JOB Application strategy:

Part-time Web Developer – Wirral, North West UK

Want to stand out when applying for this Part-time Web Developer role? Here’s your game plan — the employer’s real priorities, the keywords that beat the filters, and the interview moves that land offers.

Summary

The employer is hiring a part-time (2 days/week) on-site Web Developer to own and maintain their main WordPress website and several campaign microsites. The role focuses on practical, lead-generating web work: performance, technical SEO, landing pages, basic integrations (CRM/forms/tracking), security, and conversion improvements. Pay is £15/hour; the employer requests direct applicants (no agencies or freelancers).

What This Job Ad Really Means

They want a pragmatic, independent operator who can manage multiple WordPress sites end-to-end rather than just do visual design. "Take ownership" and "real influence" means you will be expected to make technical and product decisions and deliver results with limited supervision. "Flexible days" implies some scheduling leeway but the role is explicitly on-site, so remote work is unlikely. The "no agencies or freelancers" line indicates they prefer a direct hire or very limited contractor relationships. The £15/hr rate and 2 days/week suggests this is a part-time role rather than a salaried position with benefits.

What They Likely Expect

  • Maintain, update and secure the main WordPress site and multiple microsites
  • Build landing pages, forms and lightweight integrations with CRM/tracking tools
  • Implement technical SEO fixes and monitor SEO performance
  • Optimize site speed, UX and conversion funnels (A/B testing/analytics involvement)
  • Troubleshoot issues, apply security patches and perform performance tuning
  • Work independently, propose and run experiments, and report results to decision-makers
  • Be onsite for two agreed days each week and collaborate directly with the internal team

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Hourly pay (£15/hr) may be low for experienced web developers, especially for someone expected to cover backend, SEO, integrations and hosting tasks
  • On-site requirement plus only two days/week could limit flexibility or make coordination awkward
  • "Please no agencies or freelancers" may exclude contractors who could otherwise be a good fit
  • No clear statement of contract type, benefits, pension, or holiday pay
  • Vague seniority/experience expectations — could lead to scope creep if the employer expects more than the hourly rate implies
  • Long-term/ongoing wording but hourly rate and part-time hours could mean limited progression or unclear path to increased responsibility/pay

Questions Worth Asking

  • Is the role being offered as an employee position, a fixed-term contract, or a contractor engagement?
  • Are the two days per week fixed or fully flexible, and is any remote work permitted on other days?
  • Who will you report to and how are priorities/requests communicated?
  • What is the current tech stack (WordPress version, themes/plugins, hosting provider, PHP version)?
  • Is there a documented backlog or roadmap for the website work, and what are the top priorities for the first 3 months?
  • Will the employer provide access to analytics, A/B testing tools and necessary paid services, or should the developer supply their own?
  • Is there a budget for plugins, hosting improvements, or third-party integrations?
  • What security and backup responsibilities are expected and are any tools already in place?
  • Are there opportunities to increase hours, pay or responsibilities over time?

Suggested Response

Hello — I’m interested in the part-time Web Developer role. I have hands-on experience building and maintaining WordPress sites, solid HTML/CSS/JavaScript skills, experience with basic PHP, technical SEO and conversion-focused updates, plus integrations with CRMs and analytics. I’m available for two on-site days per week in the Wirral area. Could you confirm the contract type (employee vs contractor), whether remote work is allowed on other days, and the main priorities for the first few months? I can share examples of relevant sites and discuss availability for an interview.


Disclaimer: This analysis was generated by AI for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, career, or employment advice. All employer and agency identifying information has been removed. The original job listing is the intellectual property of its author. If you believe content on this page should be removed, please contact us.

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