Bristol has quietly become one of the UK's most exciting tech hubs. While London grabs the headlines, Bristol has built a creative, collaborative tech scene that attracts exceptional talent without the London price tag or pace.
If you're looking to hire a freelance web developer in Bristol, you're spoilt for choice. But how do you find the right developer for your specific project? And what makes Bristol's web development community so special?
In this guide, we'll introduce you to some of Bristol's top freelance web developers - including our carefully curated bristol.dev members and other standout talent in the local scene. Whether you need a React specialist, a sustainable web expert, or a versatile full-stack developer, you'll find the right match here.
Why Hire a Bristol-Based Web Developer?
Before we dive into individual developers, it's worth understanding what makes Bristol developers special.
Creative Community Culture
Bristol's tech scene isn't just about code - it's deeply connected to the city's wider creative industries. Developers here often collaborate with designers, artists, and creative businesses, which means they understand that great web development isn't just about functionality. It's about craft, aesthetics, and user experience.
This creative influence shows in the work. Bristol developers tend to care deeply about typography, visual hierarchy, animation, and the details that make websites feel polished rather than just functional.
Collaborative Not Competitive
Unlike some tech hubs where everyone's guarding their secrets, Bristol's developer community is genuinely collaborative. Freelancers refer work to each other, share knowledge at meetups, and support each other's success. This matters because when you hire one Bristol developer, you're often tapping into a wider network of trusted collaborators.
Quality Over Quantity
Bristol attracts developers who prioritise quality of life and quality of work over maximising billable hours. Many have deliberately chosen Bristol over London because they value the work-life balance, the creative scene, and the lower cost of living. This tends to attract developers who genuinely care about their craft.
Proven Remote Work Culture
Bristol developers were working remotely and with distributed teams long before 2020 made it mainstream. The city's tech scene has always served clients nationally and internationally, so local developers have refined their remote collaboration processes over years, not months.
bristol.dev Members: Our Curated Picks
At bristol.dev, we only invite developers we genuinely trust and would recommend to our own clients. Here are our current members specialising in web development.
Simon Brown: SEO-First Full-Stack Developer
Website: buildwithsimon.com Email: hello@buildwithsimon.com Specialisms: Webflow, WordPress, Next.js, Payload CMS, SEO, Frontend Development
Why hire Simon?
Simon takes a unique approach to web development: building SEO considerations into the design and development process from day one, not as an afterthought. This integrated thinking means the sites he builds aren't just beautiful and functional - they're designed to be discovered, rank well, and convert visitors from launch.
Platform expertise:
- Webflow - Custom designs, CMS integrations, and animations for marketing sites
- WordPress - Custom theme development, plugin integrations, and performance optimization
- Next.js - Modern web applications with server-side rendering and optimal performance
- Payload CMS - Headless CMS solutions for flexible, scalable content management
What makes Simon particularly valuable is his versatility. Rather than forcing every project into one platform, he recommends the right solution for your specific needs and budget. Need a marketing site your team can update easily? Webflow might be perfect. Need a modern, performant web application with a headless CMS? Next.js and Payload CMS could be ideal.
His SEO-first approach includes:
- Proper semantic HTML and structured data from the start
- Performance-first development with fast loading times
- Typography and hierarchy optimised for engagement
- Mobile-first responsive design meeting Google's requirements
- Technical precision: metadata, alt text, internal linking, crawlability
Sites Simon builds are ready to rank from day one, saving you months of expensive SEO consultancy later.
Best for: Businesses wanting a comprehensive approach where SEO, performance, clean code, and beautiful design work together from the start.
Contact: hello@buildwithsimon.com | 07943 677162
Matt Jenkinson: Full-Stack JavaScript Specialist
Website: matthewjenkinson.dev Email: contact@matthewjenkinson.dev Specialisms: React.js, Next.js, TypeScript, Full-Stack Development, E-commerce (Shopify), Node.js
Why hire Matt?
Matt is a Bristol-based full-stack developer who specialises in modern JavaScript applications. After 10 years in the music industry, he transitioned to web development and discovered a genuine passion for building clean, engaging web experiences.
For the past 3 years, Matt has worked as a full-stack developer across multiple e-commerce platforms, most notably for Toolstation - a major UK retailer with complex technical requirements and high traffic volumes. This experience has given him real-world expertise in building performant, scalable applications that handle serious user loads.
Technical stack:
Frontend:
- React.js & Next.js - His go-to frameworks for fast, SEO-friendly, user-focused applications
- TypeScript - Ensuring code quality and long-term maintainability
- Tailwind CSS - Creating beautiful, responsive interfaces efficiently
Backend:
- Node.js - Robust server-side applications and APIs
- GraphQL - Efficient data querying and management
- Docker - Containerised applications for consistent deployments
E-commerce:
- Shopify - Custom theme development, app integrations, headless commerce
Matt doesn't just write functional code - he writes clean, well-documented, maintainable code that other developers can work with. This matters enormously if you plan to scale your development team or need ongoing maintenance.
