How To Create that Quintessential Portfolio

A portfolio is not only limited to actual copies of your work, but it is also another avenue for you to show the world who you are and what your future web design projects are. By creating your own web portfolio, you will also create your own brand as a web designer. You might ask, how do I create that ideal portfolio?

Follow these tips in making a captivating portfolio:

• Present a TEASER on the homepage.

  As you go along, you will have a number of web design projects. You won’t have all day to present your designs and a website visitor will only have seconds to check your web profile. So, make sure your best works are ready to welcome any potential customers. Create a great first impression by showcasing your personal favorites.

• Easy Navigation.

  You are a web designer. You should know that no one likes an unorganized websites. So, keep it simple. Your website must be straightforward and the navigation must be consistent throughout the entire website. There should be a dedicated page for all your web design projects. Most importantly, the contact page must be obvious for everyone to see.

• Your STORY makes you unique.

  There are a lot of web designers who handled numerous projects. So, what makes you different? To offer stand out from the rest, share your own journey. Create your ABOUT page and cite some personal trivia. Narrate your humble beginnings and career milestones.

• Present your DETAILED work.

  This is the important part of your portfolio. There should be a page for all your work. Ideally, you need to need first provide a preview of around 45 to 75 characters. Once clicked, there should be ample information about it. You should state the purpose of creating each design and why it’s the appropriate choice.

• Describe your design process.

  You may have similar works with fellow designers, but your design process is different from the others.  Let people understand how you deal with the given problem. Show how and why you chose a particular design. It should address a certain purpose and it should provide benefits to your client.

• Organize your work.

  To help your clients choose a design they prefer, classify your work. Don’t let them choose a needle from a haystack. Group similar web designs together. Make a list of your personal favorites, most recently completed, minimalistic style, and more.

• Don’t complicate things.

  Non-disclosure agreement (NDAs) may cause an obstacle to your promising portfolio. What you show through your website must be readily accessible. To prevent problems concerning NDAs, it’s better to remove specific details. Present the designs but remove names that would like to remain private. Censor information in a tactful manner and assign a generic placeholder.

• Highlight what the customers say.

  An excellent way to gain trust to provide testimonials from your clients. These testimonies will encourage website visitors to inquire about your web design services. What should you include ask in a testimonial?

  • Ask the client what they like best about your work. How the new web design improved their website
  • Let the client talk about what they love about working with you. Do not let them talk about jargon.

• Contact page must be concise.

  What is a web portfolio without its contact page? Make sure that your contact form is easy to use and short. If there are specific information you need to ask, please be specific about them.

• Last, but not the least, do NOT lie!

  Do NOT claim a group project as your own. You can put a note that you are the lead designer and then mention your team members.