In this article, we’ll show you the best portfolio-building websites that can effectively showcase your work, attract clients, and display your creativity most appealingly. Whether you’re a graphic designer, copywriter, photographer, or small agency looking to exhibit your talents and successes, these website builders are tailored to meet your needs.

Key Takeaways

• Shopify – Best for selling products and services
• Squarespace – Best for a well-rounded portfolio website builder
• Wix – Best for portfolio customization
• GoDaddy – Best for website building speed
• Hostinger – Best for simple portfolio templates
• Webflow – Best for complex portfolios

Top 6 Portfolio Website Builders 2023: Table Of Comparison

Here is a quick comparison of 6 portfolio website builders: 

Criteria	Shopify	Squarespace	Wix	GoDaddy	Hostinger	Webflow
Pricing	Start from $39 – $399 per month	Start from $23 – $65 per month	Start from $16 – $159 per month	Start from $11.99 – $44.99 per month	Start from $2.99 per month	Start from $42 – $235 per month
Free plan	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Ease of use	150+ themes Drag and drop interface Customization options for branding identity 8,000 apps integration	100+ themes for customization. Drag and drop interface Customization options to match branding identity.	Intuitive drag-and-drop editor Hover-over tooltips Abundant tools and elements.	Simple-to-edit GoDaddy’s ADI functionality Pre-made templates Recommended for basic portfolios	Familiar drag-and-drop editor AI-powered ChatGPT builder. Limited customization options	Challenging for beginners  Better suited for those with website-building experience.
E-Commerce capabilities	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customization options	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	Limited	Unlimited
Responsiveness	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good
Storage for media	Unlimited	Unlimited	2GB – Unlimited	Unmetered	Unlimited	1GB – 400GB
SEO & Marketing features	Built-in SEO tools Integrations with popular marketing tools like Mailchimp and Google Analytic  10,000 free email marketing per month	Advanced analytics features and free email marketing tools. SEO optimization and blog pages	Robust marketing tools Free 200 emails per month	SEO wizard In-house marketing tools for email, social media, and ads	Limited SEO tools Integrations with Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Hotjar, and Facebook PixelAI heat map tool	SEO support availability on the Basic plan Absence of built-in marketing tools
Customer support	24/7 support available via phone, email, and live chat	Email (24/7) or live chat (4 am-8 pm EST, Monday to Friday). Twitter or Facebook Messenger for support.	Phone support, live chat, and email support	24/7 customer support available via chat and phone	24/7 live chat	Email support for regular plans

6 Best Website Builders For Creating A Portfolio 

Let’s explore providing the 6 best portfolio-building websites. We will offer a detailed overview of their key features.

Shopify

Overview

Shopify, as our top choice for showcasing and selling creative work, is a fantastic option for building a portfolio website that seamlessly integrates an online store. This feature is highly beneficial for the target audience, which includes artists, writers, authors, photographers, and marketers.

For creatives without technical expertise, Shopify’s all-in-one e-commerce solution with built-in security, updates, and backups provides a worry-free experience. It allows them to concentrate on their artistic vision without getting bogged down in technicalities.

Writers and authors can particularly benefit from Shopify’s customizable templates and blog features, enabling them to present their work in a personalized and professional manner. This enhances their ability to engage with their audience effectively.

Photographers find Shopify’s unlimited storage invaluable for showcasing their high-resolution images and videos, ensuring a visually stunning portfolio presentation. The platform’s robust storage capabilities cater to the needs of photographers who have extensive collections to display.

Moreover, Shopify offers marketers a range of tools, including customizable themes, payment gateways, and free marketing tools. This empowers them to build an online store that aligns perfectly with their brand while facilitating secure and seamless customer transactions.

Pricing

• No free plan
• Price: From $39 – $399 per month. You can opt for an annual subscription to save 25% on fees.
• 3-day free trial and a special deal of $1 for the first 3 months.

Shopify’s pricing structure offers five plans, with annual prices starting at $39 per month. While it may be more expensive than other website builders, it’s important to note that they support e-commerce, making it a comprehensive solution for those looking to build a portfolio website with an integrated online store.

Although Shopify doesn’t have a free plan, it does provide a free trial, allowing users to explore and experience the platform’s features before committing to a plan. Additionally, Shopify offers a special introductory deal where users can get their first three months for just $1 per month, making it an attractive offer for budget-conscious creators.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Self-hosted platform, no need for technical skills to manage web hosting.
• Quick setup, customizable themes, and payment gateways for an online store in less than 24 hours.
• Access to free marketing tools like a blog and email marketing.
• Multichannel and international selling
• Support for selling digital products and services.

Cons:

• Some features may require purchasing additional apps, adding to the overall cost.
• High transaction fees on top of payment processing fees for external payment gateways.