E-commerce expertise:
Working with Toolstation gave Matt deep experience in:
- Complex product catalogues with thousands of SKUs
- User account systems with order histories and preferences
- Secure payment gateway integrations
- Performance optimization for fast page loads
- Real-time inventory management
If you're launching an online store or rebuilding an existing one with modern technology, Matt has proven e-commerce experience at scale.
Best for: Businesses needing React/Next.js applications, modern e-commerce platforms (especially Shopify), or full-stack developers who value TypeScript and clean code practices.
Contact: contact@matthewjenkinson.dev
Bristol's Wider Web Development Talent
While bristol.dev members are our personally vetted picks, Bristol has other exceptional freelance developers worth knowing about. Here are three standout professionals we respect in the local scene.
Arron TP: Design-Driven Developer
Website: arrontp.co.uk Specialisms: Design-driven development, Performance, Accessibility, Web AR
Why Arron stands out:
Arron describes himself as a design-driven developer, which perfectly captures his unique position bridging design and code. With six years of experience across different roles in the design and web industry, he combines strong design sensibility with solid development skills.
His focus areas include:
- Performance - Building fast, optimised experiences
- Accessibility - Ensuring sites work for everyone
- Usability - Creating intuitive interfaces
- Good Design - Aesthetics that serve function
- User Experience - Thoughtful interaction design
Notable projects:
Arron has worked on diverse projects including:
- A 360 web-store for Alfie Templeman's virtual Minecraft festival
- Interactive Web Augmented Reality heritage experiences
- Various branding and web projects
Best for: Projects where design quality and technical implementation need to be equally strong, or experimental projects involving WebAR or interactive experiences.
Nick Lewis: Sustainable Web Development Specialist
Website: nicklewis.dev Specialisms: Sustainable web development, WordPress, Low-carbon websites, Performance optimization
Why Nick stands out:
Nick is a freelance sustainable web designer and developer who builds reliable, modern, WordPress-based web experiences with a focus on sustainability and performance. He's also a W3C Invited Expert (WSG), giving him deep expertise in web standards and best practices.
His unique approach:
Nick crafts lightweight, efficient websites that load with exceptional speed while actively reducing digital carbon footprints. This isn't just marketing - he genuinely focuses on:
- Low-carbon web development - Minimising environmental impact
- Performance optimization - Fast loading without sacrificing quality
- Efficient code - Lean, clean development practices
- Sustainable UX - Design that serves users and the planet
Best for: Purpose-driven businesses, startups, or any organization that values sustainability alongside performance. Perfect for WordPress projects where environmental impact matters.
What makes sustainable web development valuable:
Beyond the environmental benefits, sustainable web development practices typically result in:
- Faster loading times (better UX and SEO)
- Lower hosting costs (less data transfer)
- Better accessibility (simpler, cleaner code)
- Future-proof architecture (less technical debt)
Nick's approach delivers both environmental and business benefits - it's genuinely win-win.
Hannah King: Award-Winning Creative Developer
Website: hannahking.com Specialisms: Creative development, React Native, PWA development, Web performance
Why Hannah stands out:
Hannah is an award-winning freelance creative developer with over 20 years of web development experience. She won YunoJuno's Freelance Developer of the Year in 2019 and was shortlisted again in 2021 - recognition that speaks to both her technical skills and professional approach.
Technical expertise:
Hannah's technical range includes:
- React Native and PWA development for mobile apps
- Web performance optimization to reduce environmental impact
- Design and marketing services with background in both areas
Notable clients:
Hannah has worked with impressive clients including:
- COVID Symptom Study (ZOE & King's College)
- Legal & General
- Hugo & Cat
Best for: Projects requiring mobile app development (React Native), progressive web apps (PWAs), or complex web applications where performance is critical. Her 20+ years of experience means she's seen it all and knows how to navigate complex requirements.
What Makes Bristol Developers Different?
If you've read this far, you might notice some common threads running through Bristol's web development community.
They Care About Craft
Whether it's Simon's SEO-first thinking, Matt's clean code practices, Arron's design sensibility, Nick's sustainability focus, or Hannah's performance optimization - Bristol developers tend to care deeply about doing things properly, not just quickly.
This craftsmanship mindset shows in the work. You're not getting template solutions or cookie-cutter approaches. You're getting developers who genuinely think about the best way to solve your specific problem.
They Understand Design
Bristol's creative community means developers here work alongside designers regularly. They understand typography, visual hierarchy, colour theory, and user experience design - not just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
This matters because great websites require design and development working together, not in silos. Bristol developers get this instinctively.
They're Collaborative
Bristol's tech scene is genuinely collaborative. Developers here refer work to each other, share knowledge, and support peer success. When you hire one Bristol developer, you often gain access to their wider network of trusted collaborators.
