How to Setup a Portfolio in Squarespace and Style It Like a Pro

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Full disclosure here.

Creating a portfolio on your Squarespace website is an effective way to showcase your work, attract potential clients, and establish your professional online presence. Squarespace offers a range of options to help you set up a visually appealing and user-friendly portfolio.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a portfolio, customize its layout, and add content to your projects.

Quick Fix

5 Step to Set Up a Portfolio in Squarespace:

1. Navigate to the Squarespace dashboard and Click "Pages," then “+ Add,” and select "Portfolio."
2. Click into a project to access the settings menu.
3. Add a featured image, SEO title, and custom URL slug
4. Adjust layout settings: grid size, spacing, and number of columns.
5. And Publish

Learn More about How to make a website on Squarespace

Creating a Portfolio Page

1. Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to the Pages panel.

2. Click the "+" icon next to the navigation section where you want to add your portfolio page.

3. Select "Portfolio" from the options and choose a layout for your portfolio page.

4. Enter a title for your portfolio page and press Enter.

Customizing Portfolio Layout

1. Click "Edit" on your portfolio page to access the layout options.

2. Hover over the portfolio section and click the pencil icon to open the settings.

3. Under the "Format" tab, use the "Layout" dropdown menu to select your preferred layout:

   • Grid: Simple - Arranges featured images in a grid with titles below.

   • Grid: Overlay - Displays featured images in a grid with titles overlaying the images.

   • Hover: Background - Shows project titles with featured images replacing the background on hover.

   • Hover: Fixed - Presents project titles with featured images in a fixed position on hover.

   • Hover: Follow Cursor - Displays project titles with featured images following the cursor on hover.

4. Adjust the styling options for your chosen layout, such as image size, title alignment, and background color.

5. Click "Save" to apply your changes.

Adding and Editing Projects

1. Click on a project in the side panel to open it.

2. Click "Edit" to add and customize content for your project.

3. Use the "Add Section" button to insert different types of content, such as text, images, galleries, and videos.

4. Adjust the settings for each section as needed.

5. Click "Save" when you're done editing the project.

Optimizing for Mobile

1. Preview your portfolio on mobile devices to ensure it looks good on smaller screens.

2. Consider using a layout that doesn't rely on hover effects, as they may not work as intended on mobile.

3. Ensure your project thumbnails are sized appropriately for mobile display.

Detail Guide On: How to Optimize Website For Mobile

Best Practices for Portfolios

1. Select high-quality, visually appealing images to represent your projects.

2. Write concise, informative descriptions for each project to provide context.

3. Organize your projects into categories or collections for better navigation.

4. Keep your portfolio up-to-date by regularly adding new projects and removing outdated ones.

5. Optimize your portfolio for search engines by using relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags.

Learn More about Squarespace Pricing & Squarespace Personal VS Business Plan

Conclusion

Setting up a portfolio on Squarespace is a straightforward process that allows you to showcase your work effectively.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing best practices, you can create a professional and engaging portfolio that attracts potential clients and showcases your skills. Remember to regularly update and optimize your portfolio to maintain its relevance and impact.