Ease of use

The platform offers a wide selection of 150+ themes that cater to various creative styles, making it effortless for them to customize their portfolio websites and showcase their work effectively.

With a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, even individuals without technical expertise can easily build and manage their websites, saving time and effort.

The availability of extensive customization options allows creative professionals to infuse their brand identity into the website design, creating a unique and memorable online presence that resonates with their audience.

The platform’s integration with 8,000+ apps provides a significant advantage. It enables artists, photographers, and small agencies to enhance the functionality of their portfolio websites with tools for analytics, marketing, social media, e-commerce, and more, thereby optimizing their online presence and business operations.

Storage space

For creative professionals, having ample storage space is crucial as they often need to showcase high-resolution images and videos to highlight their work and portfolio. With Shopify’s unlimited storage, they can confidently display their best pieces without worrying about running out of space, providing a visually engaging experience for their clients and customers.

Additionally, Shopify’s optimized loading speed ensures a seamless browsing experience for visitors to the website. This feature is advantageous as it minimizes loading times, reducing the risk of losing potential customers or clients due to slow-loading pages. Creative Professionals and other target users can attract and retain more viewers with a fast and responsive website, enhancing their online presence and credibility.

SEO & marketing features

The Shopify web builder platform offers built-in SEO tools to empower creative professionals to enhance their website’s visibility in search engine results. By optimizing their content and meta-tags, they can reach a wider audience and increase their online presence, attracting potential clients and customers.

The platform’s seamless integration with popular marketing tools like Mailchimp and Google Analytics is valuable. This integration allows users to streamline their marketing efforts, manage email campaigns efficiently, and gain valuable insights into website performance, audience behavior, and marketing success.

This generous offering of 10,000 free email marketing monthly provides a cost-effective solution for these professionals to engage with their audience. They can leverage email marketing to showcase their latest creations, announce promotions, and maintain strong connections with their clientele, ultimately boosting brand loyalty and driving sales.

Customer support

With support materials available in 21 languages, Shopify caters to the diverse global audience of its target users. This feature is especially beneficial for creative professionals and small agencies working with clients from various linguistic backgrounds, ensuring clear communication and ease of understanding when seeking assistance.

The 24/7 support availability through phone, email, and live chat is a significant advantage for the target audience. Creative professionals, freelancers, and artists often work irregular hours, and small agencies might have clients in different time zones. This continuous support ensures they can promptly resolve issues or queries, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Documentation and a comprehensive FAQ page are valuable for the target audience. As tech-savvy individuals, creative professionals and photographers often prefer self-help resources, and small agencies appreciate quick access to troubleshooting guides. Shopify’s well-organized and easily accessible resources empower users to find solutions independently.

Squarespace

Overview

Squarespace is a versatile web builder platform known for excelling in creating well-rounded portfolio websites. It caters to users of all skill levels, allowing them to craft stunning and mobile-responsive websites. Among its most enthusiastic users are photographers and artists, who appreciate its stylish and design-conscious templates ideally suited to showcase their work.

The platform’s standout features are its exceptional design capabilities, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive help and support system, which contribute to its high levels of customer satisfaction. Squarespace is an ideal choice for creative professionals, freelancers, artists, photographers, and small agencies looking to build a visually impressive on their work.

Pricing

• No free plan
• Price: Start from $23 – $65 per month. You can save from 24 to 30% by subscribing annually.
• 14-day free trial

Squarespace offers a variety of pricing plans, with the basic plan starting at $16 per month when billed annually. This pricing structure provides users a wide range of features, including unlimited bandwidth and 30 minutes of video storage. For creative professionals looking to showcase their visual-heavy portfolios, this basic plan offers a cost-effective solution with essential features.

One significant advantage of the basic plan is its inclusion of strong marketing and SEO features. These tools are vital for individuals or businesses seeking to promote their work and reach a broader audience. Despite the absence of a free plan, the provided features on the affordable plan compensate for it and make it an attractive option for those looking to establish a professional online presence. 

The 14-day free trial allows potential users to test the platform’s capabilities before committing to a subscription, allowing them to ensure Squarespace aligns with their requirements and goals.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Contemporary and beautifully designed templates with a responsive design for seamless display on various devices.
• User-friendly interface with one of the most accessible content management systems.
• Blueprint feature for quick website setup.
• Wide range of web fonts, integrations with third-party tools, and social media platforms.
• Built-in email marketing tool and logo designing app.

Cons:

• No free plan
• Customer support is through email or live chat; there is no phone support.
• Live chat support is available in English only.
• The app store (Extensions directory) has a limited selection of 35 apps.
• Slightly more expensive than competing website builders.

Ease of use

Squarespace offers a user-friendly website-building experience for creative professionals, freelancers, artists, photographers, and small agencies. With over 100 themes, users can choose designs that align with their creative vision.

