alison j bates
I am a Web Developer, and I like it.
Senior Web Developer
specializing in WordPress customization
About me
check it
Senior Full Stack Web Developer @ /makes-magic
As a programmer, I have over 20 years of experience specializing in website development. My particular expertise is in WordPress CMS customization, theme development, and custom plugin development. I have an extensive background in front-end programming (HTML, jQuery, CSS), back-end programming (PHP and MySQL), and database design and management.
I focus on the user experience, website architecture and organization, ease of content management, and the role of the website in the overall marketing plan. My goal is to provide real-life programming solutions using the latest web standards and practices.
I have worked with clientele with varying website needs, including small start-ups needing beautiful brochure websites, established retailers operating e-commerce shops, fully realized marketing departments, and non-profits seeking pro-bono support in various web endeavors. Although technically-minded, I pride myself on my ability to communicate easily, regardless of the technical levels of my clients.
- e-mail alison@makes-magic.com
- phone 971.270.0728
- website alisonjbates.info
- living Portland, OR
- LinkedIn /alisonjbates/
- Freelance Totally
Things I do
Puzzles
I have a quick eye, so the harder the better. My largest puzzle is 5,000 pieces, though I typically stick to the 1000 piece range. I also enjoy logic puzzles, which I do with my erasable pen.
Travel
You know what's amazing about my job? I can do it anywhere. In the past I've spent time in Spain, France, Portugal, Mexico, and over of the US. Where to next…
Soccer
I’m a Portland Timbers season ticket holder, and I have been known to wait in line overnight for a prime seat in the Timbers Army. Don’t even ask how long I waited when we hosted the 2021 MLS Cup!
Camping
I love a good campfire, and I can start one. I camp year round, sometimes in my car but mostly in a tent. Putting me in a good hammock mid-summer is perfection.
Testimonials
"I’m honored to recommend Alison, an incredibly talented Senior Web Developer who has been a game-changer for our team at Jama Software, as well as for previous mutual clients. Alison’s exceptional work has been instrumental in driving our Demand Generation, Digital Marketing, and Sales efforts forward. She’s not just a developer—she’s a tactical magician with a mastery of WordPress that I’ve never encountered in my 25 years in marketing. Her deep understanding of marketing stack integrations with the WordPress CMS allows her to deliver intuitive, elegant solutions that others simply cannot achieve. Alison excels at balancing technical and visual requirements, ensuring her solutions meet client needs while optimizing for usability and performance."
"Alison is one of the top people on my list of "Best Developers to work with ever". When LinkedIn gave me a list of things to check of about Alison's positive characteristics... I could check them all with confidence she fit the bill! Alison has done excellent works on projects we collaborated with, and every time we catch up and chat about other projects, she impresses me with some other project she is tackling. I highly recommend Alison. Her innovation, drive, and talent make her one of the most competent web developers I know of to date."
"I worked with Alison at LVD Media and she is spectacular! Not only does she have amazing skill as a programmer that produces great results, but she is fun to work with and very responsive. Alison can explain programming to both clients and staff in a manner the average person can understand, and she is very willing to help everyone learn about why and how she does what she does. Alison's communication is what I appreciate the most. She responds quickly, always keeps in contact with the staff about project progress, and makes sure clients and employees alike are happy with the results."
Resume
look what I can do
Experience
11.2013 - Current
Senior Web Developer, Marketing
Smarsh, Inc. Portland, OR
• Lead architecture, development, and ongoing evolution of the company’s WordPress marketing platform, ensuring scalability, security, and alignment with business and marketing strategy.
• Design and implement custom themes, plugins, and integrations that support marketing operations, automation, personalization, and data-driven initiatives.
• Architect structured content models and custom post types that enable content teams to publish independently while maintaining governance, accessibility, and brand consistency.
• Develop secure, maintainable back-end solutions using PHP and relational databases, applying modern coding standards, vulnerability remediation, and dependency management.
• Partner closely with designers, strategists, SEO specialists, and marketing operations teams to translate complex requirements into scalable, accessible digital experiences.
• Integrate CRM, automation, analytics, and personalization platforms through APIs and custom middleware to support campaign and data workflows.
