Portfolio Website Platforms For Freelance Journalists

As a freelance journalist, you will want to have a digital space in which you can keep your articles, accolades, and various achievements. A portfolio website is an asset that can help land you more opportunities and connect you with more editors. Though some media workers design their own websites from scratch, others use platforms with built-in templates. However, most of these platforms have subscription fees. As such, it’s best to view it as an investment.

Here’s a guide on these platforms: 

Wix

 

Like other platforms, Wix has varying subscription plans. As a freelancer, you will likely choose the “Light” plan which at $16/month comes with 2 GB storage space. With a Wix subscription, you get access to website templates and SEO tools. Wix also has website templates that are specifically for CV portfolios. 

Squarespace

Dan Q. Dao, a freelance writer,  says that he signed up for Squarespace because of its “user-friendliness and simplicity yet dynamic visual templates.” 

“Since I’ve been using it, the company has improved a lot of its design customization even more through ‘liquid’ design tools that allow you to drag and drop elements into place,” he adds. “Squarespace has also merged with Google Domains, bringing all of my website hosting and domains under one roof.” 

In addition, Squarespace also offers email customization services and is easy to use if you’re integrating an e-commerce website into your online portfolio. The contact page templates are also seamless. 

Squarespace pricing plans start at $16 a month for personal websites. 

Cargo

At $14 a month, Cargo is a relatively cost-effective option. “Cargo in particular has some really thoughtfully designed ones with contemporary typography,” says Nika Simovich Fisher, a graphic designer and writer. With its design lab, Cargo has some minimalist templates, artful fonts, and quirky landing pages. Cargo, seemingly, is a good option for any freelance journalist who also has a graphic design, illustration, or photography practice. 

Format

Format has three monthly subscription rates: $8 (Basic), $10 (Pro), and $13 (Pro Plus). Format is a straightforward option for freelance portfolios, offering templates specifically designed for writers. For instance, the “Cover” template comes with “parallax scroll and smooth page transitions, masonry or grid layouts, captions, and a removable header.” On the other hand, the “Background” template is a good option for those who want to include samples of their articles within their portfolio website.

If you’re short on time, you can always hire a website designer to craft a website for you. Regardless of what platform you choose, or if you design it yourself, creating a portfolio website is a good step in solidifying your web presence and landing more gigs.  

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