How to build a portfolio website
GETTING STARTED
If you are reading this, you probably know what a portfolio website is? For those who are confused about what it is, I can simply put it as ‘your online resume’. I will not dive into the details of what it is, and how important role it plays now-a-days. This guide is for those who want to have their portfolio website online or are planning to have one. The information in this guide came from my personal experience in developing my own portfolio website (findakshay.in). And I would like to share it with you so that you can avoid making the mistakes I made while doing so.
Why you need a portfolio website?
The answer to this question depends on you. For me, the answer was to showcase my work to my potential clients and HRs. By doing so, I would be able create a bond of trust as they’ll be sure that I’m the right person that they are looking for. Also, having developed numerous sites for others but not having your own site felt little ‘awkward’. So I thought of building this site.
What information to have on your portfolio website?
The information on your resume can go on your portfolio website as it is. But that won’t make sense at all. Resumes are supposed to be restrained in length, the statistics on it is required to be ‘quick and clear’. But these aren’t the drawbacks of resumes; they are meant to be like that and thus are perfect for their objective. Portfolio websites should also be ‘short and clear’ but they can be expanded. In case you already have a nicely written resume, you don’t need to research further while developing a portfolio website. Most of the rules that apply to resume contents, apply to these sites as well.
You should have the following information on the site
A one-liner telling exactly who you are and what you do? (Ex. “I’m Akshay. I design and develop software, websites and apps)
A short paragraph that would answer the most common question “Introduce yourself”
A page/section showcasing your work.
A contact form or an email address (since, websites will be accessible from all around the world, I don’t recommend putting your phone number on the site as it might cause unwanted trouble, an email address is safe and sufficient).