How To Optimize Your Portfolio Site

I read an article by a web developer who developed over 40 portfolio sites and has created his 6 tips for better optimization.

1. Define Your Site’s Purpose

Your portfolio should have a purpose that defines your target audience. Answer the question: Who is your site built for? If it is built for graphic designers make sure you focus on graphics or if it is for journalism make sure your content reflects your writing well.

2. Skills and Projects Early On

Often times, when people visit your portfolio, it is because they want to see your skills and projects. He recommends highlighting some skills in your about me or even having a block on your projects page for about me.

3. Less is More

Sometimes the simplest designs are also the best. It can be a good idea to not let your portfolio get too overwhelming with animations, colors, and fonts. Customize it to fit you, but make sure that it does not interfere with the usability.

4. What Will Visitors Notice First?

It takes less than a second to make up your first impression on a site visitor. With that, analyze what is most important visitors now about you. Is it your name? Location? Skills?

5. Minimize Clicking

When making your site ensure that your visitors can get to the information they want efficiently. To do this, make your navigation clear and concise. If you have a page call about me, a visitor should be able to click on that button and see that content, not have to jump through a bunch of hoops to get there.

6. Make it Easy to Contact You!

Your portfolio is about showing your projects and skills, but do not forget to add your contact information. This developers suggestion was to have your email or socials in the header and footer.