- Nesia Sadeh
- Sep 30
- 7 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
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Building portfolio websites is exciting until you hit the question of what to actually include. Do you throw in every project? Keep it minimal? Add long descriptions or let the visuals do the work?
A design portfolio, photography site, writing collection or modeling page often runs into the same challenge—showing too much at once or not enough of what counts. Here’s what to include to create an online portfolio that feels balanced, intentional and client-ready.
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What should a portfolio include?
Creating a website like a clean, image-focused gallery or a more interactive, story-driven portfolio is easy with a website builder, which handles the technical side. But right after you have a portfolio name idea, you’ll need to decide what to feature and how to present it so your site reflects your work and expertise. Here’s what to include to make your site work for you.
01. Bio with skills and expertise
People want to know who they’re dealing with before they trust your work. A simple, honest introduction can make all the difference. Skip the jargon and introduce yourself in a way that shows both your expertise and personality. Instead of saying “I’m a designer with 10 years of experience,” explain what drives your work or the type of problems you solve. This makes it easier for potential clients or employers to remember you as more than just another professional in your field.
Learn more about how to make a portfolio for college.
Think of your “About Me” as your elevator pitch online. One or two strong paragraphs are enough to give context without losing attention. Add a professional headshot or a casual photo that feels authentic, not staged. If you work in a creative field, a playful detail like your favorite tool or quirky habit can make you relatable. It’s not about oversharing, it’s about adding just enough personality so people feel they already know you before they reach out.
Check out these interior design portfolio examples for design tips and inspiration
02. Best work examples in high quality
Select 5–10 projects that clearly show the type of work you want clients or employers to hire you for. Be strategic: if your focus is branding, feature your most compelling brand identity work; if you create illustrations, start with the pieces that best express your style and skill. Each project should reinforce the story of your expertise and the results you deliver.
If you’re new in the field, include personal projects, class assignments or mock briefs that show your skills and thought process. Mix different approaches, mediums or problem-solving methods to give your portfolio depth and make it feel complete even with fewer projects.
Explore these photography portfolio examples for design inspiration
03. High-quality visuals that impress
Your project images are the first thing visitors notice, so make them count. Use large, crisp visuals that load quickly and look sharp on all devices. Avoid blurry or poorly lit photos—clarity and professionalism matter more than quantity.
Organize images in a gallery format that makes sense for your work. Group similar projects together or create separate sections for different types of work. For example, a photographer might separate portraits, landscapes and commercial shoots, while a designer could group branding, UI and illustration projects.
Include multiple angles or views when relevant, like close-ups, process shots or before-and-after comparisons to give clients a full understanding of your skills. Optimize file sizes to keep your site fast without sacrificing quality.
See how these animation portfolio examples use layout and style to stand out
04. Project details with process and results
Start with the basics: project name, client, location and date. Then explain the thinking behind your work. Add a short breakdown of the problem, your process and the result. Answer key questions: What challenge were you solving? How did you approach it? What impact did your solution have? Two or three sentences are enough to show strategic thinking, not just aesthetics.
Use storytelling to add depth. Clients want to see how you work because it sets expectations. A designer can share sketches and iterations, a developer before-and-after screenshots, a writer drafts or research insights. This transparency makes your portfolio more engaging, giving visitors a clear sense of your approach and problem-solving skills.
Take a look at these industrial design portfolio examples to learn what works well
05. Easy-to-find contact info
You could have the best portfolio in the world but if no one knows how to contact you, it’s useless. Your contact section should be visible, clear and simple. Many portfolio templates already have built-in contact buttons or forms, so take advantage of those and place them where people expect to see them. Add a button that leads to your email or a contact form that takes less than a minute to fill out. Don’t bury it in the footer or hide it behind several clicks.
If you want to encourage specific actions, spell it out. Instead of a generic “Get in touch,” try “Let’s talk about your project” or “Book a free consultation.” The wording sets expectations and makes it feel like a natural next step. Adding multiple options, like email, LinkedIn or a scheduling tool gives people the flexibility to reach you in the way that suits them best.
