Database & Backend Development
TL;DRDatabase and backend development covers schemas, queries, migrations, and APIs that hold up in production - PostgreSQL, Supabase, or MongoDB with Prisma or native drivers, plus real-time when needed. For teams whose data layer is slow, messy, or being designed properly the first time. Remote, $25–57/hr, reply within 24–48 hours.
Database and backend development is the design and implementation of schemas, queries, migrations, and APIs so application data stays correct, secure, and fast under load.
I design schemas, queries, and integrations that hold up in production - Supabase, MongoDB, or PostgreSQL, with Prisma or native drivers, and real-time when you need it. Remote, $25–57/hr, first reply within 24–48 hours.
$25–57/hr · UK-based, remote-first · replies in 24–48 hours
- 4+
- years in production
- 3
- core databases
- 24–48h
- reply time
clear boundaries → cheap changes
What you get
Schemas that hold up
Normalised, indexed data models with constraints and migrations - so the database stays trustworthy as the app grows.
Queries that scale
Indexed, profiled queries that stay fast under real load - no surprise table scans in production.
Secure by default
Row-Level Security on Supabase, parameterised queries, and least-privilege access so data stays protected.
Real-time when needed
Live subscriptions and change streams for dashboards, chat, and collaborative features.
What database & backend work covers
This is the data layer and the API on top of it: the schema, the queries, the migrations, and the endpoints your frontend (or another service) calls. I work with PostgreSQL and Supabase for relational data and MongoDB for document data, using Prisma or native drivers depending on the project.
Good backend work is mostly about getting the model right and keeping it correct over time - constraints, transactions, and migrations that do not lose data - plus queries that stay fast as the table grows.
- Schema design, indexing, and safe migrations
- PostgreSQL, Supabase, MongoDB - Prisma or native
- REST/GraphQL APIs with validation and auth
- Row-Level Security and least-privilege access
How I work
I start from your data and access patterns, model the schema, then build the API around it. Migrations are reversible and reviewed; queries are profiled, not guessed.
You get a documented schema and API your team can build on, with the reasoning behind the model written down - not locked in my head.
Who this is for
- Teams whose database has become slow or unreliable
- Products needing a new schema and API designed properly the first time
- Founders on Supabase/Postgres who need RLS and real-time done right
- Frontend teams that need a backend partner for the data layer
Not the right fit if…
- - You need large-scale data engineering or analytics pipelines
- - You need a dedicated DBA for a massive existing estate
- - The work is pure infrastructure/DevOps with no app data layer
How it works
Send your goal, timeline, scope, and budget via the contact form or email.
I reply within 24–48 hours. If it is a fit, we schedule a short call.
We agree on scope, milestones, and timeline, then start with clear, regular updates.
You get production-ready code, reviewed and tested, refined on your feedback.
How this compares
A quick read on when database & backend is the right call versus common alternatives.
| Dimension | Backend specialist | Generic fullstack dabbling | Enterprise DBA-only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | App schemas, APIs, RLS, real-time | UI-first; data model often an afterthought | Ops/estate focus; less product API craft |
| Databases | Postgres, Supabase, MongoDB + Prisma/native | Whatever the tutorial used | Usually one vendor estate |
| Performance | Profiled queries, indexes, safe migrations | Fixes when production burns | Tuning without product context |
| Engagement | $25–57/hr; start after 24–48h reply | Bundled into a larger build | Retainer / long procurement |
Frequently asked questions
Which databases do you work with?
PostgreSQL and Supabase for relational data, and MongoDB for document data. I use Prisma or native drivers depending on what fits the project best.
Can you fix a slow or messy existing database?
Yes. I profile the slow queries, add the right indexes, fix the schema where needed, and write safe migrations so nothing is lost in the process.
Do you handle real-time data?
Yes - Supabase real-time subscriptions, MongoDB change streams, or a WebSocket layer for live dashboards and collaborative features.
What are your rates and availability?
$25–57/hr depending on scope, UK-based and remote, replies within 24–48 hours.
What is database and backend development?
Database and backend development is the data layer and the API on top of it: schema design, indexing, migrations, validation, auth, and REST/GraphQL endpoints. I work with PostgreSQL, Supabase, and MongoDB - Prisma or native - remotely at $25–57/hr, with a first reply within 24–48 hours.
Related reading
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