5 Ways to Enhance Your Personal Website

By Sonia Sharma

Why have a personal website?
A personal website is a great tool and way to market yourself, start networking and find an internship or job. A personal website allows for potential employers to see a consistent profile being presented and become familiar with the person's personality and aesthetics as well. In today's day and age, a website acts as a personal profile and can prove to be the determining factor in many employers' decisions.  In other words, it is essential for college students to have a personal website to showcase their work. However, many college students struggle with creating a website that will stand out and attract attention. So how exactly can you enhance your website so it sticks out? Here are five tips that will definitely help!

1. Introduce the two W’s right away
Who are you and what do you do? A personal website should include details about you and what you do right off the bat. You want to catch people's attention so attach a few pictures of you, relaxed, in your element and natural looking that gives off your vibe and include a few words about yourself. However, do NOT write about your entire life. People are skimming through and trying to come to a general conclusion fast, so include details that describe you in the sense of a bigger picture, yet capture key points. 

2. Include a color scheme that is pleasing to the eye 
The power of color is often underestimated; it is a powerful tool. Now, no one knows your style, taste and aesthetic better than you, so take it and show everyone how you love your feed! Your website is your medium, utilize it and style it how you would imagine your office. What color palette would you like? How would you like the design? What about the contrast? Colors help humans visualize, associate and recognize. You want the color scheme and palettes to go hand in hand with your personal brand and not contradict it. 

3. Showcase your best work
So you've introduced yourself and talked about your profession, but now you are just going to call it a day? Absolutely not! Remember, this website is your profile, how is one going to know if you can even get the job done if they have not seen any examples? This is the time to shine and include what you believe is your best work. This can be a paper, a project, a model, anything as long as it pertains to you and your talent and showcases your capability and abilities to the best. Your creative projects are what make you a good potential employee!

4. Include a blog
A blog is the perfect medium to showcase your in-depth knowledge and understanding of the creative industry/department you are looking to grow and branch into. It is also a place where you can showcase your writing skills, connect and grow with other people interested in what you offer and build your credibility. In addition to giving companies and organizations a look at your thoughts and taking on certain topics, a blog can help boost traffic to your website. 
​
5. Include your social media handles
Your website is great, it gives a brief look at you and your brand. However your social media is another way to build your connections and reputation. When you include your social media handles on your website, not only does traffic grow on your social media accounts, it also provides a more intimate look into your life. With that being said, it is also important to make changes to your social media accounts if you think they might be a problem. Better yet, only include social media accounts you know companies and organizations will be okay viewing or create separate social media accounts for this purpose.

Now it’s time to get to work! Build your personal website and show the world what you’ve got to offer.