One of the biggest drawbacks of freelancing is the need to search for projects. What would you do if your existing customers stopped providing recurring work? With a website, you can position yourself professionally and stay competitive in a gig economy. As we live in an incredibly global society, no freelancer can afford to overlook this tool. Discover how to build an attractive website in our guide.
Even if you start with the bare minimum, it is still better than nothing. The art of self-presentation online is worth mastering even if you are pushed for time and/or money. Templates make website building an easy task, for more details check Boxmode.com and find out how you can do it for free. It is an important life skill that lets you build your assets gradually.
How to Present Yourself Professionally Online?
A personal website deserves as much attention as a resume. It must communicate what you do and what makes you different from the competition. Building a site for your portfolio may seem daunting, and some freelancers wonder if it is worth the effort. In reality, you can build a site affordably and succeed if your content is well-organized.
The Bare Essentials
Creating a decent website does not require massive investment or plenty of time. You can begin with a single landing page describing two things: what you do and how to reach you (e.g., via social media, email, or contact form). Your personal website is your resume and the centerpiece of your online presence — a place where potential customers find you and learn about your work.
Optimize Your Virtual Portfolio for SEO
To gain online visibility, optimize your website for search engines. If you have no experience with SEO, do not be daunted — there are plenty of plugins and tools to help you. Begin by identifying keywords that can drive traffic to your site. Include them in your content naturally to rise in search results.
Competing with giants like Upwork may seem insurmountable. Yet, even one hour of keyword research may bring 1-2 new leads that will help you build your network over time. Many freelancers find work through referrals, so one success could potentially lead to multiple projects in the long run. Here are three tips to boost your SEO:
- Be clear about your positioning and competitive advantages.
- Consider the words your potential clients are most likely to type into a search engine.
- Include case studies on a separate page and add relevant keywords to them, too.
Tips for Including Personal information
At least one section of your landing page must serve as an introduction. Explain who you are and what you do, and make the description client-centered. Like a resume, your personal website must focus on the benefits you bring to your clients, so almost every word must have a purpose.
At the same time, it doesn’t have to be all about business. After all, people hire people. Add a timeline or a few fun facts to make the site more personalized.
Put yourself in the shoes of your prospective client. What could make them want to work with you? If you find it hard to generate ideas, contact the people you have previously worked with. Ask them about your competitive advantages. Remember to include positive testimonials or press mentions, too.
Use a Portfolio to Show off Your Accomplishments
If you do not have much experience, so your portfolio is too thin, you can still make your website attractive. First, consider offering reduced rates. Secondly, include “fake projects” — work completed for imaginary tasks that showcases your skills. Make your pretend projects look real, but do not present them as paid work.
You could also do some work before contacting potential clients and send them the final product or a mockup. This way, you will either land new clients and industry contacts or have something new to include in your portfolio.
Feature Client Testimonials
Testimonials are important because they allow you to leverage the power of social proof. Your visitors are more likely to trust the opinions of their peers rather than your self-promotion. Testimonials build credibility. Feature them throughout the site to give users an idea of what it is like to work with you.
Of course, you may not have a stream of raving clients yet, and you cannot build it without showing excellent results. Before beginning every new project, make sure you are clear about the client’s goals and expectations. Upon completion, ask them for some feedback. Find out why they chose you, what they liked best about your work, and what companies they would recommend you to.
Include Clear Contact Information
Make sure potential clients have no difficulty finding your contact details on the site. Include them in the footer and add a Contact button to the navigation bar. It must stand out from other links. At the end of every page, add a CTA (call-to-action) encouraging visitors to contact you. Provide an excellent user experience and clear communication methods. Remember that many people use mobile devices, so make sure your site is responsive on smaller screens.
Start Small
Website building does not require in-depth knowledge of coding. Thanks to free templates, you can get your landing page live quickly and provide a superior UX. If you do not have time or money for a full-scale website, start small and add on from there. The most important things are showcasing your skills and accomplishments and including clear contact information.
If you can afford a unique design, hire a professional. An expert will enhance your positioning and boost conversions. A website built by a professional designer will help you gain confidence, raise your rates, and land more clients. However, even a single-page template will help you get started as long as you fill it with effective and optimized content. To sum up, there is an option for any budget. Good luck!
