Are you an aspiring creative with a portfolio website that you want to make stand out? In a crowded industry where many individuals showcase their work online, it can be challenging to make your portfolio website stand out from the rest. However, with the right tools and knowledge, you can increase your chances of standing out and attracting potential clients. Here are ten ways to make your portfolio website stand out in a crowded industry.

1. Show Personality Through Your Design

Your website design should reflect your personality. Use unique color palettes, strong typography, and uncommon website layouts that follow great user experience (UX) design principles, to give your website a personal stamp. Make sure the website is easy to navigate, so users can easily jump from one project to another.

A photo of a website with strong typography and a unique color palette.

2. Optimize Images for Fast Loading

When creating an online portfolio, image-heavy websites can slow down website loading speed. Use optimized images so that your website loads without delays. Use plugins like WP Smush or Kraken to compress images and increase website loading speed.

A gif of a website with a slow loading speed.

3. Use Social Proof

Create a section on your website where you can highlight customer testimonials, reviews, or recognition that validates your work. This can help potential clients trust your work and feel confident that they are making an excellent choice by hiring you.

A screenshot of customer testimonials on a website.

4. Make the Website Responsive

Your website must be responsive, meaning it should fit into any screen size, including smartphones and tablets. When creating a responsive website, ensure that the user experience is not compromised on smaller screens.

A photo of a website viewed on different screen sizes.

5. Use Animation

Add animation to your website design to grab and hold your visitors’ attention. Don’t overdo it though, as too much animation can lead to slow loading speeds.

A GIF of an animated website.

6. Include Your Personal Story

Your portfolio website should be an extension of who you are. Create a page that tells your personal story, including how you got started in your career, and include snippets about your life. This can help potential clients know who they are considering to hire.

A photo of a personal story that includes how you got started in your career.

7. Use High-Quality Images

Use high-quality images on your website to show potential clients the level of professionalism you bring to your work.

A photo of a high-quality image used on a website.

8. Keep Your Website up-to-date

Your portfolio website should showcase your latest work. Update your website with new projects, articles, or blog posts, and get rid of outdated content.

A photo of a website that hasn't been updated in years.

9. Stay Consistent

Creating a consistent brand is essential in any aspect of graphic design. Ensure that your website reflects your brand and style, so potential clients know what they are getting.

A photo of a website that is consistent with the brand style.

10. Make Your Website User-Friendly

Your website should be easy to navigate. Use proper headings, a clean layout, and easy-to-read fonts. Visitors should be able to find the information they are looking for without a struggle.

A photo of a website that is easy to navigate.

Following these ten tips can help you create a standout portfolio website that showcases your work and personality. With the right website design, optimized images, social proof, and a personal touch, your portfolio website can become a gateway to opportunities and lead to new clients.

A photo of a portfolio website with a personal touch that showcases the owner's work.