Robert Bethell: Home

Robert Bethell: About

Based in the North West, I am a freelance web developer with close to a decade of experience in creating and running successful websites. My clients range from start-up businesses to national scale, covering many different sectors.

With strong experience of the PHP programming language and database design, I have created many advanced scripts such as online booking calendars, full-scale forums and bespoke e-commerce sites. They have proven successful on websites receiving upto 10,000 visitors per day. I also place great importance on building accessible, functional and standards compliant websites with strong search engine optimization.

For more background information, please see the frequently asked questions article.

Latest Updates

April Round Up - Tuesday, 29th April 2008

April has been a busy month, with work on several projects and the end of a long term contract.
  • Harbour Guides is my newest featured client. We've made a lot of upgrades to the site this month - in the form of search engine optimization, layout and website standards compliancy.
  • I've updated the website of Liverpool-based silversmith Lisa Jane Forrester. There are several new photographs of her work which is definitely worth checking out.
  • In the coming weeks I will be providing e-commerce functionality for PortraitWorldUK. The company has been established by colleague Les Darlow, a talented artist and graphics designer.
  • Finally, my long term contract with Lealta Benefits has come to an end after a year. During the last month I created the following systems for them:
    • Microsoft Excel to Google Maps Script - Created for a subsidiary company, Travel TV, this system allows the user to upload a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet of their customer locations across the country - niftily converting all postcodes into co-ordinates and then instantly generating a country-scale map, complete with all fields from the spreadsheet.
    • Distance from Postcode Calculator - For the Lealta Benefits website, this script allows the user to enter their postcode and then returns results of businesses close to their area complete with distances.

      Travel TV MapPostcode Distance Calculator

Premier Fire Solutions Agreement - Thursday, 24th April 2008

Premier Fire SolutionsI have reached an agreement with Blackpool based Premier Fire Solutions to develop a web-based management system for their company.

The system will allow their engineers, located across the country, to easily access customer and job information independently. The system will increase communication and service levels, helping to maximize profitability.

Work on the project begins next month.

Harbour Guides - Friday, 21st March 2008

Harbour GuidesI'm delighted to announce the acquisition of Harbour Guides as my newest client.

Harbour Guides provides detailed information on Harbours throughout the UK and is about to expand into Europe.

We've recently worked together to transfer the site onto a new server, and are now in the process of converting the website code from ASP to PHP so we can begin to add more useful features. We will also be concentrating on search engine optimisation to help boost the site's rankings and attract more visitors.

Welcoming New Clients.. - Wednesday, 13th February 2008

Over the past month I've developed two new websites, in very diverse fields as ever!

Firstly, I've created a portfolio site for Lisa Jane Forrester, a silversmith based in Liverpool. Lisa has produced some great looking silverware - be sure to visit her site to see for yourself.

Secondly, I've developed a bespoke e-commerce website named Gun Dog Kit, who specialise in all sorts of clothing and equipment for gun dogs and their owners. This was the first time I've used Protx as a payment provider. It was a strong system to develop with and allowed the client powerful control of their transactions.

For more information on the above clients and how I created their websites, please visit the clients section.

Website Redesign - Wednesday, 13th February 2008

Welcome to what is now the third version of my portfolio site. My skills have progressed quickly in the last year, so updating my own website to reflect that was important!

The site features a new layout, more accessibility options, improved Google and Search Engine Optimisation, updated information and a Frequently Asked Questions article.

I will be making a concerted effort to update the site more regularly this year.

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