This means if your project grows beyond one person's capacity or requires specialist skills they don't have, they can bring in trusted colleagues rather than leaving you to start the search again.
They Work Both Local and Remote
Bristol developers have been working with remote clients for years. They've refined their processes, communication styles, and tools to make distributed collaboration seamless.
Whether you're Bristol-based and want face-to-face kickoff meetings, or you're anywhere in the UK (or beyond) and need remote collaboration, Bristol developers handle both comfortably.
How to Choose the Right Developer for Your Project
With so much talent available, how do you make the right choice?
Match Skills to Project Needs
Start by understanding what your project actually requires:
Need a marketing website with CMS?
- Simon (Webflow/WordPress specialist)
- Nick (WordPress & sustainable approach)
Need a modern web application or e-commerce?
- Matt (React/Next.js & Shopify specialist)
- Hannah (React Native & PWA expert)
Need design and development combined?
- Arron (design-driven developer)
- Simon (design sensibility + development)
Need sustainable/low-carbon approach?
- Nick (sustainable web development specialist)
Need proven experience at scale?
- Matt (Toolstation e-commerce experience)
- Hannah (20+ years, enterprise clients)
Consider Their Process
Ask potential developers about:
- How they communicate (Slack, email, video calls?)
- How often they provide updates
- How they handle feedback and revisions
- What tools they use for project management
- How they estimate timelines and budgets
Bristol developers tend to be transparent about their processes, so don't hesitate to ask detailed questions before committing.
Check Their Values Align
Different developers prioritise different things:
- Some focus on cutting-edge technology
- Some prioritise accessibility and inclusivity
- Some emphasise performance and speed
- Some value sustainability and environmental impact
Make sure your developer's values align with your project goals. If SEO is critical, hire someone like Simon who builds it in from the start. If sustainability matters, Nick's approach makes sense. If you value modern best practices, Matt's TypeScript focus delivers that.
Talk to Them Directly
Portfolios and websites only tell you so much. Have a conversation. Ask about their approach to your specific type of project. See if their communication style works for you.
Freelancers generally offer direct communication with the person doing the work - take advantage of that by having a proper discussion before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Bristol freelance web developers charge?
Rates vary based on experience, specialism, and project complexity:
Day rates:
- Mid-level developers: £250-£400/day
- Senior developers: £400-£600/day
- Specialist/expert developers: £600+/day
Project rates:
- Simple brochure website: £1,500-£5,000
- Custom CMS website: £4,000-£12,000
- E-commerce store: £5,000-£20,000
- Custom web application: £10,000+
These are rough guides. Always get specific quotes for your project.
How long does a typical web project take?
Timelines depend on complexity and developer availability:
- Simple brochure website: 2-4 weeks
- Custom CMS website: 4-8 weeks
- E-commerce store: 6-12 weeks
- Complex web application: 12+ weeks
Good developers will give you realistic timelines during the scoping phase.
Can Bristol developers work remotely with UK-wide clients?
Absolutely. Bristol developers regularly work with clients across the UK and internationally. They're experienced with remote collaboration, video calls, project management tools, and asynchronous communication.
Many offer flexibility - kick off with face-to-face meetings if you're local, then continue remotely, or work entirely remotely if you prefer.
What's the hiring process like?
Typical process:
- Initial contact - Brief conversation about your project
- Discovery call - Detailed discussion of requirements
- Proposal - Developer provides timeline, approach, and quote
- Contract - Agree terms and sign contract
- Kickoff - Project begins with clear milestones
- Delivery - Regular updates and staged releases
- Launch - Final delivery and handover
Professional freelancers make this process straightforward and transparent.
What if my project needs multiple specialists?
Bristol developers often collaborate with trusted colleagues. If your project needs both design and development (or frontend and backend, or development and content), your developer can usually bring in collaborators they've worked with before.
Alternatively, bristol.dev members can work together as a team when projects require multiple disciplines.
How do I know if a developer is right for my project?
Look for:
- Relevant experience in similar projects
- Technical skills matching your requirements
- Communication style that works for you
- Process transparency about timelines and costs
- Values alignment with your project priorities
- Portfolio quality showing work you admire
Don't just go with the cheapest quote or the slickest portfolio. Find someone you trust and can communicate with easily.
Ready to Find Your Bristol Developer?
Bristol's web development scene offers exceptional talent with diverse specialisms. Whether you need SEO-first development, modern React applications, sustainable web solutions, or award-winning creative development, you'll find the right match here.
If you want our curated picks: Browse bristol.dev members or use our matchmaker service to find the right developer for your specific needs.
If you want to explore the wider Bristol scene: Connect with developers through Bristol Creative Industries, attend local tech meetups, or reach out directly to the developers mentioned in this guide.
Bristol has the talent. Now you know where to find them.
Looking for more guidance on hiring web developers? Read our article on Freelancer vs Agency: Which is Right for Your Web Project? or learn How to Write a Web Design Brief That Gets Results.