I can’t believe it’s been over 30 years that a friend, back in 1994, needed a website and I told her “Let me give it a try”. The rest is history.
Back then there were no stylesheets, no PHP, no javascript, no reponsive views or phones. It was pretty much basic html and that was it. Everything was coded by hand. PayPal didn’t even exist, the payment processor she used was CCNow.
One of my favorite things about this job is the ever changing technology. I’m endlessly curious, and I’m always learning something new. Every few years new tech comes along and everything shifts. I remember when Flash was big, and doing some really fun websites with Flash for Entertainment Industry Artists like Grammy winning producer Terence Dudley (the site was his studio, complete with pulsing speakers), and drummer Joey Heredia (the menu was the back of his car and the blinkers even worked).
The last 20+ years CMS platforms like WordPress and Joomla (originally Mambo) have become the standard building platforms for most websites, with Drupal being used for larger enterprise builds.
About 15 years ago SaaS & Hosted Builders like WIX, Squarespace,Weebly, and GoDaddy Builder started becoming more popular with the DIY set.
Then 10 years ago, a client of mine, decided to start up a Cloud Based Dive Shop POS. He initially brought me in to DiveShop 360 to work on the GUIs for the POS. Then he asked me to help design the new website component for the POS, and lead the team to build and implement the “Storefront” website component.
Over the last 8 years I continued leading the team, as well as designing and implementing the individual Storefront websites for hundreds of stores using DiveShop 360.
On June 1, 2026 a new chapter began. I’ve returned to my roots. I’m freelancing and I’m accepting new clients.
Whatever kind of site you have, or want to have. Whatever you need help with – Website Design and Development, Content Management/Website Management, Content Writing, Search Engine Optimization, Social Meda Marketing, AIO and GEO – Let’s talk.
Lydia Ann Payne