If you’ve decided to start freelancing, creating your own website is one of the best investments you can make. It gives you complete control over your online presence, helps potential clients learn more about you, and can become a valuable source of enquiries over time.
I’m a freelancer myself, specialising in Google Ads and SEO, and I’d recommend that every freelancer creates a website. Whether you build it under your own name or as a business, having a professional website makes you look more credible and gives you a place to showcase what you do.
In this guide, I’ll explain exactly what I use for my own websites, along with some practical tips to help you get the most from yours.
Buy Your Domain Name First
Before you build anything, you’ll need to purchase a domain name. This is your website address and should ideally be something that’s easy to remember and relevant to your business.
Personally, I use Porkbun (yes, it sounds a bit strange!) to purchase my domains, but there are plenty of domain registrars available.
I’m not going to walk through the process step by step, as it’s fairly straightforward, but once you’ve secured your domain, you’re ready to start building your website.
Choose a Website Builder
The next step is deciding how you want to build your website.
There are plenty of website builders available, but these are the ones I’d recommend:
- Squarespace – I use this for my consulting businesses and find it simple to manage.
- WordPress – This website runs on WordPress, and it’s incredibly flexible if you’re planning to grow your site over time.
- Framer – A modern option that’s becoming increasingly popular.
- AI-powered website builders and coding tools – There are now tools that can generate websites using AI or code, which can save time if you’re comfortable using them.
There’s no single “best” option. The right choice depends on your budget, technical confidence and how much flexibility you want.
Create Pages That Help You Get Clients
Once your website is live, the next goal is getting clients through it.
One of the most important things to learn is SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). SEO is the process of helping your website appear when people search for services like yours on Google or Bing.
Think about exactly what your ideal client is searching for.
For example, if you’re a dog photographer based in London, your homepage should clearly mention phrases like:
- Dog photographer in London
- London dog photography
- Professional pet photographer
You can then create dedicated pages for more specific services or audiences.
For example:
- Pit Bull photographer in London
- Puppy photography in London
- Outdoor dog photography
These pages target more specific searches and can help you attract visitors who know exactly what they’re looking for.
I do something similar with my own website. Although I’m primarily a Google Ads freelancer, my website covers a wider range of digital marketing services. This allows me to attract visitors through different service pages while still generating enquiries for my core freelance work.
Build Trust With Your Website
Not every page on your website is designed to rank on Google.
Some pages exist simply to reassure potential clients that you’re someone they can trust.
I’d recommend including pages such as:
- An About Me page
- Your portfolio
- Case studies
- Contact page
These help visitors understand who you are, what you’ve done and why they should choose you.
It’s also worth adding reviews and testimonials wherever possible. Social proof goes a long way in building confidence, especially if someone has never worked with you before.
The more evidence you can provide that you’re experienced and reliable, the better.
Promote Your Freelance Website
A new website won’t automatically receive visitors, so it’s important to promote it.
One of the easiest places to start is LinkedIn. Add your website to your profile so anyone viewing your page can quickly learn more about your services.
You should also share your website across your social media accounts. If you’re posting useful content or talking about your freelance work, linking back to your website gives people somewhere to learn more or get in touch.
Google will also begin discovering your website over time. SEO isn’t instant, but if you continue improving your pages and creating useful content, your visibility can gradually increase.
The key is to keep developing your website rather than expecting results overnight.
Don’t Forget to Write Blog Posts
One of the best ways to grow your website over the long term is by publishing blog posts.
People search Google every day with questions about different industries. If you create helpful articles that answer those questions, your website has a chance of appearing in the search results.
This website is a good example. Much of its traffic comes from blog posts about freelancing. Someone might search a question about becoming a freelancer, discover one of my articles, and then decide to explore the rest of the website or enquire about my services.
Writing useful content consistently helps establish your website as a trustworthy resource while creating more opportunities for people to discover your business.
If you can regularly answer the questions your target audience is already searching for, you’ll steadily build both your authority and your visibility.
Conclusion
Building a freelance website doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by securing your domain, choose a website builder you’re comfortable with, and focus on creating pages that clearly explain what you offer.
From there, spend time learning the basics of SEO, showcase your experience with a portfolio and testimonials, promote your website through LinkedIn and social media, and continue growing it by publishing helpful blog posts.
Your website won’t start bringing in clients overnight, but with consistent improvements and useful content, it can become one of the most valuable assets in your freelance business.
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