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HHans Martens Dev
About me

Freelance Astro Developer
& Web Designer

Building for the web since 2010. One person, fully committed to the work — from first conversation to final deploy.

What drives me

Design and code, for the love of it

Web design and development are my profession and my craft. I work with clients on custom websites, and alongside that I develop and share open source themes for the Astro community.

What draws me to this work is where design and technology meet. Getting that intersection right — making something that is both beautifully designed and technically solid — is what I find genuinely satisfying. That's why I keep doing it.

Standards

What I Care About

These aren't aspirations. They're the standards I hold every project to.

Fast, Findable, Accessible

Quick to load, easy to find, and open to everyone — the way every site should be.

Designed Around You

A design shaped around your content, your brand, and the people you want to reach.

Built to Last

A site that stays fast and easy to maintain for years, so it keeps earning its place long after launch.

Tools & Tech

My Stack

The tools I rely on every day to build fast, modern websites, chosen for performance and reliability.

Tools & Tech

My Stack

The tools I rely on every day to build fast, modern websites, chosen for performance and reliability.

Astro
Tailwind CSS
TypeScript
React
GitHub
Vercel
Claude
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Some of the questions I get asked most often.

About Astro

What is Astro?
Astro is a modern web framework built for content-driven sites. It ships zero JavaScript by default — only sending what the page actually needs. The result is fast load times, excellent Core Web Vitals scores, and lean, maintainable code.
Why do you build with Astro?
Because it matches the way I think about the web: lean, purposeful, and built to last. Astro lets me ship fast sites without fighting the framework — minimal JavaScript, clean HTML, great SEO — so I can focus on the design and details that actually matter.
Do you always build with Astro?
Almost always. For portfolios, business sites, marketing pages, and blogs, Astro is the right tool. If a project genuinely calls for something different, I'll be upfront about it. But Astro handles most of what clients need, and it does it exceptionally well.
Do you build Astro themes?
Yes. I built Astro Rocket — a free, production-ready theme listed on the official Astro themes directory. It includes a full component library, blog support, dark mode, SEO, and everything you need to launch a fast modern website without starting from scratch.
Do you plan to build more Astro themes?
Yes, that's the plan. Astro Rocket is actively maintained and I have ideas for new themes in the pipeline. Follow along on the blog or keep an eye on the official Astro themes directory for what's next.

About the work

Do you use AI when you build a website?
Yes — I work alongside Claude as a thinking partner throughout every project. Not as a shortcut, but as a second perspective that helps me think through design decisions, review code, and spot things I might otherwise miss.
Are you a company or agency?
No — I'm an independent freelance designer and developer. There's no sales team, no account manager, no handoff to a junior: you work directly with me from the first conversation to the final delivery. That's the advantage of hiring a freelancer who genuinely cares about the craft. Read more about my story.
How do you choose which projects to take on?
I look for projects where good design and solid execution actually matter to the client. I work best when there's a clear goal, an open line of communication, and a client who trusts the process. I'd rather take on fewer projects and do them properly than stretch across too many at once.
Do you offer support or maintenance after launch?
Yes. Whether it's small updates, content changes, or something more involved — I'm available after launch. We can agree on whatever arrangement works best for the project.
Do you work with clients outside the Netherlands?
Absolutely. I'm based in Veghel but work with clients worldwide. Most projects run entirely remote, which works well for clear briefs and good communication. Time zone differences are rarely a problem.
Backstory

The longer story

The professional picture is one thing. If you'd like to know who's actually behind the work — where I started, what drives me, and what I care about beyond websites — the full story is one click away.

Read the full story
Let's talk

Sound like a good fit?

If my background and approach match what you're looking for, I'm open to new projects. Let's have a conversation.

Start a Project