With the right online portfolio builder, it is possible to create a visually appealing online presence efficiently. Nowadays, website builders are user-friendly and can be used by beginners, eliminating the need for extensive technical skills. In fact, even without any experience in website creation or knowledge of CSS or HTML coding, you can still develop your own online portfolio.
The majority of website builders utilize a drag-and-drop editor to allow users to position design elements as desired. Various online portfolio builders provide varying degrees of customization, but most allow you to begin with a pre-designed template that you can personalize with your own content. With numerous options to choose from, we will now examine our top ten selections in detail. You can find quick links to our top three online portfolio builders below, followed by a more comprehensive overview.
The best online portfolio builder deals available today
01. Wix
It is likely that you are already familiar with Wix. This website builder is widely known for being one of the most popular worldwide, and with good reason. It boasts a user-friendly interface and affordable costs, making site construction a breeze. Additionally, Wix provides a wide range of editing tools, a simple drag-and-drop feature, and an extensive template library. Notably, there are numerous themes available that cater specifically to portfolio sites.
If you’re on a tight budget and want to create an online portfolio, you can use Wix’s free forever plan. However, this plan has limitations, such as only allowing 500MB of storage and 500MB of bandwidth per month. Additionally, you won’t be able to sell products online or connect a custom domain. Nonetheless, upgrading to a paid plan is quite affordable, with prices starting at just $3.54 (£3) per month.
02. Weebly
Weebly, coming in as a close second, is recognized for its assortment of visually appealing templates and e-commerce tools. For those seeking the top online portfolio builder, Weebly offers numerous advantages. With all Weebly plans, users have access to unlimited storage, which is ideal for incorporating sizable media or other types of files. Additionally, depending on the selected plan, the maximum file upload sizes range from 100 to 250 MB, with an impressive 1GB limit specifically for videos.
Weebly’s ecommerce tools are also noteworthy. All plans, including the free one, enable you to sell products on your website. Notable features in this regard are the inventory management portal, the option to list an unlimited number of items, and the automatic tax calculator. However, it should be noted that digital goods cannot be sold with the free plan.
Weebly offers three paid plans that start at $5/£4 per month. These plans include more advanced e-commerce and marketing tools, along with various support options. If you are looking to create a portfolio using a visually appealing and professionally designed template, Weebly is an excellent choice.
03. Format
Format could be the ideal choice for photographers seeking to showcase their work online. It is a website builder specifically created for photography portfolios and offers complete functionality.
The text explains that it has various advanced features, one of which is the option to establish an online store for selling your work. Initially, the management interface may be somewhat perplexing, but with a few hours of use, you should be able to become familiar with it.
The basic plan starts at $7 per month, but it has limited features. To create a complete portfolio, you can upgrade to the Pro plan for $12 per month with annual billing ($16.99 with monthly billing). With the Pro plan, you can upload 1,500 images and enjoy unlimited bandwidth. Additionally, you will receive a free domain name for the first year, custom code editing, and a free SSL certificate to enhance the security of your site against hackers and other malicious third parties.
The Pro Plus plan, which costs $18 per month when billed annually, provides unlimited image uploads, 30 minutes of video uploads, a mailing list builder, and priority support. Alternatively, you can choose the Unlimited plan, available from $25 per month, which offers 120 minutes of video uploads. Overall, Format is unquestionably one of the finest photography portfolio builders we have encountered.
04. Site123
Although it may not be the most powerful website builder available, Site123 is an excellent option for individuals who desire a fast and hassle-free online presence. The editor is incredibly user-friendly, and while the templates are somewhat simplistic, there is still a wide selection available for creating an appealing portfolio.
Once you begin with Site123, you will be led through a brief questionnaire that will inquire about the kind of website you desire. Depending on your responses, the builder will present you with a template that it believes will be most suitable for your requirements.
While the editor is easy to learn, the portfolio has limited customization options and lacks advanced features when it comes to personalization.
A free version is offered with only 250 MB of storage, along with a branded subdomain and Site123 advertising. Not all tools are accessible with this version. Premium subscription prices vary from $6.50 to $15 per month for a five-year plan ($19 to $47 per month if paid for three months upfront). While it may not be the most affordable option, it does provide convenience.
05. IM Creator
IM Creator is a website builder tailored for artists and creatives, which typically has a monthly fee of $8. Nevertheless, students, artists, and nonprofits who meet the criteria can request a free license that grants complete access to IM Creator’s features. This includes unlimited storage and bandwidth, the ability to link a custom domain, and even the option to sell artwork online.
Additionally, IM Creator offers a vast selection of templates in their library which can serve as a foundation for your portfolio. These templates are highly appealing, making it effortless to create a fully operational website by simply incorporating your own content. However, don’t be discouraged from personalizing your portfolio if desired.
IM Creator is unique because unlike most website builders, it does not require you to upgrade to a costly business or e-commerce plan in order to sell items online. With every subscription, you get access to a comprehensive range of online selling tools, such as a robust checkout system, an inventory management console, and detailed analytics.
