My path into web development

My name is Justinas. I’ve been creating and maintaining websites for more than a decade. This post is a short introduction to my journey — how it started, how it evolved, and where I am today.

I grew up with computer games and a natural curiosity for technology. I built my first website in the early 2000s using a free website builder like Geocities, although I can’t remember exactly which one. It was a website for my Counter-Strike clan. I remember writing content, picking graphics, and connecting a free .tk domain. I wish I could find this website in web archives, but it’s probably gone forever.

Before I turned 18, I was active on forums and started writing blogs using services like MyOpera. Eventually, I bought my first domain and began learning the basics of DNS and hosting. Around 2012, I came across a forum post titled "How to install WordPress in 5 minutes". I downloaded WordPress, unzipped the files, uploaded them to a server, set up the database, and configured the credentials. Once the site was running, my journey with WordPress and web development truly began.

At first, I didn’t have much knowledge or experience in web development. So I started experimenting with WordPress themes and plugins. By then, WordPress was already one of the most popular content management systems, and its ecosystem opened my eyes to how much could be built without strong programming skills. It felt empowering: ideas could turn into working websites quickly.

I started freelancing and got my first clients, building websites for individuals and companies across different industries. ThemeForest became my go-to marketplace for premium themes and plugins, and I spent a lot of time searching for the best tools for each project. At the time, many websites still weren’t responsive, so delivering mobile-friendly sites using well-built WordPress themes created real value for clients at a reasonable cost.

Eventually, I began to notice the limitations of relying on pre-built themes and plugins. I couldn’t always achieve the results I wanted, and customization often felt like fighting against someone else’s decisions. With basic knowledge of HTML and CSS, I started tweaking themes. Performance was still an issue until I began developing custom themes from scratch. As I became more comfortable with JavaScript, PHP and WordPress development, I gained full control — both over how sites worked and how fast they loaded.

Later, I spent several years working at a startup that grew into one of the leading VPN companies. The website evolved from a relatively small project into a large, multi-language platform with a blog, extensive landing pages, and complex pricing logic. We built internal page builders used daily by content managers, and the site had to support rapid growth and constant change. Working closely with developers, designers, marketing, and QA teams taught me how web development works at scale — and how important collaboration, maintainability, and performance really are.

Over time, I also learned how to listen to clients, understand what they actually need — not just what they ask for — and recognize where I can provide the most value. This perspective shapes how I approach projects now, both technically and professionally.

Today, I continue working as a freelance web developer, specializing in websites built with custom WordPress themes. I work with designs provided by external designers, or create them myself when needed, always focusing on performance, clarity, and long-term maintainability.

This blog is my way of sharing what I’ve learned along the way — practical insights from building websites for years, from small personal projects to complex, content-heavy websites. I’ll write about WordPress, web development and the lessons that come from real-world experience. If you’re a developer interested in how things work under the hood, or a business looking for a website built thoughtfully and to last, you’re in the right place.