• Optimize performance and technical SEO through caching strategies, structured data, and monitoring to improve speed, engagement, and discoverability.
• Establish structured development, testing, and release workflows across development, staging, and production environments to ensure stability and predictable deployments.
• Serve as a technical liaison with stakeholders and external partners, guiding architecture decisions, scoping solutions, and creating documentation and training that support long-term sustainability.
07.2012 - Current
Principal Web Developer / Owner
/makes-magic, Portland, OR
• Partner with design agencies, marketing teams, and client stakeholders to architect and deliver scalable WordPress platforms aligned with long-term organizational and marketing goals.
• Design and develop custom themes, plugins, and integrations with a focus on performance, security, accessibility, and maintainability.
• Architect structured content models and flexible content systems that empower editorial teams while maintaining governance and brand consistency.
• Lead discovery, technical scoping, and solution design, guiding clients through tradeoffs and aligning technology with business priorities.
• Integrate third-party platforms including payment systems, CRMs, marketing automation, analytics, and industry-specific APIs.
• Establish development workflows, version control, and release practices that support quality and sustainable platform evolution.
• Deliver documentation, training, and ongoing strategic guidance to enable clients to confidently manage and grow their digital platforms.
03.2011 - 07.2012
Director of Programming and Web Development
LVD Media, LLC, Portland, OR
• Led the development team in architecting and delivering custom WordPress and Drupal platforms, emphasizing scalability, performance, security, and long-term maintainability.
• Established technical standards, workflows, and best practices that improved code quality, consistency, and team efficiency.
• Collaborated with designers, strategists, and clients to translate business and user needs into scalable technical solutions.
• Oversaw full project lifecycles including discovery, architecture, development, and launch, ensuring alignment with accessibility, SEO, and content governance goals.
• Mentored developers through code reviews, technical guidance, and process improvements while managing budgets, timelines, and client relationships.
12.2006 - 07.2009
Software Engineer
General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, MI
• Developed and maintained internal and client-facing web applications and databases supporting corporate workflows and CMMI Level 5 process standards.
• Designed and implemented custom tools including survey platforms, employee skill tracking, project reporting, and peer review systems to improve operational efficiency and data visibility.
• Built role-based access, reporting dashboards, and export capabilities (Excel, PDF, data visualization) to support decision-making and compliance.
• Ensured application security, scalability, and usability through structured development, testing, user training, and documentation in a collaborative team environment.
Core Competencies
- Platform architecture
- WordPress development
- Structured content & governance
- Marketing & CRM integrations
- Accessibility & performance
- Security-conscious development
- Cross-functional collaboration
SKILLS
- WordPress Platform Development Custom theme & plugin development • Structured content modeling • Custom post types • Content governance • Scalable architecture
- Back-End & Systems Integrations PHP • MySQL • REST APIs • API integrations • Third-party systems (CRM, analytics, marketing automation, payment systems)
- Security, Performance & Accessibility Secure coding practices • Vulnerability remediation • Caching & performance optimization • Technical SEO • WCAG accessibility standards
- Front-End & UX Implementation HTML5 • CSS3 • JavaScript • jQuery • Responsive & cross-browser development
- Development Workflow & Collaboration Dev / stage environments • Agile/SCRUM • Discovery and technical scoping • Documentation • Client training and support
Education
2003
Bachelor of Science Communications/ Photography
Grand Valley State University2004
Graduate School of Art, Photography
Washington University in St. Louis2006
Certificate in Digital Arts: Web Design Certificate Program
College for Creative Studies2010
Associates in Small Business Management
Oakland Community CollegePortfolio
look what I've done
Smarsh — Enterprise Marketing Platform Architecture
Portland Housing Center — Long-Term Platform Partnership
Jama Software — WordPress Marketing Platform
Clean Bee — Brand, Design & WordPress Website
Midori Lashes & Skin Care — Brand, Design & Conversion Website
Focus Tradeshow Exhibits — Portfolio & Marketing Platform
Toshi Onizuka — Music Portfolio & Commerce Platform
Even Construction — Portfolio Website
Biokleen — E-commerce Platform & Systems Integrations
Arts People — Marketing & Content Website
Contact
get in touch
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