The Importance of Showcasing Your Work

An online portfolio can be anything from a full-blown website to a simple social media account. It is anything that is freely available for the world to see and provides a showcasing of your unique work and capabilities.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s essential to cultivate a professional image that sets you apart from the crowd. One of the most effective ways to do this is by showcasing your work in a portfolio.

Having a well-curated online portfolio boosts your professional image, demonstrating your skills, expertise, and creative abilities. It allows potential customers, clients, or employers to browse through your work, getting a sense of your style, capabilities, and potential impact.

When done right, an online portfolio can be a powerful tool in attracting the right audience, creating opportunities, and ultimately helping you achieve your professional goals and, some platforms even provide you with the possibility to make some extra money in the process.

A Portfolio Boosts Your Professional Image

Creating an online portfolio dramatically boosts your professional image, giving you a polished and credible online presence. A well-curated portfolio showcases your work, demonstrating your expertise in a visually appealing way. It serves as a hub where potential customers, clients, or employers can discover the quality of your skills, browse through your projects, and get a glimpse of your creative capabilities.

A Portfolio Showcases Your Skills

An online portfolio is more than just a showcase of your work; it’s a powerful tool for highlighting your skills. By curating your projects in a portfolio, you effectively demonstrate your creativity, talent, and expertise.

Showcasing Your Work Can Make You Money

Most platforms today, both paid and free, are now rolling out innovative programs specifically designed to empower creators like you. These platforms have awakened to the undeniable truth: creators are the lifeblood of their ecosystems, the very cornerstone of their business models. In recognition of your invaluable expertise and the unique skills you bring to the table, these platforms are not just acknowledging your contributions—they’re recompensing them.

Find out which platforms suit what creators best below.

Best Free Portfolio Platforms for Various Professionals

When it comes to creating an online portfolio, there are numerous free portfolio websites available, catering to the specific needs of different professionals. From freelance writers to designers, there’s a platform for everyone.

Let’s explore some of the best free portfolio websites across various professions, each offering unique features that allow professionals to showcase their work effectively, attract potential customers, and elevate their online presence.

For Freelance Writers/Journalists

For freelance writers, online portfolio platforms offer specialized features tailored to their needs. These platforms make it effortless for writers to showcase their writing samples, organize their work, and attract new clients. Here are some ideal portfolio platforms for freelance writers:

WordPress

Made for writers and blogging.

WordPress was originally created for writers to share written content in the form of blogging in 2001. WordPress is now one of the most popular platforms for building websites.

WordPress is potentially the best platform to showcase your writing skills. With the ability for your content to rank highly on search results, it can be a great tool to monetize your writing skills.

Read how to create a profitable blog website ⇒

With the potential to also incorporate E-commerce (WooCommerce), it can be a potential gateway to the world of selling products online (both digital and physical).

WordPress is free for unlimited pages however, you will not have access to a custom domain (www.yourdomain.com)

Blogger

An easy to use all-in-one platform to earn money as a blogger

With Blogger, you can create a beautiful blog that matches your style with easy-to-use templates, flexible layouts, and hundreds of background images. This allows for a personalized touch to your blog, making it more appealing to your audience.

Blogger also provides you with the option to start with a free blogspot.com domain or to purchase a custom domain easily. This flexibility ensures that your blog can have a professional appearance with a domain that reflects your brand or personal style.

Blogger integrates with Google AdSense, enabling you to earn money from your blog. By displaying relevant targeted ads, you can generate income from your posts about your passions. This feature is particularly beneficial for writers looking to monetize their content effectively.

With built-in analytics, Blogger helps you understand your audience better. You can see where your audience is coming from and what interests them, allowing you to tailor your content accordingly. For more detailed analytics, you can connect your blog directly to Google Analytics.

Blogger ensures the safety of your content, allowing you to store thousands of posts, photos, and more with Google. This feature is crucial for preserving your work and memories over time.

Clippings.me

A platform dedicated to writers for showcasing their writing.

Clippings.me provides a unique selling point for journalists, bloggers, and writers by allowing them to easily create beautiful online portfolios without the need for coding. It enables users to showcase their best work, customize their page, and share their portfolio with the world, thereby promoting their professional growth and visibility.

Thousands of writers worldwide trust the platform, which provides free and premium options, excellent support, a beautiful and customizable layout, SEO-friendly features, a friendly community for advice, simple billing, and a variety of tools to help them improve their portfolios, such as multimedia embedding and detailed stats.

