What They Don’t Teach You About Building A Good Web Design Portfolio
A portfolio is an essential piece of accessory to establishing credibility as a freelancer venturing into the market for web design. In the simplest sense, a portfolio is a substantial proof that a freelancer is indeed capable of the work they claim they can do. The portfolio must showcase relevant expertise and a unique selling point (USP) that appeals to the client.
There is a certain amount of dubiety and misconception surrounding the components of a successful portfolio, especially for beginner web developers.
In the next 5 minutes, our industry experts at High Five media will teach you all there is to know about building a stunning portfolio website.
Make A Freelancer Portfolios That Caters to The Clients
A rookie mistake when creating your freelance portfolio is to write it as if it were a resume for a position at a web development company. Remember the target audience here is actual clients. To get ahead of the competition you will need an oomph factor that sets you apart.
Focus on your USP and stick to your guns. It’s still okay to tweak your pitch to draw in more clients but understand that consistently producing work that agrees with your USP is going to help you lay the foundations of a personal brand.
Don’t Forget to Include The 4 Critical Elements
A Portfolio is more than a gallery to house your past projects. It should tell the client the following 4 things -
What You Can Do for Them
Rather than simply stating your skills, tell them what benefits you bring to the table for them. For example, as a web developer instead of saying you are well-versed in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. tell them that you can offer web design services that skillfully present their business to patrons online.
Where to Find You
Include your contact information and social media handles in the portfolio. Make it easy for the clients to contact you.
Detailed Work Experience
Spell out your skills and expertise on the portfolio. While you are at it also tell them the kind of projects you are looking for.
About You
The portfolio should also include a short section about you and what you are like to work with. Take time to explain your design philosophy and work ethic to the client.
Niche Portfolio over General Portfolio
A general portfolio does a decent job of advertising your skills to a wide variety of clients. You can list your many skills and take on a flexible approach. There is nothing wrong with it, except that a niche portfolio is more likely to make you stand out in the crowd.
Suppose you are a boutique selling designer apparel and want to expand online. You have gone through tens of portfolios, and everybody is prodigiously gifted in C++. No one really stands out.
However, one developer mentions wanting to work with fashion labels. You are going to pick them right?
That is how potent niche portfolios are.
Testimonials Are a Powerful Tool
Ask your previous clients for testimonials and include them in your portfolio, even tweets, press releases, etc. Do not shy away from including a whole lot of them. In addition to sample projects, testimonials let the clients know that you are reliable.
Web design is one of the most powerful tools to solidify a business’s online presence and expand to wider horizons. It is also the first impression people form of a particular brand.
High Five Media has been actively involved in the digitalization of several of Oklahoma City’s homegrown brands for the past 10 years. We believe by the end of this decade, High Five will have helped many more to adapt to the digital transition.
