As more and more people are working as freelancers, it's becoming increasingly important to create your own online presence - a place where you can showcase your work, highlight examples of what you've done, and lead potential clients to take action and work with you.

Today we're going to talk about how you can build your own portfolio website that generates new leads using a tool called Carrd. We'll cover who this is for, the key features, how to create a portfolio site that drives action, potential drawbacks, and some alternatives.

Why Freelancers Need a Portfolio Website

A portfolio website allows you to:

• Establish an online presence
• Showcase your work and skills
• Generate leads and attract potential clients
• Build trust and credibility in your industry

Here are some professions that can benefit from a portfolio site:

• Photographers - highlight photos and offer booking
• Web developers - showcase websites built and provide consultation
• Videographers - feature videos and sell packages

Key Features of Carrd for Building a Portfolio Website

Carrd is a simple, affordable website builder ideal for portfolio sites. Its key features include:

• Affordable pricing plans starting at $9/year
• One-page website templates
• Customizable design elements
• Built-in contact and signup forms
• Integration with email marketing and payment services
• Custom domain URLs and hosting included

Although primarily designed for one-page sites, there are some workarounds to add blogs to Carrd. But for more blogging functionality, consider alternatives like Wix or Squarespace.

How to Create a Portfolio Website with Carrd

1. Choose a template that fits your portfolio needs
2. Customize the design to match your branding
3. Showcase your best work and case studies
4. Add contact forms and call-to-action buttons
5. Integrate payment options to sell services or packages
6. Optimize your site for mobile devices

Remember, your portfolio site should not only look great but also lead visitors to take your desired action, whether that's contacting you or purchasing your services. Make the next steps clear and easy.

Tips for Optimizing Your Portfolio Website for Lead Generation

• Clearly communicate your services and benefits
• Use compelling headlines and descriptions
• Include social proof and testimonials
• Make contacting you or taking action simple
• Promote your site on social media and other channels

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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I need a custom domain for my Carrd portfolio site?

While not required, having your own domain name looks more professional and allows you to easily switch to a different website platform in the future by pointing the domain to the new site. Carrd lets you use a subdomain for free.

Can I add a blog to my Carrd portfolio website?

Carrd is mainly designed for one-page sites, but there are some solutions to incorporate blogs. However, if blogging is a major priority, you may want to consider other platforms like Wix or Squarespace that have more robust blogging features built-in.

How do I get feedback on my portfolio website?

Once you've published your site, share the link with friends, colleagues, and web design experts to get their input. Have them test your site's links and forms to ensure everything works properly. Apply their feedback to optimize your site.

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