The drag-and-drop interface simplifies the website-building process, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. This feature allows the target audience to effortlessly arrange and customize website elements, ensuring a seamless and personalized user experience.

Furthermore, Squarespace provides extensive customization options, enabling users to match their website’s design and layout to their unique branding identity. This level of customization empowers the target audience to create a distinctive online presence that reflects their artistic style or brand identity, making Squarespace an ideal platform for those looking to showcase their creativity and services in a visually compelling and professional manner.

Storage Space

With unlimited bandwidth, users can confidently upload and display high-resolution images, artwork, and multimedia content without worrying about data restrictions.

Additionally, 30 minutes of video storage allows users to present their portfolio or promotional videos directly on their websites, enhancing engagement and showcasing their work or services effectively.

This ample storage capacity and video support cater perfectly to the needs of creative individuals and small agencies, ensuring they can curate and showcase their visual content appealingly and professionally without constraints or compromise. Whether displaying an impressive portfolio, sharing artistic projects, or promoting creative services, Squarespace’s storage capabilities provide a solid foundation for an engaging and immersive online presence for the target audience.

SEO & marketing features

Squarespace offers an SEO panel that includes essential tools like SEO page settings, sitemaps, and clean URLs for improved indexing. This ensures that their websites are easily discoverable by search engines, enhancing visibility and attracting potential clients and viewers.

The built-in mobile optimization further enhances the user experience, making it convenient for visitors to access portfolios on various devices and improving search rankings. Automatic SEO-friendly pages for products streamline the process of showcasing creative works or services effectively.

The ability to add contact forms and member areas to most portfolio-specific templates simplifies the process of engaging with potential clients and turning viewers into opportunities. The seamless integration of testimonials, a blog, and a newsletter sign-up enhances credibility and builds stronger connections with the audience.

Squarespace further supports portfolio growth through its email marketing software, offering a variety of email layouts to match the portfolio’s branding and reach a broader audience.

However, it’s important to note that while Squarespace offers a limited free trial of the Email Campaigns feature, access to the full suite requires an additional fee, starting at $5 per month. Despite this, the combination of powerful SEO tools, marketing features, and customizable templates makes Squarespace an ideal platform for the target audience to effectively promote their creative work, attract clients, and establish a strong online presence.

Customer support

Squarespace offers robust customer support options, catering to all needs. The availability of email support 24/7 ensures users can receive timely assistance, even during non-business hours. Live chat support, from 4 am to 8 pm EST on weekdays, allows for real-time interactions, enabling prompt problem-solving and guidance during peak working hours.

Additionally, users can seek support through popular social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook Messenger, expanding the accessibility of assistance channels.

Moreover, Squarespace provides support materials in six languages, which is a significant advantage for international users, ensuring they can access resources and assistance in their preferred language.

Wix

Overview

With Wix’s user-friendly editor, creating stunning portfolio websites becomes a quick and straightforward process. Wix’s free plan provides a great starting point for building impressive portfolios, even for those on a tight budget.

For these professionals, effective online promotion is crucial. Wix caters to their needs by offering robust SEO support, built-in email marketing tools, and social media integration, enabling them to reach a broader audience and showcase their work effectively.

Furthermore, Wix’s reputation as the best overall website builder and a top-rated ecommerce builder makes it an attractive option for those looking to expand their site beyond a portfolio. This feature especially appeals to those who wish to sell their products or services while showcasing their creative work.

Pricing

• Free plan
• Price: $16 – $159 per month
• 14-day free trial.

Wix offers a variety of pricing options, including a free plan that allows users to get started without any upfront cost. This free plan suits those who want to explore the platform and create a basic online presence. 

However, upgrading to Wix’s premium plans is highly recommended for those aiming to make a more impactful impression and access additional features. The premium plans start at $16 per month. These plans provide access to more advanced customization options, allowing the target audience to create unique and professional-looking portfolio websites tailored to their specific needs and styles.

For Small Agencies or anyone looking to venture into online selling, Wix’s dedicated online selling plans are a compelling choice. These plans start at $27 per month, are billed annually, and are designed to facilitate online stores’ smooth setup and management. For Small Agencies, this feature is particularly beneficial as it enables them to expand their services to include e-commerce, diversifying their revenue streams and enhancing their online presence.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Drag-and-drop editor for easy use, even for beginners.
• Excellent online store offering, making it suitable for e-commerce.
• Offers flexibility and creative freedom for easy template customization.
• SEO optimization and blog pages
• No coding requirement

Cons:

• Can’t switch templates after publishing without starting from scratch.
• Advanced functionality may require extra payment for third-party apps.
• The initial interface may feel overwhelming due to the numerous features and design options.
• Best features are locked behind premium plans, requiring additional payment for access.
• Storage limitations for some plans

Ease of use

For people who don’t specialize in building websites, the familiar and straightforward interface enables them to focus on showcasing their creative works rather than grappling with complex website-building processes. The drag-and-drop functionality empowers them to arrange and present their portfolio elements visually stunningly effortlessly, captivating potential clients or employers.

