Custom Web Development & Architecture
Billy McDaniel has been building websites professionally since the late 1990s under the name Downeast Design. His work focuses on fully custom website development, backend system design, and long term maintainability.
Every project is built from raw code using PHP, MySQL, HTML, and CSS. He does not use WordPress, page builders, template kits, or pre-packaged site frameworks. This is a deliberate decision based on creative philosophy and long term reliability. Building from scratch allows complete control over structure, performance, security, and future expansion without being constrained by third party abstractions.
Custom Tailored Websites
Billy designs and develops websites from the ground up, handling both visual layout and backend implementation. Projects may begin from reference material, client interviews, or a blank canvas, but the final system is always custom engineered to match the specific goals of the business.
His approach favors clean, readable code and minimal dependencies. Responsive design is considered standard practice, and performance is prioritized over trend driven effects. The result is a website that is stable, understandable, and maintainable long after launch.
Private CMS and Dashboard Systems
In addition to public facing websites, Billy develops custom CMS and private dashboard systems for authenticated users and internal teams. These systems are designed for known, trusted users rather than anonymous public interaction.
Emphasis is placed on structured database design, data integrity, and predictable workflows. He builds relational schemas in MySQL, manages CSV and JSON data imports when needed, and uses controlled routing with .htaccess to keep backend implementation secure and organized.
Website Reconstruction and Modernization
Many projects involve rebuilding aging or legacy websites that have accumulated technical debt over time. Billy specializes in extracting the functional intent of older systems and reconstructing them with modern, maintainable architecture.
This includes upgrading outdated PHP environments, improving responsive behavior, reorganizing backend logic, and carefully migrating data without disrupting live operations. The goal is not cosmetic replacement, but structural improvement.
Across all projects, the guiding principle remains consistent: build systems that are clear, stable, and fully understood by the developer who maintains them.
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