What Is a Portfolio Website and Why You Need It?

A portfolio website is the ultimate way to showcase your work and let others reach out for you. It is your bread and butter if you are a freelancer in whatever sphere.

There are lots of skilled professionals around. So how can your potential client understand you are a top-notch one? The only way is to leave everything behind for a while and start developing your online presence, because:

A portfolio website presents your professionalism and dedication to the craft better and more clearly than any CV. You don’t just tell, you show actual cases and examples which speak volumes. Moreover, owing to the portfolio website, you can show your mature and sophisticated approach to selling your work along with yourself.

Your portfolio is the only web-space where everything is up to you. You are able to create a never-seen-before platform with unique content and achieve a recognizable identity the way you imagine it. A private portfolio website lets your inner creator go far beyond any cliché.

An online portfolio is certain to make you available and searchable for new clients. It lets your potential employers find you the moment they get round to using a search engine or looking through candidates’ applications.

A portfolio published on the web humanizes you as a master of the craft. People come to you not only for you being an outstanding web designer, marketer or copywriter, but because they like you. You know, it’s a good psychological trick. Customers are more likely to choose those, who seem to be more decent, “likable”, friendly-looking than others. Whereas hard skills are often considered afterward.

How to Make Your Web Portfolio?

You must feel overwhelmed with all information about website platforms, purposes, peculiarities, etc. So, just get it out of your head. There’s nothing difficult, actually.

If you are a web designer or developer, you are already on top of the world. The only thing you need to do is to gather all your experiences together and start doing what you usually do for money: develop and design.

But if you’re not so lucky and didn’t catch a considerable stroke of good fortune, never mind. You should not be afraid of being unaware of the basics of developing a website from scratch.

Choose a website builder that seems most convenient, carefully follow the steps mentioned in this guide, and make your online portfolio for free!

There’s another important thing to mention, by the way. When planning to create your own portfolio, it’s crucial to begin with defining the purpose of it. What message do you want to deliver? Would you like to become closer to your clients or you just want to sell your services?

Are you ready to present the other side of your work including process, difficulties, and failures in the blog? Do you want to be hired and change your freelance existence for regular employment or plan to stay “a lone wolf”? Are you eager to introduce yourself to the entire world?

No matter, what your objectives are, always remember: it is compelling content that makes your online web portfolio remarkable and persuasive enough to make people respond.

What Should a Portfolio Website Have?

Showcase of your works. Show bright and appealing visuals that will convince visitors to look for more details. Take into account various ways to present your experience. Choose the most appropriate one and decide on your best works to add.

“About” page. Add your name, photo, and involve storytelling. Show your skills, views, and passions, but don’t pretend to be someone you are not. You may add the services you deliver or highlight them in a separate section.

Testimonials. All clients are passionate about other people’s reviews. That’s why assure your future customers you are trustworthy by giving them relevant feedback from your existing or former clients.

Case studies. Show your progress from the beginning to the final outcome. Let your visitors grasp the concept of your best works.

Call to action. Provide your visitors with a variety of ways to get in touch with you. You may add a contact form for people to define their requests.

Blog. Write about your insights and experiences. Introduce your personality, expertise, and knowledge in posts which will add value to your web portfolio and bring new visitors to the website.