Moreover, Wix’s inclusion of hover-over tooltips is a thoughtful feature that enhances the user experience. This aspect is particularly advantageous for beginners or those unfamiliar with certain features, as it provides on-the-spot explanations and guidance, enabling smoother navigation and more efficient utilization of the platform’s tools.

However, it is essential to consider that the abundance of tools and elements in Wix’s editor may be overwhelming for some users, especially those with limited experience in website building. Despite its user-friendliness, the sheer range of options may pose a challenge for individuals who prefer a simpler, more streamlined approach.

For small agencies, Wix’s ease of use is valuable, as it allows team members with varying skill levels to collaborate effectively on website design and management. The drag-and-drop editor facilitates seamless communication and empowers them to create and update portfolio websites without extensive training or technical expertise.

Storage Space

Wix’s free plan offers 500MB of storage, which is sufficient for basic portfolio websites. For users requiring more space, the Light plan offers 2GB, accommodating additional media and content.

For Small Agencies and those looking to engage in e-commerce, Wix’s Ecommerce plans come with payment acceptance capabilities, providing more substantial storage. The Core plan offers 50GB, suitable for small-scale online stores, while the Business plan provides 100GB, offering more space for a growing e-commerce business.

Wix’s Business Elite plan provides unlimited storage for larger-scale enterprises and businesses with extensive storage requirements. This feature is particularly beneficial for the target audience of Creative Professionals, Freelancers, Artists, and Photographers, as it allows them to archive and showcase a vast collection of high-quality images and media without constraints.

Wix’s Business VIP plan, priced at $159 per month (billed annually), offers unlimited storage for those seeking the utmost storage capacity and comprehensive features. This plan is ideal for Small Agencies that handle large volumes of content, requiring ample space for their portfolio and e-commerce offerings.

SEO & marketing features

By easily integrating a blog into their portfolio websites, users can engage in content marketing, enhancing their search engine rankings and attracting a wider audience. This feature is advantageous for the target audience as it allows them to showcase their expertise, share valuable insights, and establish themselves as authorities in their respective fields.

Moreover, Wix’s vast app library allows users to expand their portfolio’s functionality through various third-party integrations. This flexibility is advantageous for Creative Professionals and Small Agencies, as it allows them to tailor their websites to meet their specific needs, whether it’s integrating booking systems, galleries, or other specialized tools.

Integrating popular email marketing solutions like Mailchimp and Constant Contact further boosts the target audience’s marketing efforts. They can efficiently manage email campaigns, communicate with their audience, and inform clients about their latest works or services. 

Wix’s pre-installed Ascend by Wix offers comprehensive business solutions, which can be upgraded at a starting cost of $10 per month. This suite of tools is highly beneficial for Small Agencies, enabling them to streamline their operations, manage customer interactions, and optimize their business processes, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and client satisfaction.

Additionally, providing 200 free emails per month is practical, particularly for freelancers and small businesses with limited marketing budgets. This enables them to communicate with their audience regularly, build strong client relationships, and stay competitive in their respective industries.

Customer support

One key feature that makes Wix’s customer support stand out is the availability of support materials in 12 languages. This multilingual approach ensures that users from different regions can access assistance in their native languages, eliminating language barriers and enhancing their overall experience with the platform.

Moreover, Wix provides a variety of support channels, including phone support, live chat, and email support. This comprehensive support system caters to the preferences and convenience of its target audience, enabling them to seek help through their preferred communication method.

Go Daddy

Overview

GoDaddy’s standout feature is its quick and efficient approach to getting portfolios up and running, a crucial benefit for individuals and businesses looking for a streamlined process.

The ADI builder, which utilizes artificial design intelligence, is particularly advantageous for users with limited technical expertise or time constraints. By creating a custom site based on a few simple questions, GoDaddy enables even those without web design experience to create a professional-looking portfolio swiftly.

While the platform excels in speed and ease of setup, it is essential to consider the limitations in customization options and functionality compared to competitors like Squarespace or Wix. This aspect makes GoDaddy an excellent choice for those seeking a basic portfolio setup without the need for extensive customization or advanced features.

Pricing

• Free plan
• Price: Start from $11.99 – $44.99 per month
• 30-day free trial.

The platform’s paid plans from $11.99 to $44.99 per month, provide excellent value for money, making it an attractive option for individuals and businesses looking for cost-effective web builder solutions.

The availability of four distinct paid plans enables users to choose the one that best suits their needs and requirements. Whether it’s a freelancer or a small agency, GoDaddy’s pricing flexibility ensures that users can find a suitable plan tailored to their budget and desired level of features.

