Disclaimer: This blog post was created with the assistance of AI. While the content reflects my personal experiences and insights, the AI was used to enhance the writing process and ensure clarity.
A couple of years ago, I came across this website: bruno-simon.com. It was a moment of online awe! Suddenly, a two-page PDF resume felt inadequate. Ever since then, I've wanted a portfolio website of my own. I wanted that level of unique expression. But JavaScript? 3D? Animation? My lazy procrastination and the perceived need to learn new languages and libraries kept me from starting.
Then, I came across other portfolio websites, such as nibrahim.net.in and corgima.com. Their minimalist and simple designs, almost devoid of complex CSS, powerfully conveyed their unique style and personalities.
I concluded that my portfolio website didn't need 3D elements; it just needed to scream "ME." Last year, during my college applications, I began building it. Initially, I wanted to fully code it myself, but I ended up using an open-source tool called Odoo (I’m open to no-code/low-code now, haha). It took weeks, but I ensured it went beyond a resume, reflecting my personal style and philosophies.
The following are some tools that allow you to build and host websites for free:
1. GitHub Pages:
- Authenticity: Highly reputable, backed by GitHub (Microsoft).
- How it Works:
- Allows you to host static websites directly from your GitHub repository.
- Ideal for personal portfolios, project documentation, and simple blogs.
- Uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Pros:
- Free hosting.
- Version control with Git.
- Custom domain support.
- Great for developers.
- Cons:
- Requires some familiarity with Git and web development basics.
- Primarily for static sites.
- Not very user-friendly for those without coding knowledge.
- Link: https://pages.github.com/
2. Netlify:
- Authenticity: A well-established platform for modern web development.
- How it Works:
- Offers free hosting for static websites and single-page applications.
- Integrates seamlessly with Git repositories.
- Provides features like continuous deployment and serverless functions (with limitations on the free plan).
- Pros:
- Easy deployment.
- Continuous integration.
- Free SSL certificates.
- User-friendly.
- Cons:
- Free tier has usage limits.
- More geared towards developers.
- Link: https://www.netlify.com/
3. Odoo:
- Authenticity: Odoo is a robust open-source suite of business applications, including a website builder.
- How it Works:
- Offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop website builder.
- Provides a wide range of features, including e-commerce, blogging, and CRM integration.
- The website builder portion can be used for free.
- Pros:
- Very user-friendly.
- Feature-rich.
- Visually appealing results.
- Cons:
- Can be resource-intensive.
- The free version has some limitations, and the full power of the platform is in the paid version.
- Link: www.odoo.com
Ultimately, building a personal website is investing in yourself. My journey from awe-struck viewer to website creator taught me that originality and uniqueness trumps complexity. Your portfolio isn't just a collection of skills and information; it's a reflection of your perspective and your journey. So, take the leap, experiment, make mistakes and build something that truly represents you. It's a totally rewarding experience, and you might just surprise yourself.
If you're interested in having me build a custom portfolio website for you, feel free to drop me an email !!