PROFESSIONAL WEBSITE, PRESENTATION AND BRAND 

In today’s digital age, a website is an essential tool for any freelancer, in the eyes of a future employer if you don’t have a website then you don’t exist.

We all know that having a professional website can truly enhance a freelancer’s career. Not only does it improve your status as a professional within your field but it is a vital gateway to new clients. Just having a site is only half the battle, there are a number of key elements that employers look for when reviewing a freelancer's website. Here are a few to consider.

• Make it easy for the employer to find the page they are looking for. It should take no more than 4 clicks for an employer to see your work, check your prices/services and hit the contact page before finally clicking 'send'. Test out your website starting from the homepage. Are you providing the employer with all the info they need to make a decision? 
• Your homepage should give the employer an immediate idea of who you are (your brand and style). Should you be using a full-screen image on your homepage, make sure it represents all the services you offer. If you offer more than one, a slideshow can help. Try to categorise your work into separate galleries particularly if you offer diverse services eg: fashion and wedding photography. 
• Make sure your site is responsive (fit on every device). Employers use mobiles and tablets too. A responsive website should look as beautiful on a mobile device as it does on your 48" computer.
• Ensure you've optimised your website. Basic SEO (search engine optimisation) doesn't require much. Think about the keywords employers may use eg: 'Event Photographer Brighton' and include these terms in your content and meta descriptions. There are ever-changing rules to SEO but if you can add in the easy-win keywords such as your name, it will help drive some organic traffic to your website.