About me

I'm Gábor Szalai — a freelance web developer who builds clean, template-free websites that actually perform.

Why have I committed to template-free, custom code?

When I started web development over 10 years ago, I quickly noticed a serious problem in the market: most websites are built from pre-fabricated templates and stacked-up plugins. These sites may look nice on the outside, but behind the scenes they are slow, vulnerable, and fall apart at the first serious business requirement because they cannot be freely shaped.

When I founded MonkeyDesign, I chose a completely different path.

With me, development always starts with clean, efficient source code.

I don't use heavy visual page builders (Elementor, Divi, etc.) because they bloat the site with unnecessary code, slow down loading times, and are harder to manage in the long run. Every project is first designed pixel-perfectly in Figma, then developed cleanly from scratch.

The result:

  • Outstanding performance and lightning-fast page loading
  • Exceptional SEO-friendly coding
  • Full freedom in implementing custom features
  • Easily maintainable, transparent code

Of course I'm not dogmatic: I also use WordPress and other CMS platforms (e.g. ConcreteCMS) where the project's business goals, the client's needs, or editability requirements make it the right choice. In those cases, however, I always work with premium, fully custom theme development.

What does working with me as a freelancer mean for you?

Direct communication, no runaround

You won't be talking to account managers or salespeople who don't understand the technology. You deal with me throughout. I know every single line of your project, so I answer your questions immediately and with expert eyes.

Fixed prices and kept deadlines

The era of runaway costs and months-long development slippages is over. After the discovery phase you receive a clearly written, fixed-price quote with a detailed task list. What I promise, I deliver.

Real technical depth

Many call themselves developers but get stuck when a custom API integration, a bespoke WordPress plugin, or a custom database modification is needed. For me there is no unsolvable technical challenge — if something doesn't exist yet, I build it.

Let's build something lasting together!

If you're tired of slow templates and are looking for a reliable technical partner who provides a stable backbone for your business long-term, let's give it a try. The first consultation is completely free and non-binding.

Let's kick off your project! →