An online portfolio is a platform where you can display, share, and sell your work to the public. This website creates the first impression of your work to a potential client. The portfolio website should be attractive, stylish, and impressive. You can use different open-source content management systems (CMS) to create custom websites.
The reasons why you should have an online portfolio website are:
- A portfolio website is a professional way to display and showcase your work.
- These websites can increase your works visibility and online presence.
- An online portfolio webpage can improve your website’s search engine ranking.
Create a Portfolio Website
Before building an online portfolio, you should have a domain name, web hosting plan, and CMS. We believe that you have a domain name that is easy to remember, and using our Standard or Managed Web Hosting Plan. To create your custom portfolio website using Joomla, follow the below steps.
1) JOOMLA INSTALLATION
We offer Joomla web hosting plans for both Standard and Managed Hosting Plans. Joomla is a free, open-source content management system that helps to build web sites and powerful online applications. Joomla separates into front-end templates, back-end templates, and they are easy to use and extendable.
Please note that you should have cPanel access to install Joomla from Softaculous. You can get your cPanel username and password from your welcome email. If you have not received the credentials or missed it somehow, you can contact our support team via live chat or support ticket.
2) CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE TEMPLATE
A template not just affect the way your website appears, but also plays a significant role in its Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Page Load Speed, mobile optimization, and more. You can choose a pre-built template or build one if you have development skills. You can search for a theme that suits your site, and You can search for the best themes from different theme developers, such as:
- ThemeForest – https://themeforest.net/category/cms-themes/joomla?term=Portfolio
- JoomDev – https://www.joomdev.com/products/templates
- GavickPro – https://www.gavick.com/joomla-templates/tag,portfolio
- YouJoomla – https://www.youjoomla.com/portfolio-joomla-templates.html
- ThemeXpert – https://www.themexpert.com/joomla-templates
The following mentioned themes are the recommended portfolio themes for Joomla:
Buckle – $58
The Buckle is a multi-concept Joomla template that helps to build a portfolio website in a snap. You can use any of the pre-built demos to make an active web page, and you don’t need any prior coding and developing knowledge.
Startup – $49
The Startup is one of the speedy and responsive Joomla templates for a business portfolio. You can purchase Startup and Quix together for $49. The Startup templates have many features, such as drag-and-drop development, Gantry 5 framework, smooth animation, typography control, and more.
Sciome – $48
Sciome is a professional, creative, clean, and responsive Joomla template for creating a portfolio and resume websites. For a personal portfolio, architect agencies, artworks, painter portfolio, freelance designer, and more, can use this theme.
Mumbrass – $39
Mumbrass is a clean, modern, unique, and elegant HTML Joomla templates for Photographers, designers, agencies, IT companies, and others. These templates are easy to customize and use.
Joomla provides thousands of themes, and you need to select the themes based on your website needs. Some of the Joomla Portfolio extensions are:
- TZ Portfolio + – free
- Advanced Portfolio Pro – Paid
- JUX Portfolio Pro – Paid
- Smart Portfolio – Paid
- WS – Portfolio – Paid
3) UPLOAD TEMPLATES
After downloading the suitable templates on your system from Joomla.org or other Joomla template sites, follow the below steps to upload the template into Joomla.
- Log in to the Joomla admin panel and navigate to the ‘Extensions’ tab.
- Select the ‘Manage’ option from the drop-down.
- Go to the ‘Upload Package File’ tab and choose the downloaded file and click the ‘Upload & Install’ button to install the template.
- Now, after the installation, you can see the templates under the Extensions >> Templates page.
- Select the portfolio template from the list of extensions and click the ‘star’ icon next to it.
- Now this template has set as the default template.
4) CREATE THE PORTFOLIO WEBSITE
As the phrase states,’ First impression is the best impression’, So it is essential to build a portfolio website that is unique and attractive. While building a portfolio website, you need to keep the following tips in mind.
Create a Logo for Your Site
A logo is an essential element to make your site look professional. There is no need to have fancy logos; instead, you can choose something simple and elegant that looks professional. If you don’t have designing skills, you can create a logo for free by using different online applications. If you want a customized logo, you can design one or hire a professional designer.
Use Crisp and Short Words
A client or employer spends only a short amount of time on a portfolio website. So, it is crucial to convey the work that you do in the first few seconds. It is always recommended to be specific and concise about every line you add to the homepage. Also, make sure that the data uploaded on your website is convenient to read. It is recommended to use a world-wide accepted color and font to write the content on your site. You should avoid distracting images, and awful type font on your website as this won’t give a professional look to your portfolio website.
Portfolio Showcase
About 80% of your portfolio website matters on how you showcase your previous work. The two essential things that you should keep in mind while showcasing your previous work are:
- Make sure you are displaying only your best works.
- Showcase the portfolio creatively and logically.
If you want to impress someone with your work, an eye-catching image is the fastest way, other than writing thousands of words. There are different types of image layout styles that you can use from in a Joomla template. For example, If you are using TZ Portfolio + Joomla extension, then you can use:
- Gaia Style – suits for any Photographer
- Art Gallery Layout – suits for any artists
- Besley Style – suits for any jobs
Add Testimonial
Always add reviews from your previous customers. You can build the credibility of your website effectively and faster by adding testimonials.
Contact Page
The contact page is a significant page that needs to be part of your portfolio site. The addition of the contact page not only make your website look professional, but also helps clients to communicate with you. The best practice for a contact page is:
- Email, Phone number
- Address
- Social Media links
- Other contact methods, such as Skype, Fax, etc.
- Contact form
Update Website Regularly
You need to update your website with your current works and upcoming works. You need to blog regularly to display your expertise. This process may be time-consuming, but it is recommended to follow this to make your website up-to-date.
Final Word!
A portfolio website is popular among designers, photographers, models, and others who work in creative fields. There are different Joomla themes and extensions that can be used to build a portfolio website with less or zero technical knowledge. A portfolio is an effective way to showcase your work. So, make sure that you create a unique and simple portfolio website.
Please contact our support team for any queries or questions.