Creating your own portfolio website is one of the smartest moves you can make for your career.
But for many professionals, the first attempt often misses the mark — not because of bad design, but because of small, avoidable mistakes that hurt credibility and visibility.
Here are the five most common ones we see at Establish Online, and how to avoid them.
❌ 1. Making It About Design, Not Purpose
A portfolio isn’t just decoration — it’s communication.
Many people get lost in fonts and colors but forget to guide visitors toward the goal: showing what you do and why it matters. A clean, structured layout that tells your story always works better than over-designed pages.
❌ 2. Forgetting Mobile Users
Over 70% of visitors now view websites from their phones.
If your portfolio doesn’t look great on mobile, recruiters and clients won’t stay long enough to read it. Always test your site on multiple devices — or let professionals like us build a fully responsive version for you.
❌ 3. Leaving Out Contact Information
It happens more often than you’d think.
People browse a beautiful site… and there’s no clear way to get in touch. Always include a simple Contact page and visible calls-to-action (like “Hire Me” or “Work With Me”) on every page.
❌ 4. Using Generic Text or Placeholder Content
Your website should sound like you.
Generic “About Me” sections and vague descriptions make you forgettable. Use real examples, measurable results, and a confident tone that reflects your work and personality.
❌ 5. Never Updating It
A portfolio isn’t a one-time project.
It should evolve with your career. Add new work regularly, update your bio, and refresh visuals to keep your site relevant and engaging.
🚀 Build It Right From the Start
At Establish Online, we help individuals — freelancers, professionals, and students — create portfolio websites that not only look great but also convert visitors into opportunities.
From structure and layout to hosting and optimization, we handle everything so you can focus on your career.
Ready to avoid these mistakes and build your site the right way?
👉 Get started today here.
