Web Design Portfolio

pinkclouds

Any suggestions for how to build a web design portfolio?

So far I've been speculatively approaching small local businesses to offer web design but, alas, no one is interested so far.

As a SAHM of two, freelancing from home seems my best option - at least until my youngest reaches primary school age. However, it's difficult to get back into work when you've been away for a while and a portfolio would at least demonstrate my skills for the future (when my kids are older) even if it doesn't lead to sufficient work at present.

I can't use previous employment as examples as the sites have long since been redesigned and the code belonged to the companies and I do not have copies.

hsj2011

Have pm'd you

steve1980

Rather than pming you, I'll reply here to help others.

It's very hard building up something from scratch. I'm doing the same thing at the moment.

Create your own website, use sample of what you have already made. Offer to design a website for free but charge the hosting costs (if, like me, you offer that service).

You've done the right thing in asking local businesses. It's hard for companies due to the current conditions to spend money.

Create a Facebook page, Twitter account, post random things, offers you can provide, services you can provide.

Order some postcards, deliver them, provide landline, mobile numbers, a business email address (@yourwebsite.com). Do not use a free web based email account. One PC repairer recently put one through my door which had 2 mobile numbers and a Hotmail email address. If a company can't be bothered or afford a package which includes a single email address (most hosters offer a catch-all service) then it speaks volumes about the company.

If you would like more help feel free to pm me and I will provide you with some links for you to look at.

RedBern

I'm involved with a social enterprise, and we had our website designed by someone in a similar situation to you. She had nothing to show any potential customers, and did our website at a discounted rate - thus giving her something current to show to potential customers. We were delighted, so was she. She's had 2 other jobs as a result of her work with us. Why not see if there's any local volunteer groups that would need your services? Also, local clubs and societies - football clubs, tennis clubs - all could benefit from having a website - you need to show them how much they'd benefit!!

Contact your local chamber of trade or business group and see if there's any new business starting up in your town. Alternatively, have a look whether any new offices are open nearby and call on them. Good luck.

pinkclouds

steve1980 wrote: »

You've done the right thing in asking local businesses. It's hard for companies due to the current conditions to spend money.

RedBern wrote: »

I'm involved with a social enterprise, and we had our website designed by someone in a similar situation to you. She had nothing to show any potential customers, and did our website at a discounted rate - thus giving her something current to show to potential customers. We were delighted, so was she. She's had 2 other jobs as a result of her work with us. Why not see if there's any local volunteer groups that would need your services? Also, local clubs and societies - football clubs, tennis clubs - all could benefit from having a website - you need to show them how much they'd benefit!!

Thanks for the responses. I guess I was right to start searching locally and I'll continue to do so. I am prepared to deeply discount to get some portfolio samples done - I just need to find the right businesses/groups for my first few pieces. Thanks for the good luck - and good luck to steve1980 too.

Savvy_Sue

If you're offering your services for free, you must be absolutely clear about what you can and cannot offer, and what kind of long term commitment might be available.

pinkclouds

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

If you're offering your services for free, you must be absolutely clear about what you can and cannot offer, and what kind of long term commitment might be available.

Thanks for your kind concern. Yes, I am aware of the pitfalls of discounted/free offers. There is no way I can afford to subsidise another business so I would only offer a discount on coding and not products like hosting or web fonts as I can't afford not to pass the costs on. And I only intend to do this for my first few portfolio pieces, as one-off projects, as it is clearly not possible to commit to ongoing contracts unless they are profitable.

pinkclouds

Btw, I'd just like to say thanks for the PMs I've received. Any more comments/advice on this thread or by PM, always appreciated.

steve1980

Just looked at your website and it's a bit (ok, very!) off center!

PasturesNew

I just looked, it's like an optical illusion... it started swimming in front of my eyes within 15 seconds.
What's going on with the navigational rollovers? There are some characters in brackets.

jexygirl

PasturesNew wrote: »

I just looked, it's like an optical illusion... it started swimming in front of my eyes within 15 seconds.
What's going on with the navigational rollovers? There are some characters in brackets.

I think the OP focusses alot on coding skills, so I figured it was like a witty addon to show coding perhaps?