Additionally, GoDaddy offers a free plan, albeit with limited features. This free option is particularly beneficial for individuals or businesses on a tight budget, allowing them to explore the platform and get started without any upfront costs. However, for those requiring more advanced features and functionalities, upgrading to a paid plan may offer a more comprehensive and customized web-building experience.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Speedy and easy solution for website creation.
• Site content automatically reformats when switching themes.
• One of the easiest builders to use.
• Affordable pricing plans compared to competitors.

Cons:

• Limited creative freedom available.
• Restrictive block elements.
• Some features lack depth.
• Sites may not be as visually appealing as other builders.

Ease of use

GoDaddy’s web builder platform offers a user-friendly experience catering to the needs of all audiences. The standout feature that contributes to its ease of use is the ADI functionality, allowing users to build their portfolios effortlessly.

With the ADI, even individuals with minimal technical skills can swiftly create a professional-looking portfolio. The platform provides pre-made templates that can be easily customized in the editor, enabling users to tailor the design to align with their brand identity.

However, it’s worth noting that while GoDaddy’s editor allows some level of customization, the design flexibility is relatively limited compared to platforms like Wix. This limitation makes GoDaddy a recommended choice for those seeking a straightforward and hassle-free process to set up basic portfolios.

Storage Space

GoDaddy’s web builder platform offers an advantageous feature of unmetered storage and bandwidth across all its plans. This feature allows users to upload and display various media assets without worrying about exceeding storage limits or facing bandwidth restrictions.

For most users, the unmetered storage is more than sufficient to accommodate their portfolios, including images, text, and other multimedia content. This ensures that most individuals and small businesses can confidently build and showcase their work without concern over storage limitations.

However, for those with video-heavy portfolios, such as videographers or content creators, who require substantial storage for large video files, considering web builders with guaranteed unlimited storage might be beneficial. In such cases, platforms offering unlimited storage options can better cater to the needs of video-centric portfolios, ensuring they have ample space to showcase their content in the highest quality possible.

SEO & marketing features

GoDaddy platform’s SEO wizard, similar to Wix’s functionality, offers an easy and intuitive way to optimize websites for search engines, enhancing online visibility.

Even with the basic plan, users can access essential SEO tools, ensuring that even those with limited budgets can implement crucial optimization strategies. For those seeking more advanced SEO features, GoDaddy’s premium plans provide additional tools and options for more in-depth website optimization.

GoDaddy goes the extra mile by offering access to SEO experts who can provide personalized guidance and optimization strategies. This service is precious for target audience members who may not have extensive SEO knowledge or prefer professional assistance to maximize their site’s search engine visibility.

Furthermore, GoDaddy provides in-house marketing tools encompassing email marketing, social media integration, and advertising capabilities. This all-in-one solution streamlines marketing efforts, allowing users to engage with their audience effectively and promote their work or services through various digital channels.

Customer support

GoDaddy’s web builder platform offers 24/7 support via chat and phone, ensuring assistance is readily accessible at any time.

Access to knowledgeable guides is particularly advantageous for users who may encounter technical issues or have queries while building and managing their websites. The support team’s expertise ensures that users can quickly resolve any problems and receive expert advice to optimize their web presence.

Hostinger

Overview

Hostinger is a versatile web builder platform offering an excellent solution for showcasing their work and promoting their services through a basic website.

The platform proves to be especially useful for freelancers who seek a straightforward way to establish an online presence. Setting up a website with its user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and a collection of 100+ designer-made templates becomes a breeze. This allows creative professionals to focus more on showcasing their skills and portfolio content rather than grappling with complicated technical aspects.

For those dealing with basic websites or portfolios without heavy design elements, Hostinger is a reliable choice. The platform’s simplicity and ease of use ensure that users can efficiently present their work without unnecessary complexities.

However, it’s worth noting that while Hostinger provides an array of templates and a drag-and-drop editor, customization options may be somewhat limited. This could be a trade-off for simplicity, as more advanced users might desire a higher degree of flexibility and personalization.

Pricing

• No free plan
• Price: Start from $2.99 per month if you subscribe for 12 months or longer.
• 30-day free trial.

While there is no free plan, this platform offers a cost-effective solution starting at just $2.99 monthly. This affordability makes it a highly appealing choice for those seeking value for money and not wanting to spend extra time navigating various plans.

The platform’s 30-day free trial adds even more value, allowing users to explore its features before committing fully. Still, this minor inconvenience is outweighed by the opportunity to test the service risk-free.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Strong onboarding experience on WordPress plans for ease of use.
• Affordable hosting plans with low introductory prices.
• Great for ecommerce hosting with helpful plugins for WooCommerce and PrestaShop.

