Sunday, February 28, 2010

Professional Portfolio website

What makes for a good personal portfolio website?

1. Logo

Your logo is usually the first thing a user sees. In the Western world, we read from left to right, top to bottom, so it makes sense to put your logo in the top left of your website so that users can immediately identify who owns the website.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be your name, but if you’re trying to promote yourself online, then it’s a good idea to go by your name. And always link your logo to your home page. It’s a common convention that users expect online.
Logo11 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Mohit goes by the alias of CSS Jockey.
Logo21 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Jason Reed uses a signature-style logo of his name.

2. Tagline

Once the user sees who owns the website, they’ll want to know what it is you do. This is where you explain what you do with a tagline. Your tagline should be short and snappy, summarizing what you do.
Things to ask yourself when writing your tagline:
  • What are you? A designer? A writer? A developer?
  • What do you do? Design websites? Develop games?
  • Where are you from? Country? City?
  • Are you a freelancer or do you work for a studio? Are you looking for work?
Tag2 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Sarah Longnecker makes it clear that she puts together videos and is good at it.

3. Portfolio

This is a personal portfolio website after all, so your portfolio will determine whether the website is interesting or not. People will want to see your previous work to decide whether you’re good or not and for general interest, to see what you’ve been up to in the past.
Depending on what you do, your portfolio should contain big high-quality images, clearly accessible to the user. Always include a link to the live version of the website you worked on, and link your screenshot to the live version (another common convention that people expect). Include a short description for each project, including the different skills that you needed to complete the project.
It’s never a bad idea to get a testimonial from a client. Your visitors might also be interested in the stages of development for your projects and how you arrived at the final outcome.
Portfolio1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Leigh Taylor displays nice clear screenshots of previous work and indicates what software was used during development.

4. Services

Your tagline summed up what you do, but you’ll want to go into a bit more detail here about each service that you offer. You can’t expect potential clients to guess what you do based on your portfolio, and you don’t want to leave them wondering whether you offer a particular service or not.
Make it clear, and break it down: Web design, development, video, copywriting, branding, etc. You may want to be even more specific: corporate branding, church website design, Flash banner ads and so on.
Services1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chris Spooner clearly indicates the services he offers for both print and Web.

5. About me

It’s all about you. Let people see the man or woman behind the mask (i.e. website). Share your background, where you came from, how many years you’ve been in the business, etc. The more details you give, the better your users can form a bond and build trust with you.
If you’re not camera-shy, show a picture of yourself. This will give potential clients peace of mind by allowing them to see who they’re dealing with, and it adds an element of trust.
Don’t be afraid to show off your awards and recognition here. You want people to know you’re good at what you do.
About1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chikezie Ejiasi shows us a photo of himself and even lets us know how to pronounce his name.

6. Contact

This is one of the most important elements of a portfolio website but is often hidden or even neglected. A potential client has browsed your website, is impressed with your portfolio and can see who you are. Now they want to hire you.
Your contact information should be obvious and easy to access; don’t hide it in the footer. Let people know they can contact you for a quote or a chat. Use a form to make it easier for users to contact you (so that they don’t have to take down your email address and then open up their email manager). A form also allows you to ask for specific information, such as name, email address, website URL, details of inquiry.
Contact1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Stuart Johnston offers clear contact details throughout his website but also provides an easy-to-use contact form.

7. Blog

A blog is always a good idea. Blog about your area of expertise; show you know what you’re talking about. It will help promote you and prevent your website from lying static.
Let people follow you by subscribing to an RSS feed, and show off your most popular blog posts to new readers.
Be sure to enable comments for feedback. Don’t make users register to add a comment to your blog, and don’t use anti-spam Captcha software, which only turns people off from commenting. There are plenty of anti-spam plug-ins available that don’t require users to do extra work.
Blog1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chris Wallace uses his blog about Web design-related topics to help out other people in the industry and to engage in discussion.

8. Call to action

Ask yourself what you want to get out of your personal portfolio website. Do you want to be hired? Attract more blog readers? Maybe you just want people to know who you are.
Each page should have a call to action, a “Next step.” The best way to accomplish this is with a “call to action” button that is clear and stands out from the rest of the page. Link it to your blog, portfolio or contact page, and use appropriate language (e.g. “Hire me,” “Request a quote,” “View my portfolio”).
Call1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Matthew Brown’s call to action is a contrasting button that stands out from the rest of the website.

