Have you ever wondered how a stunning portfolio created using a website can elevate your professional presence? In this digital age, where websites have become the landing page to advertise your product and services, creating a portfolio website is a necessity to attract potential clients. Regardless of the industry you work in, a portfolio website provides a tangible record of your work as well as helps establish you as a credible authority in the industry. It showcases your knowledge, skills, and creativity and gives potential clients and collaborators a preview of your work’s quality. 

However, creating a portfolio website is not just about uploading images or listing the projects that you have worked on. It is also about creating engaging content that looks visually appealing. Whether you are a designer, developer, or writer, an online portfolio maker can simplify the process of creating and deploying your best possible portfolio. If you are looking for the best online tools available to design a personal website, keep reading this blog. We have curated a list of the top 5 portfolio makers to help you choose the option that suits your needs, along with some essential tips. Let’s get started!

What is a Portfolio Website?

A portfolio website acts as an interactive and digital resume that provides more comprehensive details of your work. It is meant for individuals and businesses who want to showcase their work, skills, and achievements by allowing them to upload their work and essential information. Furthermore, you can share the link to your portfolio with future employers, clients, or industry peers to give them a peek into your work and skills.

A well-designed portfolio consists of a concise but detailed collection of your work, information about you and your business, contact information, query forms, and your social media links. Although creating a portfolio website may sound difficult, with the help of online tools, the process is much easier than you may think. These tools offer drag-and-drop features and a vast library of customizable templates. A good online portfolio maker is easy to navigate without the need for any kind of technical or design knowledge, skill, or experience. 

Deciding the Right Platform for Creating a Portfolio Website

The choice of the platform for creating a portfolio website can impact the entire process. Furthermore, with so many website builders flooding the market, it is a challenging task to find the one that suits your unique needs. Let us look at some of the factors you should consider when selecting an online portfolio maker.

1. Requirements 

Before you begin your search for the ideal online portfolio maker, it is important to evaluate your goals and unique needs. Whether you want a feature-rich option or something more suited for beginners, along with answers to other questions like your end goal and vision is essential to ensure the tool you choose addresses your needs. 

2. Budget

There are a variety of tools available to help you design a personal website with different pricing tiers as well as free options. You should choose a tool that provides features useful to you on your ideal budget to ensure you get the most out of your investment. 

3. Features

Depending on your requirements and technical skills, you can choose the features that are important to you. Some portfolio makers provide robust tools like HTML coding integration, API availability, email hosting and custom domain, and plug-ins. In contrast, others provide simple templates, themes, and drag-and-drop options that are easy to customize. 

5 Best Online Tools to Create Your Portfolio 

Once you have the answers to the above questions ready, you can start considering different online tools for creating a portfolio website. We have compiled a list of the 5 best platforms to ease your decision-making process. Let’s take a look at these online tools. 

1. Neo

Neo is a powerful email hosting service specially designed to support the communication needs of freelancers, small businesses, and mid-sized companies. It provides a wide range of business solutions, including custom email addresses, AI email writer for automation, and a complimentary one-page portfolio website with all of its plans. Some of the platform’s key features are:

• A website builder with a diverse range of templates and themes that are fully customizable. 
• Easy integration of your social media platforms and website forms for streamlined operations. 
• Secure infrastructure with anti-spoofing, anti-spam, and anti-spam protection, along with two-factor authentication and encryption. 
• It even offers free custom domain registration with .co.site domain extension. You can use this to create any type of TLDs, like domainname-edu.co.site, domainname-org.co.site. 
• A uniform online branding with the same name for email and portfolio and easy management of all your operations from a single platform. 

2. Google Sites

Google Sites is a free website builder that allows you to create unique and functional portfolios hassle-free using your free email account or professional email. It offers an easy website editor with customizable themes and templates. While Google Sites provides free portfolio creation with a Google subdomain, you can integrate your personal domain with a Google Workspace plan. This online portfolio maker’s features include: 

• You can upload your brand images and themes for consistent personal branding. 
• Add a Google Maps snippet and your calendars for higher functionality. 
• Easy integration with other Google suite apps such as Docs, Drive, Sheets, and more. 
• Embed social media accounts, links to your eCommerce stores, or other links on the website. 