06. Krop
Krop offers an intriguing choice, as it merges a robust portfolio creator with an internet job platform. In essence, this allows individuals to exhibit their work and seek job opportunities from a single main platform. The standout feature of Krop is its impressive assortment of templates tailored specifically for portfolios. These templates cater to a wide range of professions, including photographers, illustrators, makeup artists, and copywriters. Moreover, each template is customizable, giving users the ability to achieve their desired aesthetic.
Furthermore, Krop offers a variety of excellent features to enhance the functionality of your portfolio. For instance, you have the option to seamlessly link your Instagram account with your website, allowing for automatic photo integration. Additionally, you can connect a personalized domain name, and there are also a multitude of SEO tools available to increase your online visibility.
If ecommerce is not a priority, you can still access all of Krop’s advanced portfolio-building features for $9.99 per month (or $99 billed annually), despite the notable absence of online selling tools.
07. Squarespace
With Squarespace, you can construct websites for nearly any objective, providing you with all the necessary resources to develop an exceptional personalized portfolio.
This website builder provides a range of impressive templates that are specially created for portfolios. These templates include pre-made pages for showcasing galleries, projects, contact details, and other content.
In addition, signing up is a breeze with Squarespace, as it allows you to easily create your website by responding to a series of quick questions. Additionally, you will be prompted to select your template and other important features for your site.
08. WordPress.org
Regardless of your experience level, WordPress.org is an exceptional choice for constructing a portfolio website as it is a free and open-source content management system (CMS).
When using WordPress.org, you will have to locate your own web hosting service. If you select a dependable provider like DreamHost, the process of setting up and managing your website can be extremely fast and effortless.
Additionally, you will have the option to obtain a personalized domain and select from a wide range of free WordPress themes.
Themes are designs that are ready to use, similar to templates. There is a variety of themes to choose from, including portfolio themes, responsive themes, and many others.
The WordPress Block Editor and Site Editor allow you to personalize your site according to your specific preferences.
Furthermore, you have the ability to enhance your website’s functionality by utilizing plugins. These additional components have the potential to enhance various aspects of your site, such as performance and SEO.
09. Adobe Portfolio
Adobe Portfolio is one of the top portfolio website builders for visual artists that comes with the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
By using Adobe Portfolio, you can benefit from exclusive features like Adobe Fonts access and Behance integration. Additionally, your Adobe Portfolio will be automatically optimized for all devices and can showcase responsive photo grids.
Additionally, password protection and a custom domain will be provided to you. Once you have signed up, a variety of ready-to-use themes will be available for you to choose from.
In addition, photographers, illustrators, and designers can benefit from a specialized signup process while using Adobe Portfolio, which also provides access to Photoshop and Lightroom.
10. Dunked
Dunked is an exclusive portfolio solution designed for creators who prefer a minimalist and straightforward aesthetic. By selecting this option, you will have access to a range of captivating templates to showcase your projects and artwork.
Dunked offers the ability to switch between themes and conveniently personalize layouts, typography, colors, and more. Additionally, it allows you to incorporate audio and video content from third-party services such as YouTube and SoundCloud.
In addition, it should be noted that all Dunked plans include hosting on secure, dedicated servers provided by Rackspace. However, it is worth mentioning that in order to use Dunked, you will have to buy a custom domain from a separate domain registrar.
11. Webflow
Webflow is a favored website builder among designers due to its ability to provide access to the code underlying your site. You have the option to start with its free products and enhance your website by upgrading to a premium plan.
The main purpose of this website design tool is to make team collaboration easier. By using Webflow, designers, marketers, or developers can conveniently access a shared site for updates. As a result, it is highly recommended for web development or design agencies, as well as freelancers, who require building multiple sites.
With Webflow’s visual editor, you have the ability to assume command over HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. You will have the capability to generate responsive pages, establish reusable CSS classes and components, and arrange global color swatches.
What to look for in the best portfolio website builders
In order to effectively evaluate our list of top portfolio website builders, it is important to have an understanding of what factors to consider. While this will vary based on your specific requirements, it is generally advisable to take the following into account:
- Usability and set up – A portfolio website should be easy to set up. If you want to streamline the process, you might look for an all-in-one solution that includes web hosting and a domain name. You’ll also want to ensure that your website builder offers a user-friendly interface. This way, it’ll be easy to update your site as you complete new projects.
- Pre-designed templates – Some website builders offer pre-designed templates. Ideally, you’ll find one that includes template designs that are specific to portfolios. These will usually include essential pages like “portfolio” and “about.”
- Mobile optimization – More than half of web traffic in the United States comes from mobile devices [1]. Therefore, you’ll want a builder with responsive features.
- Speed – According to Google, bounce rates increase by 32 percent when your page load time goes from one to three seconds. This means you’ll need a fast site. A good website builder will be optimized for strong Core Web Vitals scores.
- Cost – Websites require a domain and web hosting. If you’re using a website builder, you’ll likely need to pay for the software too. Some companies offer all these services bundled together.
When considering options, it is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The key is to evaluate the various portfolio website builders available and select the one that aligns with your specific requirements.
