What Should You Put on a Personal Website?

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: July 28, 2021 References

A personal website is a great tool for letting potential employers and clients know more about you. You get a lot more flexibility than you have on just a one-page resume, so you can really let your skills, experience, and personality shine. There are a ton of services that make it super easy to design your own personal website, and we're here to make sure you know just what to include on yours.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:
Choose a focus for your site.

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Think about your target audience. Maybe you're a photographer who bakes cookies on the side, and at night you make ends meet by doing taxes. Okay, you're a hustler for sure, but trying to fit all of that onto one web page is going to feel confusing and overwhelming. Narrow down your focus to the goal that's most important to you and tailor your site to that so it will feel cohesive.^{[1]
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- If you want your focus to be your photography, you could list your services, post some of the best pictures you've taken, and write blogs reviewing some of your favorite camera equipment.
- If you'd prefer to focus on your baking skills, you could post professional-looking pictures of your treats or baking supplies and some of your favorite flavor combinations or specialties.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 8:
Include a summary on your homepage.

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Instantly let visitors know who you are and what you do. If someone comes across your site by accident, they shouldn't have to click around to find out whether you're a graphic designer or an investment banker. Right on the homepage, include a few sentences that sum up the type of work you do and why someone should choose you over your competition.^{[2]
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- For instance, your header might say, "Dana Chatham, Social Media Consultant." Then, under that, you might describe a little about how you help businesses optimize their social media feeds to reach new customers.
- When you're writing your summary, think about your professional goals. What do you want people to know about you? What kind of jobs are you hoping to attract?^{[3]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 8:
Include an "About Me" page.

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Let visitors get a glimpse of who you are. Share your story with the people who visit your page. How did you get started? What struggles did you overcome? What are some of your interests and hobbies?^{[4]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 8:
List your experience on a resume page.

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This is the space to let people know why you're qualified. Include your professional experience and qualifications, but don't feel like you have to stick to a traditional, chronological format. This is your website, so it's fine to get creative and emphasize your biggest accomplishments.^{[5]
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- For instance, if you published a book that made it to the New York Times bestseller list, you'd probably put that in a big, bold font at the top of the page. Under that, you might include magazines or journals where you've been published, then notable places where you've given guest lectures.
- If you're an artist, your resume page might be a portfolio of your favorite pieces.
- If you don't have a lot of work experience yet, mention things like your internships, volunteer work, clubs, or side hustles. Be sure to include any awards you received!^{[6]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 8:
Compile a portfolio of your work.

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This can be anything related to your career. You might include samples of your writing, track your projects, showcase videos or podcasts you've recorded—anything that will help visitors understand what you do. In addition, you might link out to any professional associations you've joined.^{[7]
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Research source} If you've ever been mentioned in the media or had your work published, include that as well!
- You can post this on a single page titled "Portfolio" or "Past Work," or you could break it into several different pages (like "Podcasts," "Blog," and "Projects") if you have a lot of various content.
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Method 6

Method 6 of 8:
Use high-quality photos on your site.

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Avoid selfies or smartphone pics. It's a good idea to have at least one professional picture of yourself on your website, although you may want to include more (especially if you're a photographer or graphic designer or work in another creative field). Just make sure your photos are high-quality and professional.^{[8]
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- Consider using the same profile picture for your social media pages to create a cohesive online image across all of your platforms.^{[9]
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- If you don't want to include many shots of yourself, use stock photos that relate to your profession, like books and pens if you're a writer.

Method 7

Method 7 of 8:
Include a way for visitors to contact you.

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Have a contact form with your basic info. If somebody wants to reach out to learn more about you, make sure it's as easy as possible for them to do so. Consider having a contact form that will go directly to your inbox so you won't miss any messages. Also, you might include your email address and phone number at the top and bottom of each of the pages on your site.^{[10]
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- You might also include links to your social media pages. Just make sure to double-check them for any controversial content, especially if you use them for personal purposes.^{[11]
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Method 8

Method 8 of 8:
List testimonials if you have any.

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This could be any positive, professional feedback. If you have satisfied clients or you've gotten a good review from a former employer, consider including it on your site. Your own word is important, but people will be more likely to trust a third party when it comes to the quality of your work.^{[12]
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