From design files to WordPress theme: the process I use for agencies.

I thoroughly examine the design files to understand layout structure, component hierarchy, breakpoints, interactive elements, colour scheme and typography. I identify what is feasible in WordPress, what requires custom approaches and what needs adapting for performance and responsive behaviour.

Before writing code, I define the WordPress architecture: template hierarchy, custom post types, custom fields, plugin scope and responsive strategy. This planning phase prevents rework and keeps delivery predictable for the agency.

It is also the stage where design sensitivity matters most on the development side: an accurate technical analysis here reduces revision cycles later.

I create semantic HTML5 markup from the design: proper heading hierarchy, structured content, accessible forms and semantic elements for search engines. This layer is the foundation everything else builds on.

CSS matches the design with high visual fidelity while remaining fully responsive. I use CSS Grid, Flexbox, custom properties and media queries for mobile, tablet and desktop. When the design does not include responsive variants, I create them: rethought layouts for touch, fluid typography, images with srcset and modern formats.

I convert HTML into a WordPress theme: functions.php, template tags, The Loop, custom post types, meta fields, widget areas, menus and taxonomies. The theme becomes a cohesive unit living inside the WordPress ecosystem.

I integrate ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) or custom metaboxes to make every content area editable without touching code. The agency's client can update text, images and sections independently. The agency can manage changes without coming back to me for every variation.

I test the site on real devices. I optimise Core Web Vitals, lazy loading and caching. I verify WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility: heading hierarchy, alt text, ARIA labels, keyboard navigation and colour contrast. At the end, the theme is production-ready.

I work with the formats most common in agency workflows.

• Figma — the most popular, easy to inspect and export assets from.
• PSD (Photoshop) — classic format, I extract layers and optimise.
• Adobe XD — similar workflow to Figma, fully supported.
• Sketch — Mac-native tool, supported without limitations.

An agency build is not just a site that works. It is a product that must survive handoff: moving from my environment to the agency's, then to the end client, without technical surprises.

That means commented and structured code so another developer can continue the project, theme documentation, a CMS configured for non-technical use and no hidden dependencies on non-standard plugins or libraries.

The final result follows the design with high visual fidelity while staying realistic about responsive environments and browser rendering differences. The goal is not fragile perfectionism but a reliable implementation that still feels true to the original design.

Performance first: clean code, minimal dependencies, optimised images, lazy loading. The theme loads fast and ranks well on Core Web Vitals.

WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility: proper heading hierarchy, alt text, ARIA labels, keyboard navigation, sufficient colour contrast and semantic HTML.

Every project includes a deliverable set designed for agencies that need to manage the result independently.

• Complete custom WordPress theme — production-ready PHP, CSS and JavaScript.
• Theme documentation — technical guide for developers.
• CMS setup — instructions for managing content with ACF.
• 30-day post-launch support — bug fixes and minor adjustments.
• Git repository — full version history and code access.