Explore writing portfolio examples to get ideas for your own site’s design
06. Testimonials or client reviews
Social proof builds trust faster than anything you can write about yourself. A simple quote from a client saying you were professional, creative or reliable carries a lot of weight. Add testimonials next to relevant projects or dedicate a section to them so visitors see proof that others value your work.
If you don’t have formal testimonials yet, start small. Ask past clients for one-sentence feedback or even use a LinkedIn recommendation. Visual industries can benefit from showing logos of brands you’ve worked with. The goal is to provide reassurance that others have worked with you and had a positive experience.
07. Blog and industry insights
Include posts that go beyond surface-level updates. Write about challenges you faced in real projects, the decisions you made and the results you achieved. For instance, a designer could break down a rebranding project explaining the thought process behind color choices, typography and layout decisions. A photographer might share a behind-the-scenes look at a shoot detailing lighting setups, editing techniques or client collaboration.
These insights position you as a knowledgeable professional and give potential clients or employers a sense of how you work. Consistently adding fresh content also boosts SEO making your portfolio website easier to find. Short tutorials, case studies or even reflections on trends in your industry can show that you stay current and actively contribute to your field.
08. Press mentions and features
Add press coverage, interviews or quotes from industry roundups to build credibility. Include logos or links from magazines, podcasts or reputable blogs that have featured your work. Even smaller mentions, like a community newsletter or local art show, show that others recognize your skills.
Present these in a “Featured In” section with clean logos or clickable links. This acts as social proof giving visitors confidence in your expertise and professionalism.
09. Personal projects and passion work
Not everything needs to be client-driven. Personal projects reveal creativity and initiative. An illustrator might share a self-started zine, a developer could post a fun side app, a fashion model might display styled shoots done with friends.
These projects often show the truest version of your skills because there’s no client brief. They can also help you attract the type of work you want—people see what you make for fun and may want to hire you for something similar.
Discover design inspiration from these model portfolio examples
10. Testimonials from clients and collaborators
Hearing directly from people you’ve worked with is one of the strongest ways to show your value. Short, specific quotes with a name, photo or company logo instantly make your portfolio feel more trustworthy and professional.
Go deeper than simple praise. Highlight feedback that shows measurable results, problem-solving or how your approach made a difference. For instance, “Alex streamlined a complex project and delivered ahead of schedule, exceeding expectations” tells a visitor exactly why working with you is worthwhile. Place testimonials near the projects they relate to or in a dedicated section to guide visitors naturally toward proof of your skills.
What to include on your portfolio homepage
You can make your homepage stand out by featuring a signature project or two at the top. Include your name or brand, a clear tagline describing what you do and a call-to-action like “View projects” or “Get in touch.” Keep the design clean and focused so visitors immediately understand your style and expertise.
Organize key sections like “About,” “Projects,” and “Contact” for easy navigation and consider a mini-gallery or featured projects area to give a snapshot of your work. Using well-designed website templates can help you achieve a professional portfolio layout, consistent typography and balanced spacing, making your homepage both visually appealing and easy to explore.
Learn more: best website builder for portfolio
Portfolio design and usability
When figuring out how to make a portfolio, your site’s design should support your work, not overshadow it. Stick to a clean layout, consistent typography and a color palette that doesn’t compete with your projects. White space helps your work stand out and makes the site easy to scan. A cluttered design can make visitors leave before they even see your projects.
Functionality matters just as much. Your portfolio web design should load quickly, look great on mobile and make navigation effortless. Test it on different devices to make sure nothing breaks. Think about the user experience: can someone get from the homepage to your contact form in two clicks? If not, simplify it.
Add small interactive details
Little touches give your site personality without distracting from your work. Hover effects on project images, smooth scrolling animations or a dark/light mode toggle show attention to detail. An architect could use subtle line-drawing animations, while a fashion portfolio might reveal behind-the-scenes shots on hover. These don’t need to be flashy—just enough to make visitors remember browsing your site.
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