Should I Keep My Website or Switch to a Link-in-Bio Page?
As a seasoned web designer and developer with over 13 years of experience, currently serving as an art director at an agency, I’ve found myself reflecting on the necessity of my personal website. While it initially served as a platform for showcasing my freelance work, I’ve noticed that it has become a mere digital relic—hardly updated and drawing minimal traffic, mostly from spam bots or unrelated sources.
With the time for my hosting renewal drawing near and the price tag of $300 for the year looming large, I can’t help but question whether maintaining a standalone website is worth it anymore. Despite my professional background, my personal site hasn’t generated a single viable freelance inquiry through forms or outreach, making the decision feel even more pressing.
As I weigh my options, I’ve been contemplating transitioning to a simpler link-in-bio style page. This would allow me to maintain an online presence without the burden of upkeep that a traditional website demands.
The Decision to Streamline My Online Presence
After gathering some insights from friends and colleagues, I opted to downgrade my Webflow hosting plan—albeit without downloading a backup first. In exploring alternatives, I’ve come across platforms like linktr.ee and others designed for minimalistic online profiles. However, I’ve recently leaned towards hosting my content on Notion. This choice offers a hybrid solution, combining the essence of a straightforward link page with the functional aspects of a mini site.
As someone who spends my days designing and developing, the last thing I want to do in my free time is to manage or overhaul my portfolio site. It’s clear to me that my skills should speak for themselves, and I merely need a basic online presence to connect with potential clients.
Seeking Recommendations
If anyone has experience or suggestions for effectively hosting a Notion site, I would love to hear your thoughts. Your insights would greatly assist me in making this transition smoother. Thank you to everyone who has contributed their perspectives—I truly appreciate the support!
What are your thoughts on maintaining a personal website in today’s digital landscape? Do you share my experiences, or have you found your website to be invaluable in your professional journey?
2 responses to “Do you have your own website? Wondering if I should ditch mine.”
It’s great to hear that you’re reflecting on the value of your online presence as a professional web designer and developer. Given your established career and expertise, it’s understandable that you want to streamline your online commitments. Let’s explore some practical considerations regarding your current website and the potential transition to using a tool like Notion for your online portfolio.
Assessing Your Current Website
Traffic Analysis: While your website may not be generating significant traffic, it’s important to analyze why that’s the case. A simple Google Analytics setup can reveal much about your visitors, their behaviors, and traffic sources. If your site’s primary objective is to attract freelance work, perhaps looking into SEO or enhancing your site’s visibility through social media promotion could breathe new life into it.
Content Freshness: As you’ve noted, one of the main issues is that your site remains largely unupdated. Regularly updating your portfolio – even minimal updates like new projects or blog posts reflecting current trends in Web Design – could help draw in a relevant audience. Doing so also serves as a testament to your ongoing engagement in the field.
Cost vs. Value: The hosting cost is undoubtedly a factor, but consider the potential ROI. If your online presence could yield even one freelance project, would it justify the expense? Weighing this alongside your current workload and commitments is crucial.
Transitioning to a Link-in-Bio Tool
Moving towards a more minimalist approach with a link-in-bio style page can certainly simplify your online presence. However, it’s essential to think about how this format aligns with your professional image:
Brand Representation: While tools like Linktree and Notion can be visually appealing and functional, ensure they align with your personal brand as an art director. A well-crafted, intuitive design can also showcase your abilities and serve as a portfolio piece.
Portfolio Accessibility: When utilizing platforms like Notion, ensure that your work is easily navigable. Organize your projects clearly, and consider including brief descriptions or case studies to provide context and insight into your processes.
SEO and Discoverability: Unlike traditional websites, tools like Notion don’t inherently optimize for SEO. Consider supplementing your link-in-bio page with a blog on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn, where you can share design insights or project breakdowns, helping to create backlinks to your work.
Recommendations for Notion Hosting
If you choose to move your portfolio to Notion, here are some tips for crafting an optimal setup:
Customization: Use Notion’s features to create a visually engaging landing page. Employ icons and cover images that reflect your design style. You can also make use of databases within Notion to categorize your work by project type, date, or skills utilized.
Collaboration Tools: Notion allows for team collaboration, so if you’re collaborating with other professionals, you can share relevant pages easily. This can also be beneficial if a client is looking to discuss a project.
Connection to Other Platforms: Although Notion doesn’t offer custom domain hosting directly, services like Super.so or Potion.so can help you convert your Notion page into a fully functional website with a custom domain, increasing professional appeal while retaining user-friendly management.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the decision to keep or reconfigure your website should align with your professional goals and personal comfort. A minimal online presence can work well if it reflects your strengths and skills effectively. Investing in an updated, streamlined portfolio that utilizes Notion—and perhaps integrating it with a blog or other platforms for SEO—could serve as a valuable compromise that respects your time while keeping your professional brand visible and engaged.
It sounds like you’re on the right path with your decision-making. Best of luck with your new online strategy! If you have any additional questions as you transition, feel free to ask.
Thank you for sharing your reflections on the evolving role of personal websites in today’s digital landscape. Your experience resonates with many who have grappled with similar questions about the necessity of a standalone site in a world increasingly favoring simplified online presences.
One aspect worth considering is the potential for a personal website to serve not just as a portfolio, but as a dynamic storytelling platform. While it’s true that traffic trends can wax and wane, a personal site offers unique opportunities for branding and narrative that platforms like link-in-bio services may not fully capture. If you’re leaning towards a more streamlined approach, perhaps think about a hybrid model—using your Notion page for quick updates and showcasing key projects while maintaining a minimal website that could act as a fallback to offer more detailed content or a blog about your experiences and insights in Web Design.
Moreover, investing in SEO strategies, even for a simple site, could help increase your visibility over time. Even with minimal updates, having a well-structured site optimized for search engines could gradually attract more organic traffic. This could also position you favorably for freelance inquiries, especially if you incorporate a blog where you share expertise, case studies, or industry insights—thus establishing yourself as an authority in your field.
Lastly, regarding hosting content on Notion, many users find it user-friendly and visually appealing for showcasing portfolios. To transition smoothly, consider looking into templates that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your portfolio while also allowing for easy updates. Remember, the key is