Did you know? A professional portfolio is different from a resume. Each page should tell a story and reinforce the message you want to convey. It’s an opportunity to showcase your best work, outline your strengths, and build a narrative around your business.
Depending on your needs, you can either create a portfolio website or use a third-party platform to publish your work. The advantage of setting up a website is that you’ll have full control over the look and feel of your portfolio. On top of that, some website builders offer free portfolio templates that can be customized with just a few clicks.
Wondering how to create an online portfolio that gets results? The key is to highlight your unique selling proposition (USP) clearly and compellingly. Your USP should align with your customers’ needs and make a memorable impression. So are you ready to give it a try? Follow these steps to create a stunning portfolio that speaks for itself.
Use the Right Tools to Build Your Portfolio
As mentioned above, there are two ways to create an online portfolio. One option is to set up a portfolio website with one or more pages, depending on your goals.
If you want to keep it simple, build a one-page website with multiple sub-headings, such as About, Gallery/Work, and Contact. You may also add links to your social media pages and other platforms where potential clients can see your work.
For example, Israeli actor and speaker Lior Raz built his portfolio website with Wix. The site has five sections—About, Gallery, Press, Instagram, Speaking, and Contact—on one page. Visitors can enlarge the relevant section to see it in detail by accessing the menu in the header or clicking a plus button.
Other professionals prefer multi-page websites, which may include additional sections. For instance, you can set up a Services page and allow customers to order and pay online. If, say, you’re a wedding photographer, you can give them the option to book your services and pay upfront. If you’re a copywriter, you can sell service packages, such as monthly retainers.
Another option is to showcase your work on Behance, Skyword, or similar platforms, but you must stick to a specific format. Such platforms have limited features, so it’s best to use them along with a portfolio website, not as a standalone tool.
Draw Inspiration from Multiple Sources
Your online portfolio can be as simple or as creative as you want it to be, and there are endless ways to go about it. That’s why it’s important to determine what you like and dislike before getting started.
First, look up other professionals in your niche. Check out their portfolios, take notes, and decide on the must-have features you want or need. Let’s see a few examples:
- A minimalist black-and-white color scheme
- Fully responsive design
- Parallax scroll effects
- Horizontal carousel slider
- Infinity portfolio list
- Fixed/boxed/extended header
- Integrated search
- Video background
- Trigger-based animations
- Image hover effects
Next, study their bios, work samples, and how they present themselves. For example, some copywriters use a playful tone, while others have a more formal style.
You’ll also want to see who their clients are, how they market their work, and what information they include in their portfolios. Try to figure out what sets them apart, what they do well, and what you could do better.
Choose a Portfolio Template That Reflects Your Brand
If you decide to create a portfolio site, use pre-built templates to save time and effort. With this option, you won’t have to write a single line of code. Plus, you can choose a fully customizable template and make it look unique.
First, sign up with Wix or other website builders offering free portfolio templates. Consider your business size, services, target audience, niche, and long-term goals, and then select a template that ticks all the boxes.
Let’s say you’re a graphic designer specializing in branding, typography, and advertising. In this case, use a highly visual portfolio template with creative features like page flipping or parallax scroll effects.
If you’re a copywriter, look for portfolio templates with a clean and minimalist design to ensure your content takes center stage. Ideally, pick one with blogging features like custom typography, multiple post formats, flexible page columns, and unlimited categories. Most importantly, choose a portfolio template that reflects your personal brand. Customers should be able to recall your brand and services the moment they see your online portfolio.
Don’t Try to Be Everything to Everyone
The U.S. is home to more than 73.3 million freelancers, and this number is expected to reach 90.1 million over the next five years. But depending on your niche, you may be competing against professionals from all over the world. The only way to stand out from the crowd is to do things better or differently.
For starters, make sure your portfolio showcases your best work. You may have five, 10, or 15 years of experience, but this doesn’t mean you should list every project you’ve ever worked on. Instead, pick those projects that reinforce your USP and address your customers’ pain points.
Your work samples should demonstrate your expertise and the value you can bring to the table. If, say, you’re a freelance health writer, it doesn’t make sense to include links to articles on real estate. Focus on what you do best instead of trying to be everything to everyone.
If you’re just getting started, create mock projects and include them in your portfolio. Alternatively, reach out to startups, nonprofits, or local organizations and offer to complete a couple of projects for free to gain experience.
Build a Diverse Professional Portfolio
No matter your niche, each of your clients will have different requirements and expectations. For this reason, it’s important to create a diverse portfolio that demonstrates your ability to adapt to their needs.
Be selective with the projects in your portfolio, but aim for variety. Returning to the previous example, a health writer may include different types of projects in his online portfolio, such as:
- Articles on fitness, nutrition, disease prevention, and other health topics
- Medical blog posts
- Case studies
- Press releases
- Social media content
- Interviews with health experts
- eBooks and guides offering actionable insights
- Reports and white papers on health trends, public health issues, and related topics
- Other media (e.g., videos, podcasts, or infographics)
For example, some clients prefer to work with freelance writers who can create infographics or videos in addition to written content.
If you’re a graphic designer, your portfolio should include projects across different sectors, such as fashion, marketing, advertising, and real estate. You may also showcase personal projects, desktop and mobile apps, website redesigns, and other projects you worked on.
Create a Portfolio That Speaks Volumes about Your Skills
Your portfolio is an ongoing project that should reflect your ever-changing skills and interests. Therefore, it’s important to review it every few months and make changes as needed. Keep it fresh and relevant, experiment with different layouts, and add social proof to build trust with potential clients.
Go one step further and optimize your portfolio for search engines. Use a free tool like Google’s Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords, and then include them in your bio, blog posts, and metadata. Apart from that, think of yourself as a business and leverage your online portfolio to build your personal brand. Find a gap in the market, define your ideal customers, and tailor your portfolio to their needs.
