A website allows a freelance writer to not only look more professional in front of the clients but also gives a convenient way to store all the freelance writing portfolio clippings together.
Before we go any further, there is something I need to get off my chest – No client or editor wants to get portfolio clippings as DOC attachments, or worse, ZIP files.
If that’s what you do, then you need to stop doing that right now. Because trust me when I say this, there are much better options out there.
Yes, sending a ZIP file might seem easy to you, but is it? You have to continuously attach the same file to all the clients. Not only that, unzipping a file and opening a document takes a lot of time, which the client might not have if he already has a lot of other freelance writer proposals at hand.
Why get a freelance writer website?
Because it allows you to keep everything in one place, and most importantly, under one link. So, you can just share that one link with your clients where they can find your bio, resume, and portfolio. It might seem a lot of work right now, but essentially, you just have to set it and forget it. So, it’s only one-time work.
How much should you invest in a freelance writer website?
To that I say – To each his own.
When you are just starting to dip your feet in freelance writing, you might not want to invest anything in a website, and I get it.
But money makes money. If you want to become a high paying freelance writer, and you believe in it, then you should be willing to invest in your future.
Which platform to choose for a freelance writer website
WordPress
WordPress is an ideal solution for most new website owners since it gives you control on the backend and is highly reliable. If you are a freelance writer who essentially writes for websites, then chances are you have already used WordPress.
Though designing website can be a little tricky if you have no coding experience. You can either hire a website designer or give a try to drag and drop websites.
Charges – WordPress hosting costs depend on the provider you use. GoDaddy, for instance, charges INR 99 per month
Cons – Lots of backend coding. No dedicated support.
Squarespace
Squarespace is essentially made for people who want to create their own websites but do not have the right coding skills for it. It’s for people who care more about the look of the website than what tags to use.
There are many themes available on Squarespace which you can modify. There is absolutely no coding needed, all you have to do is drag and drop elements. I have experimented with Squarespace a bit and it would take you less than 10 minutes to get a website up and running.
Charges – Starts at $20 per month, which also includes a free website domain. It is definitely higher than WordPress but you don’t have to hire a website designer or search for help if the website shows issues. Unlike WordPress, Squarespace has dedicated support.
Cons – If Squarespace goes down, your website goes down. Also, registering your domain with Squarespace means it would be difficult to change the backend and still keep the same URL. You could buy the domain separately, but then it would get even more expensive.
Blogger
Yes, Blogger by Google isn’t much liked by many because it does not provide any SEO support or detailed customization features like WordPress or Squarespace. But if you just need an affordable website to showcase your bio and portfolio which you can share with your clients, then Blogger can be a great option.
The best part is – Blogger is free. The only thing you pay for is the domain, which automatically makes this option the cheapest.
And no, the web interface doesn’t look as cheap. My personal website still runs on Blogger and I quite like it. There are thousands of Blogger templates available for free online, which you can easily install and give your website a modern look.
Cons – Restricted options. It is only great if you are looking to post information and are not looking for a very bunch of advanced features.
Pros – Its cheap. Also, easy to move to another backend
Get your domain name from a separate vendor
And then find a hosting. Do not combine those two, even if you are getting a great offer. That way, even if you don’t like the hosting website, you can always switch to a new one without actually losing the website URL.
What if you don’t want to create a freelance writer website yet?
Just use one of the free freelance writer portfolio websites to create your own portfolio online, which you can easily share with your clients.
