What makes a great web developer portfolio? It has to be attractive and should have a responsive design. Let's dissect a great web developer portfolio example.

The year 2020 really changed everything about how we go with our day-to-day life. We’ve spent more hours on our phones and computers than any other year before.

COVID-19 pandemic was terrible for everybody. But when a business suffers, there is a trickle-down effect. If the entrepreneur is not earning, they don’t have the money to pay off their employees. These employees can’t feed their families. There is no money that will go around for retail and other industries.

Businesses had to adapt. They had to bring their business to the internet.

Everything else had to make a similar move. The web developers, too, have to take their business to the internet in the form of a web developer portfolio.

It’s basically a resume, but on the part of a prospective client, browsing through it is just like browsing through a website. It’s a great way for a web designer and developer to showcase what they are good at in terms of creating a website.

In the case of the online portfolio, a client will get to know the developer’s personality while also seeing their range in terms of their skills in web development.

What makes a great portfolio? Let’s dissect a web developer portfolio example:

Amazing web developer portfolio example: Bruno Tome

Bruno Tome is a graphic designer and front-end developer. When you check out his web developer portfolio example, there is no doubt that he is indeed a graphic designer.

The design of the main page of his portfolio is just outstanding. It is exciting and interesting. It is attractive, too.

By the way, he only used black and white in his portfolio.

Color is very important in attracting an audience—that’s a general perspective. However, there are ways when a simple black-and-white design could catch the attention of people who are just passing through.

There is something about Tome’s design that is just very attractive. The font he used was stylistic and you just can’t help but want to know more about him and his work.

It’s very attractive when you try to browse this page because the colors change—what was black half a second ago, is now white. That’s such a creative use of minimalism in color.

His “about me” section also gives you more about him than just what he does for a living. Apparently, he used to bite his toenails as a child but as of now, he could no longer bend down to reach it.

Too much information?

That really depends on the audience. His overall portfolio is whimsical, and it shows in his personality. That personality can be gleaned through the brief bio he included in the portfolio.

You can change your portfolio from time to time

Obviously, Mr. Tome is trying to attract a specific audience. He is leaning more on the creative side or the design aspect of web development. He is, after all, a front-end developer.

On your part, if you are trying to get any type of job, then you need to create a portfolio that is much tamer than Tome’s.

What is a tame portfolio? It’s one that would cater to different tastes.

This might mean that your portfolio should be neat. People should be able to read what they need from you the moment they click your portfolio.

Simplicity can take you a long way. It won’t be as dynamic as Tome’s, but it would attract a wider audience. This would work if you are just putting your resume on the internet.

However, if you are actually applying for a job, then you need to upgrade your portfolio according to what is needed.

This means that if you are trying to get hired by a children’s company, then your portfolio should cater to that demographic. To be clear, a children’s company doesn’t necessarily mean that your design should cater to children.

Children’s companies are still owned by adults. You have to create a website that adults will love but has a kid tone to it. Perhaps a cartoonish design would work here, or one that has splashes of colors.

On the other hand, if you are trying to get hired for a real estate company, then your portfolio should showcase your ability to design something attractive to the real estate industry. This means that you should adopt a more formal tone.

There is no harm in changing your portfolio from time to time. That’s exactly what a web developer does. They should be able to act like a chameleon on the internet. They should be able to provide the design that a client wants.

Other projects

Your previous web projects are important in your portfolio. In the case of Tome’s portfolio, he provided links to his Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Social media is actually a great way to endear yourself to prospective clients. This is one way that clients will know you personally.

But if you think that your social media is too personal, you don’t have to. But a lot of designers also have professional accounts to show off their work.

Anyway, whether you want to share your social media accounts or not, you need to showcase your previous works.

For one, your previous outputs provide legitimacy to you as a web developer. Your previous works are indicative of your employability. More importantly, it shows experience.

Now, the question is whether your experience will align with what the client needs. Even if you have not done anything similar to what a client needs, if you can show that you have the ability to do it anyway, then you still have an attractive portfolio.

It’s not necessary that you have what they are looking for. What is important is that you have the talent and the skill.

Think outside the box

Going back to Tome’s portfolio, what is interesting about it is that it’s just like a game. When you press something, something happens to the page. We told you about the changing of the color. There are also words that take you to another site.

It’s really like you are playing a game. Who doesn’t like playing a game? That kind of creativity employed on the portfolio makes people not want to exit the page.

The more people stay on your portfolio, the more you will become endearing to them. That just got you closer to a deal.

Treat your online portfolio as if it's commissioned work. Design and develop the best website-type portfolio that you can.

One of the major goals of a website is to increase conversion. It should be the same with your portfolio. You want visits to the portfolio to be converted into actual work.

Of course, a website can lead to conversion if it’s attractive. That rule is the same in the creation of your portfolio.

Then, it’s also important that the UI and UX designs of a website are top-notch in order for people to want to navigate it more. The same could be said about your portfolio.