Clippings.me can be free forever or upgrade to premium for a monthly quote of $9.99.

Journo Portfolio

A simple and effective way to start a portfolio website.

Journo Portfolio provides customizable templates specifically designed for writers. Writers can easily share their portfolio across social media, creating a professional online presence. The platform allows for the seamless display of blog posts, articles, and other written works. With built-in SEO tools, writers can optimize their portfolio to rank higher in search engine results, increasing their visibility to potential customers.

The free plan limits you to 10 portfolio elements. You can upgrade to $8/month to increase this amount.

Connectively (HARO)

Connects journalists with subject matter experst.

Connectivity, previously known as HARO, is a place that bridges the gap between both journalists and subject matter experts. Journalists submit queries and subject matter experts can comment on these queries. This provides a valuable exchange of information between both individuals. You, the journalist, are provided with expert information, and the expert is cited by you in exchange.

Free for 10 pitches per month, $19/month for up to 25 pitches per month. You can buy additional pitches when you run out.

Medium

The best for sharing your writing skills to a community of millions.

Medium is a platform where anyone can share their insights, practical advice, and life experiences with a global audience without needing a large following or subscriber list. It stands out as a peaceful and thoughtful space amidst the internet’s chaos, offering a simple, beautiful, and collaborative environment for reaching the right audience. If you decide to go for the paid plan, you can even get paid for your work.

Medium is free to use, but to access its full potential, you need to become a member which starts at $5/month

Just released a book? You can become an official author on Medium

SubStack

Create a community of paid subcsribers.

Substack changes the way writers and artists share their work and make money. It makes it easy for people who aren’t good with computers to start a publication that includes a personal website, blog, email newsletter, or podcast. Substack stands out because readers can directly support the site with money through subscriptions.

This model gives writers and podcasters the freedom to own their work, create a mailing list, and grow their media business. Over 35 million active subscriptions, including 2 million paid ones, make Substack a home for famous authors and a new generation of creators, creating a new way for culture to make money.

Substack is free to use but takes a 10% commission on your paid subscription plans.

Fiverr

Showcase and sell your writing skills to the world.

Fiverr provides freelancers, (not just writers by the way) with a unique opportunity to reach a global audience, expand their client base, and gain international exposure. It also provides a platform for individuals to showcase their portfolios, highlighting their skills and previous work to help attract potential clients looking for proven talent.

Fiverr is free upon sign-up and can take up to 20% in commissions for the work you sell on the platform.

Platforms for Designers

Designers benefit greatly from visually appealing portfolio websites that showcase their creativity and design expertise. Online portfolio platforms like Dribble and Behance provide efficient and effective ways for designers to exhibit their work for free. Here are some platforms that cater to the design community you should check out:

Dribble

Showcase your art to other artists.

Dribble is a popular platform for designers to showcase their artwork and design projects. The platform allows users to create profiles, upload their designs, and receive feedback from the community. It also enables designers to follow other creatives, discover new trends, and collaborate with other professionals in the design industry.

Dribble is free

Creative Market

Like Dribble, but better.

Creative Market, part of the Dribble empire, offers designers significant advantages, such as access to a 10 million member network, partnership opportunities, and the freedom to set their own prices without exclusivity constraints.

Sellers can instantly update and add products, with instant product delivery to customers. The platform also provides comprehensive shop management tools for real-time tracking and easy customer communication, making it an ideal marketplace for sellers to monetize their creative content effectively.

Creative Market promises to do the heavy lifting in terms of promoting your products to the right audience within their platform.

To start selling on Creative Market is free however not all applications are accepted.

Creative Market takes up to 50% commissions for what you sell on their platform.

Behance

Showcase your design work to potential clients.

Behance is another widely recognized platform for creative professionals to display and sell their work. Artists, graphic designers, and illustrators can easily create profiles, upload their projects, and engage with the design community. Behance offers a visually appealing, user-friendly interface, making it an ideal platform for designers looking to showcase their portfolio and sell their design assets.

Behance boasts of an audience of 40 million users.

To list your asset for sale, there is no cost. However, there will be a Stripe processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 when you sell an asset, in addition to a 30% platform fee deducted from the proceeds.

WordPress

Build a custom unique branded website.

WordPress, a versatile platform for online portfolios, allows artists and designers to easily customize their sites. It supports multimedia content and offers blogging capabilities for creative professionals, aiding in building a dynamic online presence.

With WordPress, individuals can showcase their work effectively and engage with their audience through various interactive features. Its user-friendly interface and robust functionalities make it a preferred choice for professionals looking to establish a strong online portfolio presence.

WordPress does offer a free plan that may be enough for small portfolio showcases, however as mentioned earlier you do not have access to your own custom domain.

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Platforms for Photographers and Videographers

Photographers and videographers have a unique need to showcase their visual storytelling skills in their online portfolios in the highest quality possible. This is why platforms like Pinterest and Instagram offer attractive features for photographers and videographers to display their work and gain exposure. Here are some go-to platforms for photographers and videographers:

Pinterest

Be an inspirational source to millions.

Pinterest is a popular platform for sharing and discovering visual inspiration. Photographers can create captivating boards to showcase their work, organizing images by theme, style, or subject. By leveraging hashtags and image descriptions, photographers can attract followers, drive traffic to their portfolio website, and potentially secure new customers or clients.

Pinterest is a free social media platform

Instagram

Grow a community of followers.

Instagram is a social media platform that has become a go-to for photographers to showcase their work. With its mobile-first approach, Instagram allows photographers to create a visually appealing grid of their best shots. By utilizing features like Stories and IGTV, photographers can share behind-the-scenes content and engage with their audience, driving traffic to their online portfolio.

Instagram is free to use

Unsplash

Potentially earn between $5 – $30 per photograph.

Unsplash may be the single best place to showcase your work as a photographer, get backlinks for your website and even earn some extra money selling your photos. There are millions of people who use Unsplash, and it is currently one of the best places to get visibility for your work as a photographer.

Unsplash+ recently released in October 2022 now allows you, the photographer, to earn money in exchange for your images.

YouTube

Develop a career as a videographer.

YouTube is the second most used search engine on the internet and, needless to say, it is made for video/film creators. There are so many reasons why you should be on YouTube if you are a videographer (e.g. a vast audience reach, creative freedom, community, SEO and discoverability, be an educational resource). But for this article, we will focus on the two main ones:

Portfolio Showcase: YouTube can be used by videographers and filmmakers to create a dynamic portfolio of their work for potential clients, collaborators, and employers. A well-curated channel can highlight your skills, creativity, and versatility, making it easier to find freelance work or job opportunities.

Monetization Opportunities: YouTube provides a variety of ways for creators to monetize their content, including ad revenue, channel memberships, super chat in live streams, and the YouTube Partner Program. Once you meet the eligibility requirements, these tools can help you generate a consistent income from your work.

Artlist

A great place to get known and sell your work.

Artlist is a platform that offers royalty-free music, video footage and SFX for all types of creators. It also accepts footage from creators.

Uploading content to Artlist (Artgrid) offers creators significant benefits, including the ability to retain rights to their footage without exclusivity and opening up new revenue streams through the footage licensing market. Creators have the opportunity to inspire a global audience with their story-driven content, maintain control over how their footage is presented, and expand their reach as their work gains recognition in projects worldwide.

Additionally, joining Artlist connects creators with a community of high-end filmmakers, enhancing their visibility and impact in the creative industry. Before starting, creators must ensure they have full rights and necessary releases for their footage, and that it’s not exclusively tied to another platform.

Tik Tok

Entertain millions across the globe with your videos.

TikTok’s algorithm excels at tailoring content to individual preferences, making it easier for users to find content that interests them. This personalized experience assists users in discovering and engaging with communities to which they can relate, fostering a sense of belonging and interaction.

TikTok has a large global user base, which makes it a melting pot of cultures. This global reach enables the exchange of cultural ideas and perspectives, enriching the user experience and creating a more inclusive online community.

TikTok’s Creator Fund rewards content creators for their efforts, encouraging high-quality content production. This support has attracted professionals and helped to sustain the platform’s growth and communities.

Honourable Mentions

While these are not necessarily free, they do offer free trials and reduced fees that are worth your attention.

Shopify

Not free but one of the most used stores for selling anything.

Shopify is one of the most popular E-commerce platforms, and also one of the most recommended for selling your stuff online.

While Shopify does not come free, it does have a plan worth mentioning for social media creators. The Shopify Starter plan only costs $5/month and does offer a free trial period plus $1 your first month after your trial expires.

Perfect for creators on a budget who are looking to sell their products directly from their social media accounts.

Etsy

The go-to place for selling unique products, very competitive.

