As we’ve discussed, AI has been around for some time and can be very helpful in generating ideas, creating outlines, and even landing a job. Some beloved portfolio sites like Wix and Squarespace employ AI to generate improved copy and image placement choices, while making it super easy for the user. But there are other lesser-known, yet highly recommended website creation tools we’ve come across in our research. Get ready to be inspired, portfolio creators!
Format
About: Format is the leading portfolio site beloved by many photography pros. Similar to Squarespace, it brings gorgeous design to your fingertips. But unlike Squarespace, Format is devoted to the creative community and portfolios specifically—meaning there are more templates you’ll find that are applicable to your profession.
Why we love it: The design quality is high, it’s easy to use, and the price is super affordable. Starting at $5 a month, you can create an eye-catching portfolio with zero coding skills required. And the benefits go beyond typical portfolio sites, including SEO tools, copyright protections, and free custom domains (depending on the plan you choose). Plus, all Format plans include their Workflow suite, a built-in studio manager that allows you host client galleries, share files with clients and coordinate contracts. It’s truly the best for freelance creatives who want an affordable one-stop shop to run their whole business.
Durable
About: Durable is an AI website builder that takes your industry and portfolio title into consideration and generates a whole new website in seconds.
Why we love it: We mostly use AI for fun creative ideation and that’s what Durable does for portfolios. Don’t like your generated website? Durable lets you “regenerate” the portfolio design to your heart’s content. Once you find a design you like, you can save it and begin adding your professional work. For those who have portfolios that are more text-based (like copywriters and editors), Durable generates a clean-cut design that puts your work front-and center. Durable also includes AI blog-generation and an AI assistant—making it great for creators who are strapped on time but want to generate content about their work regularly.
Framer
About: Framer, like Durable, generates your website instantly and allows you to change everything about the design until you’re satisfied.
Why we love it: While most portfolio sites use templates, Framer pulls elements and arranges them in a Figma-style layout for web, tablet, and mobile. Then the interface invites you to play with colors, type, and element arrangements to your heart’s content. We especially love Framer for its versatility—you can truly create a website unlike any other and get to a design you like faster with the power of AI generation. There might be a learning curve to working with Framer, but treat it like a playground and you’ll find yourself getting closer to the portfolio of your dreams.
Webflow
About: Webflow is a website design tool that allows you to go deeper—right down to the code—with your portfolio design. Even if you don’t know how to code, Webflow can do it for you while teaching you how to build websites in the process.
Why we love it: Webflow has been around for a while as the go-to for startup websites, but we’d like to submit it for your consideration in portfolio creation. If you’re a designer or art director who has a vision of exactly what you want, Webflow is the tool for you. You can make your portfolio from scratch without having to know code or hire a professional. Plus you can scale your portfolio to include a shop, or other business integrations later on. It’s fun, it’s easy to use, and (bonus) if you’re a designer who wants to get into designing websites for others, Webflow allows you to do exactly that.
Elementor
About: From the makers of Wordpress comes Elementor—a website builder that allows for more creative freedom than their traditional product.
Why we love it: Back in the day Wordpress was the standard for getting your blog or portfolio up quickly and for free. So if you already have experience with Wordpress but want improved designs that can be tailored to your liking, Elementor might be exactly what you’re looking for. They also have their own AI tool (called Elementor AI) that helps you generate everything from content to copy to code whenever you’re stumped. Depending on which plan you go with you can achieve more flexibility and freedom. Their Pro plan, for example, gives you access to their website builder plugin where the sky’s the limit on what you can do with your portfolio site.
TLDR; Right now the job market is extremely tough, but AI and intuitive website-building tools can truly transform your portfolio from blah to wow in a matter of minutes. As long as you have fun, and are willing to invest a little time and money, you can build a website that goes beyond the expectations of both you and your clients.
Want to see what clients are looking for in a candidate? We have a list of job openings that can help you tailor your new portfolio and land you the job of your dreams.
