Best online portfolio approach

velvetelvis70 · #1 08-17-2012, 10:04 AM

Hi - I'm quite new to selling work online and was just wondering if there is a 'norm' for online portfolio sites. (I see squarespace used a lot?)
I'd like to use my own domain name, as easy as possible to update and manage, economic as possible to maintain and to be independent (ie - not to have behance or a company name attached).
Any suggestions?

RobinZ · #2 08-17-2012, 10:47 AM

I don't mean to ignore your question, but don't know about squarespace and am not that website savvy.

I used godaddy until recently when I migrated it all over to a blogger blog, which works for me but isn't what you are interested in.

Welcome to wetcanvas, btw!

tuzigoot · #3 08-17-2012, 02:22 PM

Just signing in here to see what people have to say on this.

velvetelvis70 · #4 08-18-2012, 05:13 AM

Thanks for the replies - For comparison, squarespace offer a template-based site with your own domain name for $10 a month. So I was wondering if anyone was using any comparable or better service?

**Greg Long** · #5 08-18-2012, 07:12 AM

I use a standard paid for hosting service, with my own domain name. Currently my site is a paid-for template based entity, my own designed site is still in it's Beta testing stage... for two years now

I really must finish it off or update my current website.

markshirar · #6 08-24-2012, 11:22 AM

I actually us my facebook page as my main portfolio hub. I'm not sure if that's the best place for it, but I like the networking benefits of it as well as the interaction it gives as far as people commenting and such. I haven't made a big push to sell my work, but have sold a few things there.

**Greg Long** · #7 08-24-2012, 02:49 PM

It should be noted that Ipad's, iphones and many similar do not read flash or Adobe programs. Any new sites need to be aware of this as many viewers now use ipads and android phones to browse the internet.
It has come time to dumb-down and simplify websites to make them readable on all web viewing items.

webart · #8 08-25-2012, 09:03 AM

Sounds like Weebly would be just right for you. They allow you to use your own domain on both free and paid websites. You can even register a domain through them but is is much better and less expensive to get a domain at a registrar and then just point it at a site at weebly.

artyczar · #9 08-25-2012, 12:46 PM

There is a simple template called ArtCat that I have noticed a lot of artists and galleries are using. I like it because it's simple and clean. I do not use it however, but if I needed a template, that's the one I'd choose.

I do not use any template. My site is coded from scratch because I'm an ubergeek.

But the best portfolio site is your own website, not another site that hosts thousands of artists, if that was what you meant.

Abstract1 · #10 08-25-2012, 01:55 PM

I use viewbook to host an online portfolio. I have my own domain name through godaddy. I found it to be really easy to use. I needed to embed video which you can do with them. They don't have templates but a series of modules you choose from to create your own look. It's really easy to change it whenever I want. And they have an iPad app so I can show my portfolio to someone on the go.

Squarespace looks interesting and I want to investigate it more thoroughly to compare.

2hype · #11 08-26-2012, 08:04 AM

I use indexhibit. It's a free CMS that is easily customizable.

Freesail · #12 08-26-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artyczar

There is a simple template called ArtCat that I have noticed a lot of artists and galleries are using. I like it because it's simple and clean. I do not use it however, but if I needed a template, that's the one I'd choose.

I do not use any template. My site is coded from scratch because I'm an ubergeek.

I had a look at ArtCat and saw what you mean by it being a simple layout. I think if I was going to use a template site like that, I would go with artspan. I happen to like the look better.

BitsOfNature · #13 08-26-2012, 11:35 AM

If you are interested in doing your own site from scratch, hosting is quite cheap anymore. The hosting service I use is less then $10 per month and includes allowing you to create a few thosand email addresses for when your business grows that much and you are hiring like crazy ; ). It does mean you need to be a bit savvy with creating your pages vs. a template-based hosting service but does give you total controll.

Regards,
Dale

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