About
Hi, I'm River, and I'll build your site personally.
I'm a Minneapolis-based freelance web developer who works with small businesses, startups, and creators who want a site that looks sharp and actually pulls in customers, without the agency runaround or the page builder headaches.
No hand-offs to a junior, no account manager relaying messages. When you hire me, you talk to the person writing the code, from the first email to launch day and beyond. I take on a small number of projects at a time so each one gets real attention.
Honestly, the part I love most is the moment a client sees their new site for the first time and it just feels like them. That's the whole reason I do this, and it's what riverbuilds.dev is built around.
River
Founder & developer, riverbuilds.dev
How I work
A few things I believe in.
The principles behind every project I take on.
Outcomes over effects
A site should earn its keep: bookings, sales, signups. Flashy animations that don't serve that goal don't make the cut.
Plain-English updates
You'll never be left guessing. I explain what I'm doing and why, without burying it in jargon.
Craft you can't fake
Hand-written code means faster sites, cleaner handoffs, and something that's genuinely easy to maintain later.
Fast, always
Performance isn't an afterthought. Every build is tuned to load quickly and score well out of the box.
Accessible to everyone
I build so real people, including those using assistive tech, can actually use your site. It's the right call, and it helps SEO.
No lock-in
Your code, content, domain, and accounts stay in your name. Leave whenever you like, though I hope you won't want to.
The toolkit
Modern tools, chosen on purpose.
I pick the right tool for your project, not whatever's trendy. Here's what I reach for most.
Front-end
Semantic HTML, modern CSS, JavaScript, and React or similar frameworks when a project calls for interactivity.
Back-end & data
APIs, databases, authentication, and full-stack app logic for tools that need to do more than sit still.
Design
Custom layouts and design systems built for your brand, with typography, color, and interaction that feel intentional.
Deploy & performance
Modern hosting, CDNs, and Core Web Vitals tuning so your site is fast, reliable, and easy to keep online.
Let's talk
Let's build something you're proud of.
Tell me about your project and I'll get back to you within a day or two with next steps and a rough estimate.
Start a project