Your Website Is More Than a Portfolio; It’s a Living, Breathing Business Tool
Image courtesy of Cosmos
It’s getting harder and harder to show up on Google. Between paid ads, content-saturated platforms, and ever-changing algorithms, even the most beautifully designed websites can get buried under the noise. For artists and designers, that makes visibility more than just a marketing concern; it’s a survival skill.
Your website is no longer just a place to house your portfolio. It’s your online brick-and-mortar: a space to showcase your work, express your point of view, guide visitors through an experience, and convert interest into opportunity. But for it to work, it can’t just sit there, it needs to be active, strategic, and up to date.
Custom but Functional
You don’t need to choose between good design and good UX. Platforms like Squarespace and Wix make it possible to build a site that feels entirely your own, without sacrificing clarity or usability. Your site should be easy to navigate, intuitive to update, and polished enough to reflect the quality of your work.
A recent homepage update MODRNPR made for artist Katrien Van der Schueren.
Consistent Updates, Stronger Performance
An outdated site isn’t just a missed opportunity, it’s a red flag. If you haven’t updated your portfolio since 2022, or your last blog post is a holiday message from last year, you’re leaving potential inquiries on the table. Treat your website the way you treat your studio, regularly maintained, visually aligned, and always ready to welcome guests.
Jessica Gersten Design’s updated homepage.
Yes, You Need a Blog
A blog isn’t about being a “content creator.” It’s about signaling to search engines that your site is active and relevant. Publishing just once a month, an article answering common client questions, highlighting a new project, or offering a behind-the-scenes look, can dramatically improve your SEO. It also builds trust and gives future clients a reason to stick around.
Feed the Algorithm
Search engines want fresh, keyword-rich content. Dedicating just 1 to 2 hours a month to update metadata, add alt text to images, and refine your keywords can keep your site climbing the rankings. It’s not hard, it’s just about having a system. Set a recurring reminder, keep a running list of blog post ideas, and revisit the keywords your clients are actually searching for.
Consistent Updates, Stronger Performance
An outdated site isn’t just a missed opportunity, it’s a red flag. If you haven’t updated your portfolio since 2022, or your last blog post is a holiday message from last year, you’re leaving potential inquiries on the table. Treat your website the way you treat your studio, regularly maintained, visually aligned, and always ready to welcome guests.
Your website doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be active. Beautiful. Usable. Strategic.