Cons:

• No dedicated hosting plans, limiting scalability beyond VPS plans.
• No phone support, only 24/7 live chat available.
• Limited features for the price.

Ease of use

Hostinger offers a familiar and intuitive drag-and-drop editor, enabling users to build their websites without needing extensive technical expertise. Additionally, the AI-powered ChatGPT builder further streamlines the website creation process, making it accessible to even those without prior experience in web development.

This user-friendly approach is particularly beneficial for creative professionals and freelancers who want to focus on showcasing their work and skills rather than grappling with complex website-building tools.

However, it’s essential to note that while Hostinger ensures ease of use, it comes with some trade-offs. Customization options may be limited, which may not suit those seeking highly personalized and unique website designs. Moreover, once a template is published, it cannot be easily swapped, potentially limiting the platform’s flexibility for those who frequently update their portfolios or want to experiment with different designs.

Storage Space

With the Website Builder & Web Hosting package, users enjoy the advantage of unlimited storage and unmetered traffic. This means they can upload and showcase a vast amount of content, including high-resolution images, videos, and portfolios, without worrying about storage limitations or bandwidth restrictions.

For creative professionals, photographers, and artists, who often need to display their work in high-quality formats, this unlimited storage ensures they can create visually stunning portfolios without compromising image or media quality.

Likewise, for small agencies and freelancers, this feature allows them to present their services and projects comprehensively without worrying about content constraints or the risk of exceeding bandwidth limits due to increased website traffic.

SEO & marketing features

While the platform’s SEO tools are somewhat limited, it compensates with AI-powered SEO tools and page SEO settings, enabling users to optimize their websites to some extent. However, it’s worth noting that there is no advanced keyword support, which may be a drawback for those seeking in-depth SEO strategies.

The platform’s integrations with Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Hotjar, and Facebook Pixel are significant advantages. These tools provide users with valuable data and insights, allowing them to track website performance, monitor user behavior, and run effective marketing campaigns. 

Hostinger’s AI heat map tool is precious for creative professionals and small agencies. Predicting visitor behavior helps identify user preferences, popular content, and areas of improvement on the website. This data empowers users to make relevant portfolio updates, tailor their offerings, and target potential clients or customers.

Customer support

Hostinger’s customer support may seem limited compared to other options, with only 24/7 live chat available. The 24/7 live chat ensures that users can seek assistance and resolve issues promptly, regardless of location or time zone. For those working on tight schedules or juggling various projects, this immediate and real-time support can be invaluable in addressing any technical or website-related concerns.

Webflow

Overview

• Webflow is ideal for experienced builders and designers who want to create a customized portfolio.
• Its advanced editor offers extensive styling and design capabilities, making it perfect for creating visually stunning blog posts.
• With over 12,000 templates available, Webflow provides flexibility in design options for your portfolio.
• However, its steep learning curve and limited ease of use may not be suitable for beginners.

Pricing

• Free plan
• Price: Start from $14 – $212 per month
• No free trial (VPN to US may be required).

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Styling and design capabilities enable impressive blog post presentations.
• Utilizes categories and tags for blog post collections, offering versatile content filtering.
• Includes an RSS feed to share blog content automatically with subscribers or other sites.
• Front-end editing allows you to make on-page blog post edits directly.

Cons:

• Page limits on paid plans can be restrictive, with only 100 static pages and limited dynamic pages.
• Editing previously published articles automatically changes the published date, causing issues with RSS feeds and SEO purposes.
• No Yoast integration for SEO enhancement.
• Not offer phone or live chat support on its regular plans.

Ease of use

• Webflow’s section-based editor can be challenging for beginners and better suited for those with website-building experience.

Storage Space

• Storage allowances vary based on the plan, ranging from 1GB on the free plan to up to 400GB on higher-tier plans.

SEO & marketing features

• SEO support is not available on the free plan; additional SEO tools become accessible on the Basic plan.
• Webflow lacks built-in marketing tools, but third-party app integrations are available for analytics and email marketing.

Customer support

• Customer support is provided via email on weekdays, with a response time of 24-48 hours (Pacific Time).
• The “Enterprise” plan offers additional support options beyond email.

Other Portfolio Website Builders

Besides, there are some best portfolio-building websites  you should not miss:

Format

Pricing: from $5 to $13

Free trial: 14-day free trial

Overview:

• Format is a modern website builder designed specifically for photographers and artists.
• It offers an easy-to-use interface, allowing users to create a custom portfolio online within a day.
• The platform also includes basic blogging and eCommerce features, but they are limited in functionality and more suitable for smaller projects.
• The format may not be ideal for those looking to build different types of online businesses, run more comprehensive blogs, or establish serious eCommerce stores, as the features provided are quite basic and limited.