‍

3. WordPress

One of the most widely used Content Management Systems, WordPress, is another ideal tool for creating a website portfolio. It is free and open-source, with a vast pool of plug-ins and themes to suit your every need. Providing infrastructure for the tech-savvy crowd as well as beginners, WordPress is amongst the best tools. Here are some of its features: 

• Premium hosting plans with custom domain integration and extensive features. 
• Drag-and-drop features, themes, and templates for portfolio builders for beginners. 
• Easy connection of GitHub repositories for coding automation. 
• Seamless integration with Google Workspace apps. 

4. Behance

Specifically designed for artists and creative professionals, Behance is an excellent and easy platform to design your website portfolio. The platform also has one of the widest networks of creators, allowing you to find opportunities to work and collaborate with diverse groups of people easily. Additionally, a paid Behance version with more features is available for those looking for more functionality, such as portfolio analytics and no platform fees for any transaction. Some of its features are: 

• You can create your profile from scratch for a unique and robust profile.
• Enhance the quality of your portfolio with 3D content, Figma links, and audio-visual elements. 
• Directly upload your projects created using Adobe Lightroom or other Adobe tools. 
• Work in Progress feature through which you can show glimpses of your incomplete work and get private feedback from your connections. 

5. Adobe Portfolio

Adobe Portfolio is dynamic and can be further enhanced using Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription. This platform allows you to create personal landing pages as well as thorough portfolios with multiple pages that you can personalize according to your personal preferences and goals. Some of this platform’s features are:

• Easily modifiable themes and templates with a drag-and-drop editor. 
• Add your brand toolkit, like logos, images, and brand colors.
• You can customize your portfolio to be SEO-friendly and attract organic traffic. 
• Control who has access to your portfolios and projects with password protection. 

Comparison Table

Let’s compare all the platforms to help you choose the best option. Our rating is based on the features we liked and disliked for each platform, its usability, pricing, and user-friendliness.

Essential Tips for a Successful Portfolio Website

Once you choose the right platform for creating a portfolio website, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Here are some essential tips that can help you build the best portfolio to enhance your brand and business. 

1. Design a Solid Introduction Section

Do you know what sets the most successful portfolio websites apart from the majority? It is the “about me” section. While creating a portfolio website, ensure that you communicate your business and your information efficiently. Let your targeted audience get to know what you are offering and what sets you apart from the competition.

2. Showcase the Right Work or Projects

Your clients and employers would want to see your best work instead of just filling out the details in the portfolio section. The projects you upload on your portfolio should display some relevant skill or experience, establishing you as knowledgeable in your niche.  Additionally, explain your projects with a clear-cut description, your role, and the outcomes they have generated.

3. Contact Information

Another key element of a successful website portfolio is the strategic placement of contact information. You can include a contact form, your email address, and links to your social media profiles to let the readers reach you easily. 

4. Call-To-Action Button

A Call-To-Action (CTA) button subtly guides your readers on how you want them to proceed after viewing your portfolio. Whether it is to contact you, access your marketplace website or resume, or connect with your social media account, a CTA button helps you assist you in achieving the desired outcome. 

5. Embed Testimonials and Reviews

Online reviews and testimonials help you establish your credibility. So, if your website portfolio has word-of-mouth advertising, i.e., wording from your clients, your consumers are more likely to trust your products or services. So, when you design a personal website, mention the client reviews and testimonials.

6. Attach your Resume and Skills

Building an online portfolio website through an online portfolio maker will surely help you stand out in the market. However, there are a lot of clients and employers who look for resumes and a separate skill set section to hire candidates. Do provide a downloadable version of your updated resume with clear skill-set pointers.

Wrapping Up

Creating a portfolio website is a key step towards establishing a solid presence and leading the market. They help you provide real proof of your skills, experience, and technical knowledge. It is important to keep certain pointers in mind and choose the right platform when creating a portfolio website. Amongst all the options, if you are looking for a one-stop solution for all your operations, including website and email hosting, then Neo is the best choice for you. So, register with Neo today and start creating your portfolio! 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What kind of work can I include in my portfolio?

If you have extensive work experience, you can curate your best works and add them to your portfolio. If you are just starting, include all your work. You can even display your hobby or passion project. The central idea is to showcase your skills, knowledge, and ability to adapt. 

Q2. How much does it cost to build a portfolio website?

The cost of building a portfolio website depends on the platform you choose and the features you want to utilize. There are several free options to help you make your portfolio without any investment like Google Sites. 

Q3. What should I include on my portfolio website?

A successful portfolio website includes an about me section, a showcase of your best work or projects, contact information, testimonials or reviews, and a downloadable resume. Also, try to include a blog section where you can keep demonstrating your expertise by solving problems for your target audience.