Visual artists, web designers and developers, content creators, craftspeople, musicians, photographers, videographers, architects, and engineers have one thing in common. They typically want to present their work to potential clients in the best possible light. However, creating good portfolio websites is not as easy as it might seem. Besides, there’s more to a web portfolio than the content it hosts. It also needs to attract the right audience. So, what does it take to create cool portfolio websites?
Table Of Contents
Find Inspiration
The perfect starting point is to go through different portfolio website examples, not just from your industry but others as well. As you explore different websites, keep an eye out for elements that catch your attention. These could be navigation, content, and layouts, as well as typography and colors. The idea behind this exercise is to get ideas you find interesting and wish to replicate or improve.
After you narrow down on a list of the portfolio websites you like the best, look at what they have in common. For example, do you prefer single scrollable page websites that present concise overviews, are do the ones you favor come with multiple pages dedicated to separate sections? While looking for ideas, don’t forget to look at how the top portfolio websites structure and present their content, as well as the sections they use.
With ideas in mind, create a rough sketch of what you want from your website. All you need to begin with is a simple layout of your homepage, how you wish to organize your projects, and the other pages you want to include. The details can come later. Once you do this, you can visualize what your portfolio will look like before the design process gets underway.
Look At What’s Common in the Best Portfolio Websites
The best web portfolios serve varied purposes, be it landing gigs, attracting clients, or showcasing creativity. However, not all web portfolios are equally good, and some look amateurish. The good thing is that you can learn a great deal by looking at the common portfolio website design traits that the best in the business share.
Clear Purpose and Audience
The best portfolio website designs aren’t just a jumble of projects. They serve a distinct purpose. For example, are you seeking freelance work, showcasing a specific skill set, or building a personal brand? This clarity informs every design decision. Similarly, the best portfolio websites cater to their target audiences. For instance, a portfolio aimed at tech startups will differ drastically from one targeting art galleries.
Striking Visual Hierarchy and Design
Most of the popular portfolio websites embrace simplicity and visual hierarchy. They tend to have:
- Clean and modern designs with ample white space, consistent typography, and a cohesive color palette.
- A logical flow that guides viewers through your work with clear sections and visual cues.
- High-quality imagery in the form of professional photos, crisp graphics, and well-presented project mockups.
Compelling Project Presentations
Simply displaying your work in an online portfolio is not enough. If you look at the top web portfolio examples, you’ll notice that each project comes with a story. More often than not, they include:
- Context. Explain the project’s goals, challenges, and your role.
- Process. Showcase your thought process, sketches, and iterations.
- Results. Quantify your impact with data or testimonials.
- High-quality visuals. Highlight the project with well-designed images and videos.
Intuitive Navigation and User Experience
The coolest portfolio websites prioritize user experience (UX) and are easy to navigate. In this day and age, one cannot emphasize enough about the importance of UX in web design because the modern-day consumer knows how to discern the good from the mediocre and bad. To address these aspects, you need to:
- Make it easy for visitors to find your contact information.
- Optimize code and images for quick loading.
- Ensure your portfolio uses responsive web design.
- Use simple menus and logical page structures.
Optimized for Search Engines
Search engine optimization (SEO) refers to the process of optimizing a website’s content to rank well on search engine results pages (SERPs). The higher a webpage ranks for a particular keyword, the higher it appears when a user carries out a relevant online search. Not surprisingly, the best portfolio website design companies pay due attention to this aspect. Some portfolio websites that cater to audiences from specific geographical locations benefit from local SEO as well.
A Strong About Me Section
Your portfolio is more than just a collection of projects; it’s a reflection of you. The “About Me” section is your place to shine. Here, you should:
- Share your passion, personality, and unique story, while remaining authentic.
- Highlight your skills, experience, and expertise.
- Keep it concise and engaging.
Effective Calls to Action
You must not leave visitors to your website wondering what to do next. The best portfolio websites include clear calls to action (CTAs) guiding users toward performing desired actions. Some common examples include:
- Get a Free Consultation
- Contact Me for a Project
- View My LinkedIn Profile
- Schedule an Interview
- Let’s Collaborate
- Watch the Demo
- Let’s Talk
- Send Me a Message
Consistent Updates and Maintenance
The best web portfolios go through regular updates, listing new projects, skills, and information. This shows you’re actively engaged in your field and committed to growth. Remember that a stagnant portfolio can serve as a red flag.
Build Your Brand
It’s not just big businesses that benefit from branding. Whether you’re an author, fashion designer, or photographer, building your personal brand helps you distinguish yourself from your competition. Doing this requires:
- Discovering your unique selling proposition (USP).
- Developing your tone and voice.
- Creating a consistent visual identity.
- Building your online presence.
- Developing your brand messaging.
- Seeking opportunities and collaborating.
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Identify Your Niche
Before you begin to promote your portfolio website, you must identify the niche you want to cater to. For example, you might be a fashion designer who designs specifically for teenagers or a photographer who specializes in portraits. By selecting a niche, you already stand out from a whole bunch of generalists.
Promote Your Portfolio
Once you’ve identified your niche, you need to market your portfolio on platforms that your target audience favors the most. These could be LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X. You may use email marketing to promote your portfolios to possible clients. Turning to paid ads is also an option.
If you feel that you’re unable to promote your portfolio effectively because of the lack of time or expertise, using the services of a digital marketing agency might work well for you.
Conclusion
Having looked at what the best portfolio websites have in common, you should know by now that creating one to deliver desired results takes time, effort, and technical knowledge. If you find yourself short on any front, it’s best to partner with a web design agency that specializes in creating portfolios. This way, you get a professional web portfolio without doing any of the heavy lifting on your own.
