How I Built a Portfolio Website from Scratch (And You Can Too)

How I Built a Portfolio Website from Scratch (And You Can Too)

When I first decided to build my own portfolio website, I had no idea where to begin. The idea of creating something from nothing—designing, coding, launching—felt intimidating. But looking back, I’m glad I didn’t wait for perfection. I just started. And step by step, the pieces came together.

If you’re thinking about building your own portfolio site but aren’t sure where to start, I want to share how I did it—from the first sketch to the final launch—and how you can do it too.

Step 1: Defining the Purpose and Content

Before touching any design tools or code editors, I sat down and asked myself:
What do I want this website to do?

For me, the answer was simple:

• Showcase my web development projects

• Tell my story and skills

• Provide an easy way for people to contact me

Once I had that clarity, I made a list of the key pages:

• Home

• About Me

• Projects/Portfolio

• Contact

I gathered all the content I needed—photos, descriptions of my work, a short bio, and links to my socials. Planning this early made the rest of the process much smoother.

Step 2: Sketching Out the Design

You don’t need fancy tools for this part. I literally grabbed a notebook and started sketching. I mapped out how I wanted each page to look—where the menu would go, how I’d present my projects, and what kind of color scheme I liked.

If you’re not a designer, don’t worry. Look at other portfolio websites for inspiration. See what you like, borrow ideas, and make it your own.

Step 3: Choosing Tools and Technologies

Since I wanted full control and a chance to practice my skills, I decided to build the site from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. But there are other great options too:

• Portfolio builders like Webflow or Wix (no code required)

• Static site generators like Jekyll or Hugo

• JavaScript frameworks like React or Vue (if you're feeling adventurous)

Pick what matches your current skill level. There’s no “one right way.”

Step 4: Building It Piece by Piece

I started small: a basic layout with a header, a few sections, and a footer. I focused on one page at a time. I made mistakes, changed things, Googled constantly—and learned more than I ever expected.

Pro tip: Don’t try to do everything at once. Small progress is still progress.

Step 5: Making It Responsive and Accessible

Once the layout worked, I made sure it looked good on phones and tablets. I tested it on different screen sizes, adjusted fonts and spacing, and made sure buttons and links were easy to tap.

I also paid attention to accessibility—using proper HTML tags, adding alt text to images, and ensuring good contrast. I wanted everyone to be able to view my site.

Step 6: Launching It

When everything was ready, I bought a domain name and used GitHub Pages to host it for free. There are tons of hosting options out there—Netlify, Vercel, Firebase, or traditional web hosts. Choose what fits your needs.

Seeing my work live on the web felt amazing. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine—and it worked.

Lessons I Learned

• Start simple. Don’t get caught up in flashy features.

• Done is better than perfect. You can always improve it later.

• Use your portfolio to show your personality, not just your skills.

• Ask for feedback from friends, mentors, or online communities.

• Keep updating it as you grow and complete more projects.

You Can Do It Too

If you’ve been thinking about building your own portfolio site, here’s your sign to start. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to begin.

Sketch it. Build it. Break it. Fix it. Launch it.