Hi, I’m Dick van der Heiden
I’m a backend Laravel developer and co-owner of Goedemiddag!, a tech agency focused on building web applications in Laravel. I’ve been developing web applications since floppy disks were a thing (yes, I'm old).
I've been working on projects for early-stage startups to well-established platforms. My role has evolved besides just writing code. Today, my work varies from engineering, product management, and business strategy.
Work
I'm involved from discovery to delivery. From discovering the problem, defining the technical direction, aligning stakeholders, supporting the development team, to making sure the solution remains maintainable. With my skills as a PHP backend developer and my experience using the Laravel framework, I ensure the build systems are maintainable and are a perfect fit for the clients. Besides building web applications on Laravel, I'm also a Laravel Certified Developer and founding member of the Dutch Laravel Foundation (with both my personal company and my agency).
My work involves:
- Building and designing the architecture of a wide range of web applications, from APIs to full-stack applications.
- Structuring projects by creating workflows that work for the team, but also creating clear development processes.
- Translating the business requirements of the stakeholders into technical solutions, proposals, or even user stories.
- Supporting teams in delivering both the technical and product vision, making sure the right things are built in the right way.
I’m genuinely interested in bridging the gap between technical execution (with the developers) and strategic decision-making (challenging stakeholders about the "actual problem" and the "real product value"), making sure developers and users stay aligned.
Open source
I actively contribute "open-source" packages by building and maintaining multiple packages. For example, a validation package for Laravel, package for fail-safe time handling, and several API integrations. I also maintain several packages used by other teams, for example, a package managing production servers. These packages allow me to learn, keep my knowledge up-to-date, and give back to the community.
Approach
My approach is pragmatic and is focused on the product so we build solutions that last while keeping the solution understandable and maintainable. I focus on real-world usage, not theoretical perfection. At the core, I'm all about creating software that works well for both the people using it and the people building/maintaining it.
Not just coding
As co-owner of a tech agency, I can't focus on code alone. With my urge to have clear processes and create an environment where developers thrive, I’m involved in project planning, process design, and guiding technical direction. I also share knowledge through my blog, whenever I find some spare time, where I write about Laravel, development practices, and technical problem-solving.
Work together
If you’re looking for a Laravel development team to build or maintain your Laravel application, visit Goedemiddag!, the agency I co-own. We take on projects where technical quality, a product mindset and clear communication actually matters.
Contact
If you’d like to connect or follow what I’m working on, you can find me here: