Building a Standout Web Developer Portfolio
May 24, 2024
5 mins
Landing your dream job starts with building a portfolio that catches the eye of potential clients. That said, your developer portfolio is about more than simply displaying projects. It's an opportunity to leave a lasting impression by showcasing your creativity and passion for coding. Here's how to build a portfolio that makes you stand out in five simple steps.
Know who you're targeting
Before you start creating your portfolio, think about who you're trying to attract. Are you looking for a freelance project? Do you want to work for a small startup or a large corporation? Is your specialty in front-end development or do you have experience in back-end as well?
Knowing your audience will help you showcase the skills and projects that will be most relevant to potential clients or employers. Tailor it to appeal to the companies or clients you want to work with.
Power tip
The wider you cast your net, the more difficult it will be to create a cohesive portfolio. Instead of trying to attract absolutely everyone, focus on a few industries that you want to work in.
Showcase your best work
The most important aspect of a any portfolio is showing clients what you can do. It's your chance to prove your skills and expertise in a visually appealing and user-friendly way.
Choose projects that highlight your strengths and skills. This gives potential clients and employers a clear understanding of what you're capable of and what they can expect from you.
Include a variety of projects, such as websites, web apps, and mobile apps, to showcase your technical abilities in different areas. Make sure to include any special features or functionalities you implemented in these projects.
Power tip
Showing variety is great, but make sure you don't go overboard. Include only the types of projects you want to work on in the future.
Tell a story
Besides showing off past projects and technical skills, your portfolio is also a great tool to tell a story about yourself as a developer. It's what helps you stand out in the job market and attract the attention of potential employers.
Start by thinking about your unique strengths and skills. Use your portfolio to answer questions like:
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Who are you? What's your background, what qualities set you apart from other developers?
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What's your professional experience?
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What are your key skills and technologies?
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What was your role in the projects you're showcasing?
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What problems did you face while working on projects and how did you solve them?
Power tip
Telling your story helps you stand out by letting potential clients and employers connect to you on a more personal level.
Let clients see your work in action
Just as you would create custom pages for a client, consider creating them for your portfolio as well. This helps you stand out from all the template portfolios out there and also shows your work in action.
Instead of only browsing through past projects, your potential clients now get to experience something you've created. By having a custom site, you're making your portfolio into a project that clients get to see first hand. Your portfolio becomes an example of your work in practice.
Power tip
You want to stand out for the right reasons, so make sure your portfolio site is user-friendly. Make navigation intuitive and don't forget about mobile responsiveness.
Sprinkle in some social proof
Social proof is a powerful tool in building trust. Nothing speaks to your skills better than happy clients and people who have worked alongside you on a project.
Equip your web developer portfolio with a section dedicated to client testimonials, case studies, recommendations from colleagues, or awards and recognition you've received for your work. Including these shows potential clients and employers that you're a highly regarded professional.
Power tip
Just as you should select your best work, you should also include only the best testimonials. If you include too many, you might overwhelm the client and make them skip the section altogether.
And what about your docs?
In web development, everything you create gets judged on functionality and appearance. And your docs are no exception.
After you've impressed your client with a media-rich, beautiful portfolio, you want to keep that momentum of excitement going. Good news is, you don't have to spend hours formatting a document only to end up with a boring, static PDF.
Instead, keep wowing your clients with docs that look as good as a website, complete with responsive features and eSignatures. Collect a deposit, set up a payment plan, collect extra info, and set up a kick-off call directly from your documents. All this and more is inside Better Proposals - all you need to do is sign up and see for yourself.
"I'm awesome, give me the job" doesn't work
But showcasing your skills with documents that look, feel, and sound great does. Take Better Proposals for a spin - the first 14 days are free.