5 Mistakes Businesses Make When Building a Portfolio Website (And How to Avoid Them)
Is your portfolio website failing to bring in new clients?
It might be because it's full of common mistakes that are easy to fix!
A bad portfolio can send potential clients running, even if your work is top-notch. But don't worry, creating an effective website isn't rocket science. With just a few tweaks, you can make sure your site showcases your work in the best possible light.
In this article, you'll learn about the biggest mistakes businesses make with their portfolio websites and how to avoid them so you can build a site that truly shines.
Mistake 1: Overcomplicating the Design
Keep it sleek, keep it chic.
Sometimes, in an attempt to impress, businesses create a website that’s visually overwhelming.
Too many fonts, colors, and wild layouts can make your site hard to navigate and distract from all your beautiful work.
How to Avoid It:
Choose a simple, elegant design that lets your work be the star of the show.
Stick to a harmonious color scheme and a couple of font styles to keep everything looking neat and cohesive.
Think of your website as a beautiful gallery wall that enhances, not overwhelms, your art.
Mistake 2: Skimping on Content Quality
Yes, pictures are worth a thousand words…
But the words on your site matter too!
Text that’s peppered with errors or as bland as last week's leftovers can turn a great website visit into a sour one, and fast.
How to Avoid It:
Invest in top-notch copywriting that reflects your unique brand voice.
Make sure your text is engaging, informative, and mistake-free.
This helps visitors connect with your work and understand why your business is the perfect choice for them.
Mistake 3: Overlooking the User Experience
A hard-to-navigate website is like a confusing map at a theme park—it’s frustrating and spoils the fun.
If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for easily, they might leave and never come back.
How to Avoid It:
Organize your site with clear, intuitive navigation.
Keep key information like your portfolio and contact details easy to find. Regularly gather feedback from users and make adjustments to improve their experience.
Mistake 4: Forgetting About Mobile Users
In 2024, a portfolio that isn’t mobile-friendly is like using a cassette tape for your favorite playlist—outdated and inconvenient.
If your site doesn't display correctly on smartphones and tablets, you’re missing out on a huge audience.
How to Avoid It:
Make sure your design adapts gracefully to any screen size.
Regularly check how your site looks on different devices to ensure the navigation, images and text all function properly, no matter where it’s viewed.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Not optimizing your website for Google is like throwing a fabulous party but forgetting to send out the invites.
If people can’t find your site, all your hard work won’t get the audience it deserves!
SEO helps you show up in search results, drawing more visitors to your digital doorstep.
How to Avoid It:
Sprinkle relevant keywords throughout your site content, especially in strategic spots like titles and headings.
You should also keep your site’s content lively and current by updating your portfolio and posting new blog entries regularly.
What Should I Do First?
Putting together a portfolio website is all about the details.
By steering clear of these common pitfalls, your website will not only look beautiful but also drive business, ensuring it’s the perfect performer for your brand’s digital stage.
Book a free consultation call with us NOW and we’ll assess the clear direction you can take to get you results that help your business grow and thrive!