Etsy, with over 80 million active customers, is an attractive platform for selling unique products. It offers advantages like an established customer base, free and easy store setup, access to seller tools, a supportive community, and a good learning environment for new sellers. However, challenges include intense competition among 4.3 million sellers, higher fees (including a $0.20 listing fee, a 5% transaction fee, and a $0.25 Direct Checkout fee),

The introduction of dropshipping may dilute the uniqueness of products, limited branding opportunities, and the risk of store closure by Etsy without ownership rights.

CarbonMade

Allows you to build for free, but you have to pay to launch.

CarbonMade is a portfolio platform that caters especially to creatives like photographers, illustrators, motion designers, graphic designers, and copywriters.

CarbonMade is not free but it provides you with a free trial to help you get started on the platform and only have you pay once you are ready to launch.

Making it a great option for creators who are not looking to commit immediately.

Benefits include:

1. Unlimited Uploads: Carbonmade allows for unlimited uploads of images, HD videos, audio, PDFs, and more, without any limits.
2. Customizable and Unique: Unlike other platforms that limit your portfolio to a few templates, Carbonmade offers a mix & match approach, allowing for a unique website that reflects your work’s uniqueness.
3. No Coding Required: Everything on Carbonmade can be managed through a drag & drop interface, eliminating the need for coding skills.
4. Hosting Included: The service includes hosting as well as a sub-domain, with no hidden costs, keeping the process simple.
5. Unlimited Free Trial: Carbonmade offers an unlimited free trial without requiring a credit card. You only pay when you decide to go live with your site.

Making the Most of Your Portfolio Website

Emphasize the uniqueness of your work through creative layout and design choices. Regularly update images and content to keep your portfolio fresh and engaging.

Treat Your Portfolio Like Your Brand

Treating your portfolio like your brand is about more than just showcasing your work; it’s about strategically presenting yourself in a way that resonates with your target audience, reflects your professional identity, and helps you achieve your career goals.

People buy people, not products. So be unique.

Effective Portfolio Presentation

To excel in presenting your portfolio effectively, highlight your top work prominently and categorize projects for easy navigation. Elevate visual appeal with quality images and engaging descriptions. Captivate attention by integrating multimedia such as videos or animations. Showcase expertise through client testimonials or case studies.

Regularly Update Your Portfolio

Updating your portfolio regularly is crucial. It showcases your current skills, keeps visitors engaged, and signals freshness to search engines, potentially boosting rankings. Aim to add new work every few months based on completed projects or milestones to maintain relevance and highlight growth.

Conclusion

In summary, showcasing your work through a portfolio is essential for professionals across various industries. It not only boosts your professional image, allows you to showcase your skills and expertise but also has the potential to create a stream of revenue.

There are several free platforms available that can help you create an impressive portfolio website. For freelance writers, Journo Portfolio and WordPress are ideal platforms, while designers can benefit from efficient platforms like Clippings.me. Photographers can turn to platforms like Behance, Dribble and Unsplash.

These portfolio websites offer customizable resume templates, analytics and performance metrics, and user-friendly interfaces. To make the most of your portfolio website, ensure effective presentation strategies and regularly update your work.

Whether you’re a writer, designer, or photographer, these free portfolio websites are a great way to showcase your work and attract potential clients or employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a portfolio website for free?

Yes, you can design a portfolio website for free using platforms like Clippings.me, Dribble, or WordPress. While free options offer basic features, upgrading to a paid plan unlocks advanced functionalities. Leverage free templates and tools for an attractive portfolio.

What is the best free online portfolio?

Among the top free online portfolio platforms are Behance, Dribbble, and Carbonmade. These sites offer customizable templates for effective work showcasing. Prioritize your needs like design options and sharing features when selecting. Research each platform to find the one that aligns with your goals and work type.

Which free website builder is best for a portfolio?

Discovering the ideal free website builder for your portfolio can be game-changing. If you’re a designer I recommend looking at Behance and Creative Market. If you’re a writer I would recommend looking at Medium or SubStack. If you are a photographer or videographer, definitely look at Artlist (videos) and Unsplash (photos). You can both showcase and sell your work on these platforms.

What is the best website to make a portfolio?

When considering the best website for your portfolio, popular choices like Behance, Dribbble, and Adobe Portfolio stand out. Select a platform tailored to your profession, ensuring it offers design flexibility and user-friendly features for showcasing your work effectively and professionally.