Focus on a simple, clean design that doesn't detract from your work and choose a template that allows you to organize ..
Portfolio Websites for Beginners Go clean. Focus on a simple, clean design that doesn’t detract from your work and choose a template that allows you to organize work based on reporting beat and/or media type.
Match your resume. Design your portfolio to match resume — using the same colors and fonts when possible. Watch the fonts. Choose no more than two fonts to use on your site and then use variations of those (ex. light, bold, semi-bold, etc.). Note: If you use Google Fonts, which most website themes have already built in, there’s a key with font pairing suggestions on fonts.google.com.
Make the swap. If you have an existing portfolio site, swap out old content for new work as your skill level changes. Present your best.
Resources Here are some resources that may come in handy in the process: Fontpair.co and Typewolf.com - Pairing Google fonts together Web2pdfconvert.com - Saving URLs as PDFs in case they’re ever removed Canva.com - Creating graphics Downloadtwittervideo.com and Fbdown.net - Downloading social media videos add to portfolio
Site Builders Here is a list of sites to host a quick portfolio website. The first two are ones I highly recommend because of how professional they look and are often used by designers. Website
Skill Level
Price
Ability to create a custom URL Without Site Name (eg. YourName.com)
Notes
Wordpress.com
Intermediate to Advanced
Free, but only $2.99 per month to use custom domain; other personal plan $8.25 per month
Yes (can purchase domain through Wordpress.com or can transfer a domain you already own)
Learning curve similar to the type of content management system that most organizations have (giving you another skill to add to your resume); several clean themes; room to add a blog and additional pages; can always transfer domain (URL) name to another host later
Squarespace.com
Intermediate to Advanced
$12 per month for personal plan
Yes (can purchase domain through Squarespace or can transfer a domain you already own)
Several clean themes; room to add a blog and additional pages; can always transfer domain (URL) name to another host later
journoportfolio.com
All skill levels
Free only up to 10 clippings; paid packages up to $7.99 per month
Yes (with pro package)
Can add email account to go with your custom domain such as
[email protected] for $3 per month
Contently.net
All skill levels
Free
No
Able to be found by Contently clients seeking freelancers
Clippings.me
All skill levels
Free only up to 10 clippings; paid packages up to $11.99 per month
No
Easy-to-use, but there’s only one theme
Pressfolios.com
All skill levels
$9.99 per month for 250 stories; $14.99 for unlimited
No
Ability to upload PDFs of offline clips; can feature best pieces; easy-to-use, but there’s only one theme
General questions not answered here? Feel free to email me at
[email protected].
