How to Build a Portfolio Website Using PHP and WordPress
Creating a portfolio website can be a daunting task if you’ve never done so. In this article, we will discuss some of the best practices for building a sleek, modern website that you can feature your work on. This article will also cover the basics of using WordPress as a content management system (CMS) to build your site – the two most popular and powerful tools in existence for those who are looking to create an online presence.
Choose A Suitable Domain
You’ll want to pick a.com,.net, or.org TLD (top-level domain) for your new website. These are the three most common and most trusted domain extensions in existence, meaning your target audience – potential customers, clients, or readers – will more likely be able to find the website if they use one of these TLDs. For WordPress users, you can also use the Free blog (https://wordpress.com) from WordPress.org to host your portfolio.
A website’s domain is important. It’s the address of your site. And just like any other type of address, a suitably selected and – more importantly – memorable domain will make your website easy to find. Take a little bit of advice from the pros and pick a memorable domain that’s relevant to your website’s content. If you want to rank high in the search engine results for any relevant keywords, you’ll need to take the time to build a reputable domain. Avoid using generic words or phrases in your domain name if you want to secure brand recognition. These words or phrases can be searched and found on the web, but they haven’t been used internally by other websites – so your chances of appearing in the top search results are slim. Instead, try to incorporate these keywords into your content.
Create A Blog
You’ll want to create a dedicated blog space for your website. This is where you can post news articles, feature interviews with industry experts, and generate content for your site to feature.
A blog is a great way to engage with your audience. If your new site is focusing on one particular subject area, then a blog can serve as an authoritative source on that subject. Alternatively, you can use a blog to provide valuable information on related subjects. For instance, if you’re launching a website focused on graphic design, you can use the blog portion of your site to provide tips on how to design a logo or brand identity. The choice is entirely up to you. However, some themes come with a built-in blog function, so you don’t need to extend WordPress’ functionality by manually adding each blog post. You can also use a tool like Better Blogs to create and maintain your blog. It’s free and open-source, and it automates the process of creating and publishing content to multiple platforms (including WordPress).
Consider Themes And Plugins
When choosing a template for your site, you’ll want to ensure that it’s easy to navigate and comprehensive enough to meet your needs. Also, make sure you’re using a theme which is mobile-friendly. Since over half of the world’s population now use mobile devices to access the web, you’ll want to make sure your theme is flexible enough to fit all screen sizes.
Additionally, you’ll want to look for a theme which is secure and has a reputable developer behind it. It’s not always easy for third-party developers to maintain a high quality site when building a portfolio, so you’ll want to make sure the theme you choose is well maintained. Last but not least, search for plugins which can expand your theme’s functionality.
Get A Professional Looking Website
Once you have a functional blog, you can use the remaining portion of your site to feature your work. For a truly professional look, you’ll want to get a designer to create a mockup of how your site will appear. You can also use a tool like Unyson to create a fully responsive (viewable on any device) portfolio website.
Additionally, you may want to consider getting a designer to create a pro style business card for you. These cards are the perfect way to showcase your work and allow people to learn more about you. They can also be used to make professional calls or meetings – so do consider getting a set of these cards.
Build A Social Media Following
To build an audience and gain credibility, you’ll want to consider using the popular social media platforms to share content from your site. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are the three big players when it comes to social media, and they’re ideal platforms for adding value to your publicity campaign.
Each of these platforms has a distinct audience, making them an ideal choice for content sharing. For example, if you’re a fashion stylist, you can use Twitter to share your latest designs with the world. Or, if you’ve got an interesting blog post, you can use Instagram to show your followers a glimpse of what you’re writing about. Facebook, on the other hand, is the ultimate platform for building a community around a brand or product. If you’ve got a Facebook page for your business, you can use it to promote your products and services, share inspiration and thought leadership, and even hold discussions with your followers.
Regular Updates
Keeping your audience engaged and interested in your content is one of the most important aspects of any type of promotion. To do this, you’ll want to ensure that you’re posting regularly and providing important new content at least once a week. If your content is getting a little bit dull, then consider making a small change or addition to spice it up a bit. For example, you can add an interesting twist to your posts by including a graphic or adding a new section to your website.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that your audience loves to feel that they’re learning. If you want to encourage your audience to come back for more, then consider adding more value to your content. When done right, a portfolio website can become a valuable asset for an individual or business – one which can be used to achieve professional results and gain valuable kpis (keepsake pieces).
WordPress is the most popular CMS in existence, with over 80 million websites using it around the world. Its popularity is largely due to its flexibility and ease of use. Additionally, WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning anyone can contribute to its development which makes it even more appealing. For those looking to establish a professional online presence, WordPress is the clear choice.