How to Build a Portfolio Website for Your Career

Your CV is a one-page document. Your LinkedIn looks like everyone else's. But a portfolio website? That's uniquely yours. It's the business card of the digital world — a powerful tool that shows at a glance who you are and what you can do.

Why a Portfolio Website?

Aren't CV and LinkedIn Enough?

| Tool | Limitation | |------|-----------| | CV | 1-2 pages, static, like everyone else | | LinkedIn | Template-bound, limited design | | GitHub | Technical only, doesn't show vision | | Portfolio site | Unlimited, personal, striking |

Advantages of a Portfolio Website

• 🌐 Available 24/7 — Anyone in the world can view it
• 🎨 Reflects your personal brand
• 📊 Shows work quality concretely
• 🔍 Found on Google
• 💼 Makes a difference in job interviews
• 🤝 Builds client trust

What Should Be on a Portfolio Site

1. Homepage (Hero Section)

First impressions are everything:

• Your name and title — "F. Çağrı Bilgehan — Software Architect"
• Brief introduction — 1-2 sentences about what you do
• Professional photo — Builds trust
• CTA button — "View My Projects" or "Get in Touch"

2. About Me

• Professional background
• Areas of expertise
• Motivation and values
• Personal touch (hobbies, interests)

3. Projects / Work

The most important section. For each project:

• Project name and description
• Screenshots / demo
• Technologies used
• Your role and contributions
• Results — Metrics, impact

4. Skills / Technologies

• Programming languages
• Frameworks and libraries
• Tools and platforms
• Proficiency indicators (years or bars)

5. Blog (Optional)

Demonstrates your technical competence. Also very valuable for SEO.

6. Contact

• Email address
• LinkedIn profile
• GitHub profile
• Contact form

Technical Options

Simple Solutions

• Carrd — Single page, fast ($19/year)
• WordPress — Theme-based, easy
• Notion — Minimal, free

Professional Solutions

• Next.js — Best performance and SEO
• Gatsby — React-based, static site
• Astro — Lightweight and fast

My Choice: Next.js

I built this site (cagribilgehan.com) with Next.js. Here's why:

• Server-Side Rendering — Critical for SEO
• App Router — Modern page structure
• MDX support — For blog posts
• i18n — Multi-language support (TR/EN)
• Performance — 95+ Lighthouse score

Design Principles

1. Minimalism

Less is more. Avoid unnecessary elements.

2. Consistent Color Palette

Choose 2-3 main colors and use them consistently. Dark background + bright accents looks modern.

3. Typography

• Bold, strong font for headings
• Readable font for body text
• 16px minimum font size

4. White Space

Leave adequate spacing between elements. Crowded layouts tire the eyes.

5. Animation

Subtle animations add life:

• Scroll reveal effects
• Hover animations
• Smooth transitions

Portfolio Inspiration Sources

Study great portfolios for inspiration:

• Awwwards — awwwards.com
• Dribbble — dribbble.com
• Behance — behance.net

Conclusion

A portfolio website is the most powerful digital tool for your career. With the right design, clear content, and solid technical foundation, you can stand out from the crowd.

If you'd like to get a professional portfolio website built or refresh your existing one, feel free to reach out: info@cagribilgehan.com. You can explore my projects and experience at cagribilgehan.com