Freelance
PHP Developer
I'm Paolo Certo — a PHP developer with over 25 years of experience building robust web applications, e-commerce solutions, and custom CMS platforms.
The developer behind the code
A developer who cares as much about solving the right problem as writing the right code.
Experience
I wrote my first web application in PHP back in October 2000. Over two decades, I've crafted hundreds of thousands of lines of code — and today my approach is cleaner, more structured, and driven by solid Object-Oriented principles within MVC frameworks.
Passion
As Confucius said: "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." Every new project is an intriguing challenge — a new world to explore, new people to meet, new problems to solve. Even the hardest ones are what make this work exciting.
Productivity
Great software starts with clear communication. Before writing a single line of code, I make sure we both understand exactly what we're building and why. When you know where you're going, you don't waste time on the wrong road.
Services & Expertise
From initial analysis to deployment and beyond — I cover the full lifecycle of web application development.
PHP Development
Custom backend development using PHP 8.x, built on clean MVC architecture with my own battle-tested X3CMS .
Web Applications
Full-featured web applications for any domain: billing platforms, membership systems, data management tools, APIs for mobile apps, and more.
E-Commerce
Custom e-commerce solutions tailored to your business — product management, cart, payment gateway integration, and order workflows.
CMS Websites
Professional websites powered by X3CMS — my own open source Content Management System — giving you full editorial control with no technical knowledge required.
Database Design
Efficient relational database architecture with MySQL — from schema design to complex queries and optimization for high-performance applications.
SaaS Projects
I design, build, and operate my own Software as a Service products — from architecture and backend to frontend and ongoing maintenance, fully managed in production.
Projects & Work
A selection of the work I'm most proud of — from personal open-source projects to client deliverables.
Software as a Service
Products I created and actively run in production
A stress-free weekly schedule builder for schools and teams. WeekTable makes it simple to create and maintain timetables, manage shifts, and share schedules — all from a clean, intuitive interface.
Naratui
Recurring group appointments, finally simple. Create your group once, set a recurring schedule, and let everyone confirm whether they're in — automatically, with no endless chat threads. A PWA with push notifications, free for all members.
SecretSSM
Scuole di Specializzazione in Medicina
A full-featured e-learning platform for medical students preparing for the SSM specialisation entrance exam. Built on X3CMS, it delivers on-demand video courses, a timed exam simulator, digital study manuals, and student progress tracking — serving thousands of students across Italy.
X3CMS
My flagship project — a powerful, flexible Content Management System built on top of a MVC framework. After 10+ years of continuous development, it lets me deliver complex web projects in weeks, not months.
Web Applications
Since 2000, I've delivered web applications across a wide range of industries — from utility billing platforms to company phone management systems, association portals, and much more.
- Billing & invoicing systems
- Membership & association portals
- Telecommunications management
- RESTful APIs for mobile apps
Websites & E-Commerce
Professional, responsive websites and online stores powered by X3CMS — scalable from a simple brochure site to a full-featured e-commerce platform as your business grows.
- Corporate & business websites
- Custom e-commerce solutions
- Multi-language support
- SEO-friendly architecture
Why I built my own CMS —
and why it matters
As a developer, time is my most precious resource. I needed a single solution flexible enough to meet virtually any client need — from a simple website to a complex, multi-lingual web application with custom APIs.
Off-the-shelf CMSes often lock you into their ecosystem. X3CMS, built on a MVC framework, gives me complete freedom: I can integrate external libraries, connect to remote databases, expose APIs, or add multilingual support — all without starting from scratch.
Learn about X3CMSLet's work together
Have a project in mind? I'd love to hear about it. Send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
09032 Assemini (CA), Italy
I'm open to new freelance projects and long-term collaborations. Let's discuss your requirements.