If you want to succeed as a writer — whether you’re a freelancer, content creator, or aspiring author — having an online portfolio is essential. It showcases your best work, helps you attract clients or job opportunities, and proves your credibility as a professional. But building a portfolio from scratch might sound intimidating, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Luckily, there are several easy-to-use tools that let you create stunning, professional online portfolios — no web design skills required. Let’s explore the best tools to create your writing portfolio and make your work stand out.
1. Contently
Contently is a popular platform for freelance writers looking to impress potential clients. It allows you to create a clean, polished portfolio by uploading links to your published work. Each piece gets its own visual card, making your portfolio look organized and engaging. Plus, Contently connects writers with brands looking for freelancers — so your portfolio doubles as a marketing tool. It’s entirely free, making it an excellent starting point for beginners.
2. Journo Portfolio
Journo Portfolio is an easy-to-use, customizable platform designed specifically for writers. It offers multiple design themes, allowing you to match your portfolio to your personal style or branding. You can add articles, PDFs, and blog posts — and even create different sections for various writing niches. Journo Portfolio also has built-in analytics to track how often your portfolio gets viewed. The free version supports a basic portfolio, while premium plans offer a custom domain and advanced design features.
3. Clippings.me
Clippings.me is another user-friendly platform tailored to writers, journalists, and content creators. It allows you to showcase articles, blog posts, and even multimedia content like podcasts. The layout is clean and professional, and you can write a bio to introduce yourself to potential clients. The free version supports up to 10 clippings, which is enough to start. If you want more features, like a custom domain, you can upgrade to a paid plan.
4. Wix
If you want more creative freedom, Wix is a versatile website builder that lets you design a full website — including a writing portfolio. It offers drag-and-drop customization, beautiful templates, and even SEO tools to help people find your portfolio online. You can create separate pages for different types of writing, like blog posts, copywriting, or fiction. Wix has a free version (with Wix branding) or paid plans if you want a custom domain and more advanced features.
5. WordPress
WordPress is a powerful platform for writers who want to combine their portfolio with a blog or personal website. It offers thousands of themes, many of which are customizable and designed specifically for portfolios. While the free version is enough to build a simple portfolio, you’ll likely want a paid plan to remove ads and get a custom domain. WordPress is a fantastic option if you plan to create content regularly or expand your website over time.
6. Carbonmade
Carbonmade is a visually appealing portfolio builder originally made for designers — but it works beautifully for writers too. It offers eye-catching templates and allows you to organize different types of content into separate galleries. While Carbonmade’s focus is on creative professionals, its sleek, modern designs are a great way to make your writing portfolio pop. It’s a paid tool, but the visual appeal might be worth the investment if you want to stand out.
7. Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its gorgeous, professional website templates — and it’s a great option for writers who want a portfolio that looks polished and high-end. It’s more customizable than dedicated portfolio platforms, allowing you to design a full personal brand around your writing. Squarespace offers a free trial, but you’ll need a paid plan for ongoing use and a custom domain. It’s ideal for freelancers who want to present themselves as a premium service.
8. Behance
Behance is widely known as a portfolio platform for designers and artists, but writers can use it too — especially if you work on creative writing, scripts, or content marketing. You can upload samples, write project descriptions, and even show off visual elements of your work. It’s a good fit for writers who collaborate with visual creatives or those who want to give their portfolio a more artistic edge. Best of all, it’s completely free.
9. Muck Rack
Muck Rack is designed primarily for journalists and PR writers, but it’s worth mentioning for anyone in those fields. It automatically compiles your published articles from major media outlets, saving you the hassle of manually uploading links. It also works as a directory where editors and PR teams can find writers — giving you more visibility and potential work opportunities. Muck Rack is free for journalists and media professionals.
10. Canva
While Canva isn’t technically a portfolio builder, it’s a fantastic design tool for creating a visual portfolio that you can export as a PDF or website graphic. You can design a sleek, scrollable document showcasing your best work, along with testimonials, your bio, and contact information. This is especially useful for pitching clients directly or submitting applications that require a portfolio attachment. Canva offers a free version with plenty of templates, and the Pro plan unlocks more design features.
Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Tool for Your Writing Goals
Creating an online writing portfolio doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. The key is choosing the tool that best fits your needs, whether that’s a straightforward portfolio builder like Contently, a customizable website platform like Wix or Squarespace, or a creative design tool like Canva. A well-designed, organized portfolio helps you showcase your writing style, attract new clients, and prove your credibility — giving you a competitive edge in the writing world. Ready to build a portfolio that makes a lasting impression? Pick a tool, upload your best work, and start sharing your talent with the world!