Designs that move.
Code that ships.
Web developer & designer based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario — serving Cambridge, Guelph, Toronto, and the GTA. Building immersive websites and digital experiences for founders and small teams.
Automatq
Miknar Machine Inc.
Amethyst Expedition
Zoltan Builds
Behind the Builds
Documenting what I build, what I break, and what I learn along the way — code, design decisions, agency life, and the occasional rabbit hole. New uploads dropping soon.
@chrisdbender
Build logs, project post-mortems, and what it actually looks like to ship — from client work to running an agency.
How It Works
Discovery
We dive deep into your brand, goals, and audience to define the perfect digital strategy.
Design
Crafting a unique visual identity and user experience that stands out from the noise.
Build
Developing with clean, efficient code to ensure performance and scalability.
Launch
Testing, optimizing, and deploying your site to the world.
Contracts & Payments
Every engagement is built on a clear written agreement and secure, traceable payments. No verbal handshakes, no sketchy e-transfers — just a clean paper trail both of us can stand behind.
Signed Contract
Before any code is written, we sign a written agreement covering scope, timeline, deliverables, revisions, and payment milestones. You know exactly what you're getting and when.
-
Clearly defined scope & deliverables -
Milestone-based timeline -
Revision policy in writing
Square Payments
All invoices are sent and processed through Square — bank-grade encryption, PCI compliant, and a receipt in your inbox the moment payment clears. No wires, no crypto, no awkward Venmo requests.
-
Secure card & bank payments -
Itemized invoices & receipts -
Milestone-based deposits
Where I Work
Based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario — working with founders and small businesses across Southern Ontario in person and remotely. Open to projects further afield, but local clients get the easiest collaboration.
Questions, Answered
Where are you based?
I'm based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. It's home base for both my personal practice and my agency, Automatq.
Do you work with Toronto and GTA clients?
Yes — Toronto, the GTA, Hamilton, and surrounding Southern Ontario are core service areas. We can meet in person when it helps, and most of the work happens remotely either way.
Can you work with clients outside of Ontario?
Absolutely. I work remotely with clients across Canada and internationally. Local clients get the easiest collaboration, but a clear scope and good async habits cover the rest.
How do contracts and payments work?
Every project starts with a signed written contract covering scope, timeline, deliverables, and milestones. All invoices are sent and processed securely through Square — bank-grade encryption, PCI compliant, with receipts in your inbox.
What kind of projects do you take on?
Marketing sites, small-business websites, founder portfolios, agency sites, and product landing pages. Modern stack — typically Next.js, React, and Tailwind — with a focus on clean code, considered design, and performance.
What's the difference between chrisdbender.com and Automatq?
This site is my personal portfolio — my work, my voice, my build logs. Automatq is my agency, where the team and I deliver productized web and AI automation services for businesses.
My Story
I'm a developer and designer based in Kitchener-Waterloo, dedicated to crafting immersive digital experiences. My work bridges the gap between creative code and functional design, focusing on performance, interaction, and clean aesthetics.
I work directly with founders and teams — no hand-offs, no middlemen, fast iteration from first call to launch. Every site is handcrafted: custom design, custom code, built to feel like yours and no one else's.