How to Build a Portfolio Website
Portfolios are no longer just a bunch of documents and photographs stuffed into a binder. With today's technology, portfolios can be created online in the form of a website and even a blog. Showcasing your skills online is a quick and easy way to let potential clients know what you're looking for and how you are qualified. With search engine optimization and social networking, helping potential clients find your portfolio should be as easy as pie.
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Instructions
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Consider your purpose before creating your portfolio. For example, if you want to get hired on as a writer or journalist, make an outline of all of your experience, qualifications, education and samples of your work.
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Choose what kind of online portfolio you would like to use in order to showcase your skills. When publishing your portfolio online, there are three typical options. These options include a blog, website or a simple portfolio without any extras.
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Purchase a domain name or use a sub-domain name. This is what users will type into their address bars to visit your website. Your first and last name should suffice, but if you're looking for a little something else, consider integrating the field in which you want to work into your domain name. For example, if you want to be a writer, your domain name could be www.YOUR-NAME-writer.com. If you want to feature your skills in a blog, you can purchase blogging software and a domain or you can use a free blogging site like Blogger or Word Press.
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Design your portfolio template or use a pre-made one. If you are CSS and HTML savvy, you should be able to design your own template for your blog. If not, you can learn CSS and HTML at W3 Schools (see Resources 1). If you'd rather use a pre-made template, there are plenty free ones available online. Remember, the key to attracting and keeping potential clients is a simple and easy-to-navigate website.
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Focus on getting to the point and persuading potential clients that you're able to impress with your skills. Share knowledge with clients and make them want to hire you. Make sure to add an area where clients can contact you in order to hire you or see whether or not you're interested in a particular position.
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Create an "About" page. This page is about you. Let potential clients know who you are, what qualifications and experience you have and whether or not you're looking for work and if so, what type of work. Showcase samples of your work on your website so that potential clients know what they're working with. If possible, including testimonials from previous clients along with references is a great way to attract a new client's attention.
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Show off only the skills that you want to use in your field of work. For example, don't list all of your skills and experience as a veterinary assistant if you're only looking for work as a school teacher. Only demonstrate skills that are needed in the area that you wish to work in.
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Build traffic to your website by speaking with other freelancers, mentoring new freelancers, showcasing your own work, advertising on social networking sites or by blogging about it.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit portfolio image by andrey polichenko from Fotolia.com
