Mladen Gorchev
Front-End Developer & Shopify Specialist
About
Front-end developer with over 10 years of experience building and shipping production websites, ecommerce platforms, and marketing sites. Specialised in Shopify (Liquid, Storefront API, AJAX API, GraphQL), WordPress (custom themes, Gutenberg blocks), React, and front-end performance and accessibility (WCAG). Experienced working in agency, in-house, and freelance environments alongside design, marketing, and product teams. Strong track record of third-party API integrations, technical SEO, CI/CD workflows, and delivering scalable, maintainable solutions.
Technical Skills
Shopify & Ecommerce
Front-End
Integrations & Tooling
Design (Background)
- Shopify
- Liquid
- Storefront API
- AJAX API
- GraphQL
- Shopify CLI
- Custom Themes
- CRO & A/B Testing
- HTML5
- CSS3
- SCSS/SASS
- JavaScript (ES6+)
- React
- Flutter (Dart)
- Tailwind CSS
- WordPress
- Gutenberg
- Accessibility (WCAG)
- Performance Optimisation
- Technical SEO
- REST APIs
- Contentful
- Netlify
- Stripe
- Git
- GitHub
- CI/CD (GitHub Actions)
- NPM
- Google Search Console
- Claude Code
- Copilot
- Figma
- Sketch
- Balsamiq
- Adobe XD
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- After Effects
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- Information Architecture
Experience
Shopify Developer
Freelance
Independent Shopify development alongside my full-time role, delivering ecommerce builds, technical SEO, and performance work for clients.
- Lavender Hill Clothing — SEO and performance audit identifying 56,500 duplicate pages and 233,000 unindexed pages; implementing hreflang fixes, canonical tag audit, and mobile performance optimisation (score 59 → 75+ target)
- OBD2EU — full Shopify ecommerce build with custom theme, product integrations, and responsive front-end
- Bosque Plants — Shopify storefront with custom theme and conversion-focused UX
Front-End Developer & UX/UI Designer
Propertybox / FocalAgent
Responsible for end-to-end front-end development and web design across WordPress sites, a React web app, and Flutter mobile applications. Combined technical implementation with visual design and UX thinking.
- Designed and built Vixel video platform with React implementation, full visual design, and UX/UI decisions
- Developed design systems, component libraries, and documentation for consistency across products
- Designed and built bespoke WordPress sites with custom themes, Gutenberg blocks, and full visual design
- Built a Stripe-integrated signup flow as a custom Gutenberg block, combining PHP and JavaScript
- Applied SEO best practices and performance optimisation across all digital properties
- Led UX redesign of Estate Agent Hub with user research, wireframes, and high-fidelity prototypes
- Managed CI/CD workflows, hosting, DNS, SSL, and deployment for all web properties
Shopify Developer & UX/UI Designer
WeMakeWebsites Agency
Agency role delivering bespoke e-commerce websites for high-profile brands. Complete design-to-build workflow from initial research through final implementation.
- Implemented bespoke Shopify themes using Liquid, HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript
- Designed responsive Shopify storefronts with focus on conversion-oriented UX patterns
- Delivered conversion-focused UX patterns and A/B testing support across client projects
- Integrated Contentful (headless CMS) and Netlify for content management and deployment workflows
- Created wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity visual designs in Sketch and Figma
- Worked directly with clients as key point of contact throughout projects
- Notable clients: Kitri Studio, Penguin Books, Hummingbird Bakery, Lavender Hill Clothing
Full Stack Developer
CAD2B Ltd.
- Designed and built company website, CMS, blog, and forum from scratch using Ruby on Rails
- Integrated Google Maps API, Analytics, and MailChimp email templates
- Managed hosting, SSL, and server configuration on DigitalOcean
Front-End Developer
Fathom Group
- Converted designer mockups into responsive HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript in .NET environments
- Built Ruby on Rails systems including jobs boards, blogs, and CMS platforms
- Collaborated with designers to preserve UX intent in implementations
UI/UX Designer & Developer
Camplight
- Designed user interfaces for web and iOS/Android applications
- Produced wireframes, user flows, and high-fidelity mockups for stakeholder review
Earlier roles:
- UX/UI Designer — Media Sand-Box Ltd. (March 2012 – December 2012)
- Front-End Developer — Alkuvoima East (August 2011 – January 2012)
- Graphic & UX/UI Designer — GNET Ltd. (June 2011 – August 2011)
Let's work together
Interested in collaborating? I'm currently open to freelance projects and full-time opportunities.