Pixpa

Pricing: from $6 to $25

Free trial: 15-day free trial

Overview:

• Pixpa is a niche website builder tailored for creatives such as photographers, artists, and individuals who want to showcase and sell their visual work online.
• The platform features an easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder, making it simple for users to create their websites without extensive technical knowledge.
• All plans come with a free domain and SSL certificate, providing added value for users.
• Pixpa offers reasonable pricing, making it affordable for artists and photographers to establish their online presence.
• The platform’s eCommerce integration is functional and straightforward, enabling users to sell their creations effectively.

Fabrik

Pricing: from $11 to $26

Free trial: 14-day free trial

Overview:

• Fabrik is a website enhancement platform designed to provide users with the fastest solution to update and personalize their creative portfolio websites seamlessly.
• It allows users to connect to their existing creative services to easily upload their work, making the process more convenient and efficient.
• With Fabrik, users can achieve creative control over their websites without the need to write a single line of code, enabling them to customize their sites according to their preferences.
• The platform’s smart portfolio technology adapts the user’s work, ensuring it looks outstanding on any device, providing a responsive and user-friendly experience.

6 Tips for Picking a Portfolio Website Builder

The very best portfolio-building websites will help you:

Showcase your work and make it stand out

Choosing a portfolio website builder that allows you to showcase your work effectively is essential for any creative professional. These builders offer an extensive range of templates tailored specifically to highlight creative portfolios, ensuring that your artistic expressions take center stage. With visually captivating layouts and design options, you can present your skills and talents in a manner that sets you apart from the competition.

By having a dedicated gallery entirely dedicated to your work, you gain a distinct advantage in terms of exposure and differentiation. Visitors to your portfolio website will be able to browse through your creations without distractions, appreciating your unique style and artistic vision. The ability to customize these templates further allows you to infuse your personality into the presentation, reinforcing your brand identity.

Additionally, efficient navigation is vital for a successful portfolio website. A good website builder optimizes the user experience, making it easy for visitors to find what they are looking for and explore your portfolio seamlessly. Whether you are a visual artist, a photographer, a writer, or any other creative professional, the right portfolio website builder empowers you to create a striking and memorable online showcase for your work. 

With your creative prowess on full display, you can capture the attention of potential clients, employers, or collaborators, opening up new opportunities for your career.

Increase visibility and attract your audience

When selecting a portfolio website builder, prioritizing tools that enhance your online visibility and attract your target audience is paramount. The best website builders offer a range of features designed to boost your online presence and connect your website with social media platforms for cross-platform promotion. These marketing tools can significantly impact your ability to reach fans and potential clients effectively.

One key aspect of improving visibility is Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which enables your website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). The website builders come equipped with user-friendly SEO tools that allow you to add “alt tags” to images and “metadata” to webpages. These elements serve as descriptions for your portfolio website, helping search engines categorize and display your site to relevant audiences. 

Additionally, integrating a blog into your portfolio website can be a powerful content marketing tool. Regularly posting relevant and insightful content related to your creative work, industry insights, or behind-the-scenes stories can improve your website’s search engine rankings. For instance, a photographer who regularly writes blog posts about different film types used for landscape photography stands a better chance of ranking higher when users search for related topics.

Marketing tools provided by website builders further extend your outreach capabilities. Features like email marketing campaigns allow you to send news and updates directly to your audience, keeping them engaged with your latest creations. By leveraging these marketing resources offered by platforms like Wix and Squarespace, you can elevate your portfolio’s reach and cultivate a dedicated and appreciative audience for your creative work.

Expanse your network and seize opportunities

To make a lasting impression on prospective clients and seize lucrative opportunities, it is crucial to showcase your work effectively. The recommended portfolio website builders excel at helping you get noticed in the best possible way. With a wide array of templates, you can craft a portfolio that leaves a great first impression akin to a successful job interview.

User-friendly editors simplify website design, allowing you to create a dedicated contact page or add contact forms effortlessly. This convenience enables visitors to reach out to you directly, eliminating the need for cold emails or calls to attract business. By making it easy for potential clients to get in touch, you enhance your chances of securing valuable opportunities and valuable collaborations.

Website builders also streamline the process of adding SEO-boosting apps and features to improve your website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs). Optimizing your portfolio site for search engines opens doors to numerous new business opportunities as your work becomes more accessible and discoverable by a broader audience.

Save money

Opting for a website builder proves to be a cost-effective alternative to hiring a professional designer. Most website builders offer free plans, suitable for less demanding needs. However, if you desire additional features like more storage, templates, or a custom domain, upgrading to a paid premium plan becomes worthwhile.

With a relatively affordable price, premium plans not only allow you to build your portfolio website but also cover essential aspects like hosting, storage, and site security. This significantly saves your time, effort, and money, as you no longer need to handle these technical aspects independently or pay for them separately when working with a designer.

