I've reviewed more than 1k+ portfolios while working as a VFX supervisor,
and more than 50 last week, here on Tech Twitter.
How to create a web development/design portfolio that converts customers.
A thread ↓
To create a great portfolio you have to:
- Be relevant.
- Showcase your best stuff first.
- Present your projects properly.
We will go through all of these points and something more.
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Be relevant:
In your journey, a great and well-curated portfolio is what sets apart a new customer, and your emails getting trashed.
A portfolio capable of showcasing your projects, skills, and expertise, will hook your users’ interest and build trust.
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One self-made project is worth tens of projects made following a tutorial.
Make sure to have original stuff in your portfolio, made by you, your brain, and StackOverflow.
You don't need hundreds of projects though, you only need 3 relevant projects.
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Do you want to develop SaaS? Develop a Netflix clone.
Do you want to make landing pages? Make landing pages.
Do you want to design UIs? Showcase interactive designs.
Showcasing projects relevant to the needs of your customers, exponentially improves your conversions.
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If you have more than 3 projects:
- Showcase the best stuff first.
- Showcase your projects exhaustively.
Listing your best projects first and presenting them properly, hooks your viewer’s attention increasing the perceived value of your skills.
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How to present your projects properly?
Make sure every detail is curated.
Developed a landing page? Make sure to explain why you've made that button red
Developed a SaaS? Makes sure to mention your stack
Demonstrate to your users you know what you're talking about.
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Should I include bad stuff?
As long as you are showing your kickass stuff first, you are allowed to do whatever you want on your portfolio.
Just be sure to stay relevant, and give the right context to the showcased projects.
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Should I include an about section?
Yes and no.
If you think is relevant: yes.
Although I'm pretty sure you can communicate everything you need to communicate, having the right design and copy on your pages.
Of course, don't forget to link your social networks!
Beautiful or ugly, doesn't really matter, be smart while building your portfolio.
Remember:
- Be relevant and consistent with your target needs.
- Best stuff first.
- Showcase your projects extensively.
- Communicate the right message.
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Thank you for reading!
I'm Vitto 👋
Helping developers monetizing their skills
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Learning web development is the best investment you can make.
I've seen people rising from the dust, friends paying parents' retirement, and humans traveling around the world, between countries and seas: with a laptop, a backpack, and some MERN Stack.
What are you waiting for?
If you want to learn how to make money as a developer, read:
"Ten++ Ways to Make Money as a Developer" by @florinpop1705
I'm surprised!
Lots of developers don't know that you can make money with Open Source Software.
I've met people making a living just by contributing to projects on GitHub.
Let me tell you how.
How to make money with Open Source:
A thread (not only) for developers ↓
Open Source is a huge market, and there are lots of methods to monetize your contributions
- Bug hunting programs
- Support
- Associated Content
- Double Licensing
- Donations
- SaaS
All of them are effective methods to build a good side revenue as a developer.
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Bug Hunting Programs
Also known as Bug Bounty is a way of earning money by
- Finding errors and reporting them.
- Solving Errors and submitting a pull request.
There are huge companies out there ready to pay you real money to find and solve bugs in their products.