A website design portfolio includes the full catalogue of the websites the designer has built in the past. It may also include testimonials section where all his past clients have made comments regarding his work, as well as price quotations on the different specifications of website design. It is meant for the benefit of potential clients who are then able to gauge his capabilities by judging from the list of works done and the comments made by previous clients. Thus, it is definitely a portent marketing tool for the website designing professional.
The website design portfolio will, quite naturally, be embedded on a designer’s website. As a crucial marketing tool, the portfolio should be constantly updated. Some creative types embed links to their Twitter or Facebook accounts to take advantage of emerging prominence of social networking in online marketing. So, how do you create the perfect website design portfolio? The most obvious starting point would be to include only your very best work. Also, provide links to the live pages as well as a description of the website design specifications so that the potential clients understand what it is all about.
However, note that it is important to keep copies of the sites you have built, so that if the owners change them or shut them down, it does not affect your portfolio. Of course, prior permission from the site’s owner is a prerequisite. And some of the newer web designers with little prior experience may be wondering how to create a portfolio without a list of previous works done. Well, of course the neat thing to do would be to create sample websites for yourself, and include these in your portfolio. This way, potential customers can see the extent of your skills. You do not have to be tied down by the “inexperienced” tag. Your website design portfolio will of course have to be on your personal website. Because there are thousands other designers with almost similar portfolios to yours, appearances matter.
Therefore, endeavor to build a website that is pleasing for your portfolios. The portfolio is in itself a product that you should market. Branding is imperative. You should create an appealing logo that clearly identifies you from the rest of the competition. Your portfolio should include your full contact information. As mentioned earlier, it is always a very good idea to link it to social networking sites.