Paid plans also offer expanded storage space and bandwidth, which are crucial for the growth and engagement of your website. More storage permits you to add abundant content to keep users engaged, while increased bandwidth supports more visitors and higher traffic levels.

Save time and effort

Website builders offer drag-and-drop editors that make creating a stunning, professional-looking portfolio website incredibly easy and efficient, even for those with limited technical skills. The user-friendly drag-and-drop editors, also known as “What You See Is What You Get” (WYSIWYG) editors, allow you to select elements like text or images and effortlessly position them on your webpage.

With this intuitive approach to website building, you can see real-time changes in the editor that are immediately reflected on your live website. There’s no need to tinker with code, as the drag-and-drop interface eliminates the complexity of coding, allowing you to focus on crafting an impressive portfolio with ease.

Moreover, website builders provide pre-designed templates that you can edit to your preferences, enabling you to save time and effort without compromising on the quality of your website. Even if you have limited time available, working with these templates and customizing them to suit your needs is a viable option.

To ensure a smooth building experience, website builders offer extensive support and help resources. Features like in-editor tooltips and comprehensive tutorial videos, as offered by Wix and Squarespace, respectively, guide you through the website creation process and provide quick solutions to any issues that may arise.

Make profits by selling your work online

A portfolio website can do more than just showcase your work; it can also become a platform for selling your creative pieces, provided you choose the right website builder. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer ecommerce functionality, allowing you to set up an online store and sell your art or creations directly from your portfolio website.

Each website builder has different plans that include ecommerce functionality, and you’ll need to choose an ecommerce plan to enable online sales. For example, Wix offers ecommerce capabilities starting with its Core plan, priced at $27 per month. Squarespace’s Business plan, which costs $23 per month, allows you to sell online, and Shopify offers ecommerce features in its plan, priced at $29 per month.

If you’re unsure about selling online at the moment, you can still create your portfolio website with the standard plan and upgrade to an ecommerce plan later when you’re ready to start selling.

Summary

In conclusion, Squarespace emerges as the top-rated best portfolio-building website, boasting a diverse collection of beautiful and professionally-designed templates, serving as a solid foundation for crafting impressive portfolio websites. Following closely behind, Wix and GoDaddy each present their unique strengths and weaknesses. Wix impresses with its creative freedom, robust built-in features, and customization options, while GoDaddy’s ADI builder streamlines the process of creating a professional-looking website in no time. Whichever builder you select for your portfolio, we encourage you to share your experience with us. Happy building!

6 Best Portfolio Website Builders: FAQs

Do I need coding skills to use a portfolio website builder?

No, not all portfolio website builders require coding skills. Many popular website builders, such as Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, and WordPress, with page builders like Elementor or Divi, are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to individuals without coding knowledge. These builders offer pre-designed templates and a drag-and-drop interface, allowing users to customize their portfolios easily by simply selecting and arranging elements on the website.

However, having basic coding skills can be beneficial, especially if you want to fine-tune certain aspects of your portfolio website. Understanding HTML and CSS can help you make specific tweaks or modifications to the design and layout beyond what the templates offer. It can also be handy if you encounter any issues or need to troubleshoot problems.

What types of media should I showcase on my portfolio?

Common types of media to showcase on your portfolio include work samples, images, videos, written content, client projects, personal projects, podcasts, and websites to showcase your abilities and achievements in media communications. Keep your portfolio updated and focused on your best and most relevant work.

Can I integrate social media accounts into my portfolio website?

Yes, you can integrate social media accounts into your portfolio website. Many website builders and content management systems offer plugins, widgets, or built-in features that allow you to connect and display your social media feeds or links directly on your portfolio site.

What are three key features a portfolio builder should have?

Three key features that a portfolio builder should have are:

1. Customizable Templates: A portfolio builder should provide a variety of professionally designed templates that can be easily customized to match the user’s unique style and branding. This allows users to create visually appealing and personalized portfolios without the need for extensive design skills.
2. Responsive Design: In today’s mobile-centric world, it is essential for a portfolio website to be responsive and adapt seamlessly to different devices and screen sizes. A responsive design ensures that the portfolio looks great and functions effectively on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
3. Media Showcase: The best portfolio-building websites should offer robust support for displaying various types of media, such as images, videos, audio, and interactive content. It should provide an intuitive interface for organizing and presenting the user’s creative work in a visually engaging manner, making it easy for visitors to explore and appreciate the portfolio’s content.

Is Shopify good for building a portfolio website?

Certainly! With Shopify, you have the option to build a portfolio website that seamlessly integrates with your e-commerce shop. Adding e-commerce features to any website, be it a portfolio site or a simple personal website, is straightforward. Additionally, many e-commerce platforms provide free tools to effortlessly embed your store’s content into your website.