9. Use social networking websites

Now that people have an interest in you and your work, encourage them to follow you on other websites. Make it clear that they can follow you on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, LinkedIn, etc. Make the most of social networks and have a group of friends to call on if needed.
Twitter2 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Sam Brown offers clear links to other websites he uses, allowing us to stalk him.

10. Language and communication

How you conduct yourself is important. Remember, it’s a personal portfolio website, so be personal. You don’t need to sound like a corporate brand with no emotion. Be friendly and personal, but also clear and precise; don’t ramble. Once you write all the text for your website, read it again and see if you can cut it in half.
Language1 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Marius Roosendaal uses a relaxed and friendly tone on his website.

Other tips:

  • Let people know where you’re from. This is always interesting to know, and some clients prefer to work with people nearby or in the same time zone.
  • Validation is important, especially for Web designers. If you’re going to be building professional websites for clients, then your own website’s code should at least be valid.
  • Link images, not just text. Most people will click on images, expecting them to point somewhere.
  • If you don’t have any previous clients for your portfolio, create a WordPress theme, design an icon set, develop a Twitter mashup, etc. You have a lot of possibilities, and there’s a big difference between having one project to show in your portfolio and having none.

40+ beautiful personal portfolio websites

Robbie Manson
Rob in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
F. Claire Scroggins
Van in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Timothy van Sas
Incg in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Ole Martin Kristiansen
Ole in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Maru Velázquez
Bib in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chikezie Ejiasi
Nine in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Miki Mottes (Flash)
Miki in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Jakub Krcmar
Jakub in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Mopa
Mopa in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chris J. Lee
Lee in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Pedro Lamin
Tra in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Cartonblanc (Flash)
Carton in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Leigh Taylor
Leigh in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Alex Coleman
Snap-54 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Sarah Longnecker
Snap-55 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Toby Powell
Snap-56 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Jay Hafling
Snap-57 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Elliot Jay Stocks
Snap-110 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Tony Geer
Snap-21 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Marius Roosendaal
Snap-31 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Ryan O’Rourke
Snap-41 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
<img /> is everything (Phil Thompson)
Snap-51 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Leigh Taylor
Snap-61 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Design Me (Marek Levak)
Snap-81 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Matt Dempsey
Snap-91 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Brad Candullo
Snap-102 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Andre Augusto
Snap-111 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Rob Hawkes
Snap-121 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Magnus Jepson
Snap-131 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Corking Design (Daniel Cork)
Snap-141 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Evan Eckard
Snap-151 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Alexandru Cohaniuc
Snap-161 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Miles Dowsett
Snap-171 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Andrew Bradshaw
Snap-181 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Shannon Moeller
Snap-191 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Vitor Louranco
Snap-201 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Mark Dearman
Snap-211 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Wong Yeng Kit
Snap-22 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chris Wallace
Snap-23 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Spoon Graphics (Chris Spooner)
Snap-24 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Fabiano Meneghetti
Snap-25 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Mark Wallis
Snap-26 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chris Morris
Snap-27 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Paiko (Heiko Brömmelstrote)
Snap-28 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Conan Robbins
Snap-29 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Henry Jones
Snap-301 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Winnie Lim
Snap-311 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Greg One (Gregoire Hoin)
Snap-32 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Mark Hadley
Snap-33 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
David Appleyard
Snap-341 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Design Moves Me (Roy Vergara)
Snap-35 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Brian Murchison
Snap-36 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Mike Precious
Snap-37 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Digital Deceptions (Duncan)
Snap-38 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Chirag Solanki
Snap-39 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Jason Reed
Snap-40 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Johnston North (Stuart Johnston)
Snap-411 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Penflare Designs (Sean Farrell)
Snap-42 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Nine Lion (Chikezie Ejiasi)
Snap-43 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Brian Wilkins
Snap-44 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Jason Santa Maria
Snap-45 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
David Hellmann
Snap-46 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Guillaume Pacheco
Snap-471 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Dave Lam
Snap-48 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Luke Stevens
Snap-49 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
James Lai
Snap-501 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Alessandro Cavallo
Snap-511 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
CSS Jockey (Mohit)
Snap-521 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Kerry Nehil
Snap-53 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Darren Hoyt
Snap-58 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Matthew Brown
Snap-59 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Digital Mash (Rob Morris)
Snap-60 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
The Things We Make (Mike Kus)
Snap-611 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website
Ed Merritt
Snap-62 in 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website

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