Ruben Bijker
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Software engineer for custom web applications

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A software engineer builds software that does real work for users: accounts, data, payments, workflows. I'm Ruben Bijker, an independent software engineer in Amsterdam who builds web applications. I design, build and run custom web applications for companies, from MVP to production platform.

What I build

  • Booking and commerce platforms. Amsterdam Boats is a canal cruise booking site built full stack with Next.js and Directus.
  • Consumer and community apps. Secret Santa is a gift-exchange app built with Svelte, Tailwind, Supabase and Vercel.
  • Business platforms. Yogalap was built full stack with Laravel, JavaScript and Angular.
  • Dashboards, internal tools and MVPs for companies that outgrew spreadsheets or off-the-shelf software.

When a custom web application is the right choice

Custom makes sense when your process is your competitive advantage, when off-the-shelf tools force awkward workarounds, or when you need to integrate several systems. If an existing SaaS product does the job, I will tell you so.

How I work

  1. Define the smallest useful version. We agree what the first release must do, and what waits.
  2. Design the flows. Key screens and user flows first, either by me or with your designer. See UX/UI design.
  3. Build in short cycles. Working increments you can click through, with automated checks and error tracking from the start.
  4. Launch, observe, improve. Hosting, monitoring and iteration after release, so the product keeps pace with real use.

Architecture you can live with

I choose boring, proven building blocks where possible and document decisions, so another developer can take over without a rewrite. AI does a large share of the typing; the architecture, security choices and review stay with me. See TypeScript in web projects for how I keep code safe to change.

Related reading

Examples of my work

Frequently asked questions

What is a web application, and how is it different from a website?
A website mainly shows information. A web application lets users do things: log in, book, pay, manage data, or collaborate. It has accounts, a database and business logic behind the screen.
How long does it take to build a custom web application?
A focused first version (an MVP) typically takes weeks to a few months, depending on scope. A clear scope, a short feedback loop and an early launch matter more for the timeline than the number of developers.
Can you build an MVP for my startup or internal tool?
Yes. I help you cut the idea down to what must exist on day one, build that well, and structure the code so it can grow instead of being rewritten.
Who owns the code and the data?
You do. The code lives in your repository, hosting runs in your accounts where possible, and I document how everything works so you are never locked in to me.
What technologies do you use for web applications?
Typically Next.js or Svelte on the front end, with Laravel, Python, Directus or Supabase on the back end, hosted on Vercel or a self-managed server. The choice follows your requirements and your team.

Have a project in mind?

Tell me briefly what you need. You get an answer from me, not from a sales team.

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