By Josh Murphy
Creating a portfolio website is essential for creatives, professionals, and businesses looking to showcase their best work online. But with so many competitors, how do you ensure yours stands out from the crowd? At Sanders & Jay, we believe the key is stylish layouts, curated content, and a minimalist approach that lets your work speak for itself. Here’s how to create a portfolio that grabs attention, reflects your brand, and drives meaningful opportunities.
Let Your Work Do the Talking
A powerful portfolio website doesn’t clutter the screen with excessive text—it lets the visuals take centre stage. Whether you’re an individual or business, the goal is to present your best work clearly and confidently. Avoid lengthy descriptions or distracting elements that compete for attention; instead, use short, concise captions only where necessary to give your audience just the right amount of context. Full-screen images and sleek grid layouts can effectively highlight your work and create visual impact, captivating visitors from the moment they arrive.
Only Show Your Best Work
When it comes to portfolios, less is more. Quality trumps quantity every time. A curated selection of your finest projects makes a stronger impression than overwhelming visitors with every piece you’ve ever created. By showcasing only your most impressive and relevant work, you ensure that each project aligns with the professional image you want to project. Think of your portfolio as a highlight reel—fewer, high-impact projects help your audience remember you more vividly. Regularly updating your portfolio by removing outdated content keeps it fresh and aligned with your latest achievements.
Use Stylish and Intuitive Layouts
Your portfolio should not only look stunning, but also offer a smooth and intuitive user experience. Stylish layouts— like masonry grids, split screens, or full-page scrolling designs—create an engaging visual flow that draws visitors in. It’s essential to balance creativity with usability; your audience should be able to browse your work easily, without confusion or distraction. Responsive design ensures your portfolio looks just as good on a smartphone as it does on a large monitor, creating an inclusive experience for all users. Ample whitespace and clean layouts can direct attention to your work while preventing the page from feeling overcrowded.
Reduce the Copy and Keep It Simple
Long blocks of text can distract from the visual impact of your work. Your portfolio website should prioritise visuals over words, offering only brief project descriptions or captions that explain the essentials: the goal, your role, and the outcome. This minimalist approach not only keeps visitors focused, but also creates a professional, polished impression that resonates with your audience. Use typography strategically—simple, bold headings combined with clean fonts can enhance your design without the need for excessive text. As our Head of Design, Steve Eggs, puts it, “Simplicity is key. Our discovery phase allows us to find out what makes each business unique, ensuring that their portfolio reflects their true brand promise.”
Create a Memorable First Impression
First impressions are crucial, especially online. Your homepage is often the first interaction visitors will have with your portfolio, so it needs to leave a lasting impact. Use a bold hero image, a featured project, or a captivating video to grab attention immediately. Additionally, your site’s colours, typography, and design elements should reflect your brand identity, creating a cohesive and memorable look. A streamlined navigation menu ensures visitors can explore your portfolio easily without unnecessary clicks or confusion, guiding them through your curated showcase effortlessly.
Optimise for Speed and SEO
No matter how stunning your portfolio is, it won’t succeed if it loads slowly or isn’t optimised for search engines. Ensure your images and videos are optimised for fast loading, especially on mobile devices, so that visitors can engage with your work seamlessly. Implementing SEO best practices—like including relevant keywords, alt text for images, and proper meta descriptions—boosts your site’s visibility in search results, making it easier for potential clients and collaborators to find you.
Include a Clear Call to Action
A portfolio website isn’t just a showcase; it’s also an opportunity to connect. Whether you want to attract clients, collaborators, or employers, including clear CTAs throughout your site is essential. Strategically placed buttons like “Get in Touch” or “See More” encourage visitors to take the next step, whether that’s contacting you, following your social profiles, or booking a meeting. Position your CTAs throughout your site—on the homepage, project pages, and in the footer—so they’re always easy to access and guide your audience toward meaningful engagement.
Stand Out with a Curated and Impactful Portfolio
At Sanders & Jay, we know that a standout portfolio website is more than just a collection of work—it’s a carefully curated digital space that tells your story, reflects your brand, and engages your audience. By focusing on minimal copy, intuitive layouts, and your most impressive projects, you can create a portfolio that is visually striking and highly functional.
With careful attention to usability, speed, and clear CTAs, your portfolio will not only impress visitors but also unlock exciting new opportunities—whether from press, collaborators, or employers.
Ready to Build a Portfolio Website That Makes an Impact?
At Sanders & Jay, we specialise in designing portfolio websites that let your work speak for itself. Our expert team works closely with you to create a stylish, user-friendly digital space that showcases your talent and drives real results. Let’s collaborate and build a portfolio that helps you stand out from the crowd.
Contact us today to start your project!
