the owner and webmaster of Web Studio Marita, more than 15 years ago.
It was more than 15 years ago, and I still remember the excitement of building that website from scratch. Back then, there was no WordPress installation, no drag-and-drop builder, and no ready-made templates. Every page was manually coded, carefully designed, and developed line by line.
Creating a website this way was certainly more challenging than using modern platforms, but the sense of accomplishment was incredible. Looking back, I can honestly say that those early coding experiences helped shape the web designer and developer I am today.
Although WordPress is now my preferred platform for many projects, my coding background continues to be extremely valuable. It allows me to customise websites, troubleshoot technical issues, write custom code, and improve existing functionality when required. Having both design and coding experience gives me a deeper understanding of how websites work behind the scenes.
My First Client Website in Fife
My very first website project was created for Rejuvenate Fitness & Wellbeing in Cupar, Fife.
The business has since closed, but we worked together for several years, during which I provided website updates, amendments, and ongoing support. It was a fantastic experience and an important milestone in my web design journey.
Subsequent Projects in Fife
Following the Rejuvenate project, I designed and developed three additional websites for businesses based in Cupar and the wider Fife area.
The businesses have since closed, and their websites are no longer active. As is often the case with small businesses, circumstances change over time. However, those projects remain an important part of my professional journey and helped me gain valuable experience in website design, development, maintenance, and client support.
Two projects were created entirely from scratch using hand-written code: Inch Loss Fife and Pluckin Magic, while another was originally hand-coded before being redesigned and rebuilt on the WordPress platform to meet modern web standards and provide a responsive user experience: Vincent Butler Artist.
Although these projects are no longer available to view today, each one played a valuable role in developing my technical skills and experience as a web designer and developer.
Strong Relationships Built Over Time
One thing I am particularly grateful for is the strong relationship I have built with my clients in Fife over the years.
A successful website is not only about design, functionality, or search engine optimisation. It is also about trust, communication, and long-term support. Many of my clients have remained in touch for years, and I genuinely appreciate the confidence they have placed in my work.
From Hand-Coded Websites to Modern WordPress Development
More than 15 years later, I still enjoy helping businesses establish a professional online presence through website design, WordPress development, SEO, branding, and ongoing website support.
The technology has changed dramatically over the years, but the excitement of launching a new website remains exactly the same.
Times fly by, but memories stay with us 🙂
