Before I get back to sharing my latest #OOTD (I actually have quite a few in the queue) and spotlighting my spring must-haves, I'm doing a rare career-related post. I finally bit the bullet and created a portfolio on Squarespace to spotlight my social media work (err, rather, case studies at the moment). As someone who likes to dabble in a lot of things, I found that having one digital portfolio wasn't enough. In addition to an about.me page (I prefer it over LinkedIn for networking purposes) and an account on Pressfolios to share my writing clips, I felt that it was time to add a visual portfolio to my repertoire. One in which I could share my personal aesthetic, creative direction and photography style (think: flatlays, doodles from Instagram Stories and stop motion animation).
Below, I'm sharing five reasons to create a portfolio on Squarespace. Just as a disclaimer: This post is in no way suggesting that Wix, Weebly or any other website builder isn't as worthy. I'm just going off of my personal experience and what has worked for me. :)
1. Intuitive and Easy to Use: Three words: No coding necessary. While other website builders may require a bit of a learning curve, Squarespace is easy to use from the get-go. Unless you're savvy with html, this is a MAJOR selling point in my book. Spend some time exploring all the features and customization options, and you'll 10/10 get the results you're looking for. And if not, there's always Google and Squarespace support, amirite?
2. Professional Looking Templates: Prior to using Squarespace, I often found myself feeling uninspired by the lack of aesthetically pleasing templates. They were either too cookie-cutter and bland or not dynamic enough to support the variety of content I was hoping to be sharing. Not only are all the templates on Squarespace SUPER pretty to look at and easily customizable, but there's literally oodles and oodles to choose from. Seeing as to how there's a category for everything from "art & design" to "community & non-profit" to "travel & lifestyle," you really can't go wrong.
I ended up installing the Jasper template (you can read about it below) due to its clean and minimalist aesthetic. I like how the landing page features hoverable photos that function as teasers to individual "case studies." It also included an about page and moodboard, which I really appreciated.
Showcase your work and engage potential clients with Jasper. This portfolio template creates an enticing visual summary of your projects with a dynamic grid-style homepage. Page animations, scaling fonts, and page headers display your work in a bold and immersive way. The special Project Pages arrange images, titles, and captions into elegant layouts, giving your visitors a story-driven experience.
3. Caters to Creative Types: Whether you're an artist, a photographer, a freelance writer or any creative type, Squarespace caters to the design-centric crowd with their dynamic page designs (infinite scroll, full screen + hi-res photos, etc.) and slideshow interface that is excellent for showing off your work.
4. Integrated Social Media Feeds + Tons of Add-Ons: Those of you with a background in social media, PR and marketing will especially appreciate the social media integration feature. (Connect your accounts, add social media icons to the footer of your page and/or embed your Instagram feed directly onto your site). Being a visual enthusiast, I like to think that my snaps on Instagram serve as a visual representation of my whimsical nature and creative spirit. It's a way for potential employers and clients to get to know me prior to even connecting.
5. Just the Thing to Launch Your Side Hustle: So you're ready to offer your services — now what? Squarespace could be the first step to bringing your dream career or side hustle to fruition. Perhaps you're launching an online shop (yes, there are templates for that!) or are in the process of creating your own social media consultancy business. Or maybe you're a self-taught photographer or freelance graphic designer looking to get the ball rolling. When you're branching out, getting your name out there is everything. Each Squarespace subscription includes a domain name (aka, the name of your website), so be sure to pick something that's SEO-friendly. Of course, you'll also want to add a contact page — something that's very easily achievable with Squarespace's form block.
**Bonus: Pssst: If you're a student with an academic email address, you can receive 50% off your first full year of Squarespace. While Squarespace isn't a free website builder, I am so, SO pleased with the outcome. See more info regarding pricing here.
With all that said, please do check out my newly launched portfolio! And do LMK if you're seeking a social media intern or know of someone who is! I'm literally just trying to gain experience at this point, so don't hesitate to reach out to me — if even just to chat or network!
Any questions?! Leave 'em below in the comments section and I'll get back to you!
xo,
A
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