Jake Trapp - About Me

Holding gus up

I am a developer with a passion for solving complex problems in and around the Craft CMS ecosystem. I specialize in building custom websites and web solutions for teams that have requirements basic website builders can’t solve. 

I am especially interested in making websites that are functional, built to show up in search engines and AI results, and designed to convert the people who come to the site. To me, a good website is not just something that looks nice. It should serve a real purpose, supports the business behind it, and is built to be used by real people.

What I Do

In the simplest terms possible, I solve technical problems that a business doesn't want to have to deal with. I specifically focus in and around teams that work with Craft CMS websites. I fit best with businesses, agencies, or internal teams that already know they need something more custom than a basic page builder can provide. 
For more information on the different tools I specialize in to solve your companies problems see the services I provide.

How I Work

I am communication-focused. In order to find the best solution to a problem, I need to fully understand it and weigh the pros and cons of different approaches. Communication from the start of a project to the end is a must if I am going to deliver the best possible solution.

I try to make technical decisions in a practical way. Not every problem needs the most complicated solution, and not every feature needs to be built the same way. My goal is to understand what the project actually needs, explain the options clearly, and build something that works well both now and later. 

Experience

I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. My love for computer science stems from my love of problem-solving and mathematics. I have been working professionally for over three years and have been exposed to a variety of technologies, projects, and problems.

With two years of Craft CMS-specific focus, I have learned the ins and outs of the framework and what it is capable of. I enjoy working with Craft because it gives developers the flexibility to build custom solutions while still giving content teams a clean and manageable editing experience. There are not many web problems that cannot be solved with Craft when it is set up the right way.

In Craft, I have worked on everything from minor updates and major version upgrades to complete rewrites, WordPress migrations, and custom features like auctions, subscriptions, paywalls, and AI implementations.

My Taste in Good Websites

Ask 10 different people what makes a good website and you would probably get 10 different answers. For me, I consider a good website to be something that meets the specific goal of the person or business that put that page up.

Whether the goal is to communicate information to an audience, sell a product, generate leads, or support an existing customer base, every page should have a specific purpose and be built around that purpose. Apart from that, there are basic technical aspects that I prioritize, and most of them can be boiled down to giving the user the best experience possible.

A good website should be easy to use, easy to understand, fast, search-friendly, and built in a way that can grow over time. A lot of sites have fluff that adds no real value. I focus on the things that actually move the needle.

Outside the Work

As much as I love my job and my career, the things I enjoy outside of work are completely different. To take a break from my computer, I enjoy weightlifting, fishing, hunting, and mountain biking.

I like having things outside of development that keep me active and away from screens. It helps me reset, think clearly, and come back to work with more energy so I don't burn out. 

Work with me

If you have a problem that needs to be solved, I'd be happy to hear about it. Contact me with some basic details and we can set up a meeting to discuss the best solution for you.