Real‑world examples of best practices for online writing portfolios

1. Starting with real examples of best practices for online writing portfolios

Instead of theory, let’s begin with how actual writers set up their sites. These examples of best practices for online writing portfolios come from patterns you’ll see over and over in portfolios that win work.

Picture a freelance content writer named Maya:

• Her homepage has a one‑sentence headline: “I write clear, SEO‑friendly content that helps B2B startups get more demos.”
• Below that, she features three of her strongest pieces with short, results‑focused blurbs.
• There’s a clear “Work with me” button that leads to a short contact form.

Now compare that to a cluttered portfolio with 40+ links, no clear focus, and no explanation of what the writer actually does. Same talent, very different impact.

Maya’s site illustrates a core example of best practices for online writing portfolios: lead with clarity, not volume. Visitors should know who you are, what you write, and who you help within a few seconds.

2. Examples include: how many samples to show (and which ones)

One of the most common questions is, “How many clips do I need?” The best examples of online writing portfolios usually follow a simple pattern: fewer, better, and clearly labeled.

Here are some real‑world inspired examples of best practices for online writing portfolios when it comes to sample selection:

• A freelance blog writer who specializes in SaaS keeps 8–10 pieces on her main portfolio page. She groups them by type: long‑form blogs, thought leadership, and case studies.
• A journalist applying for staff roles features 6–8 clips and rotates them every few months to keep the portfolio current with recent bylines.
• A technical writer shows 5 detailed samples: a user guide, API documentation, a quick‑start guide, a release note, and a knowledge base article.

Notice the pattern:

• The samples are curated, not everything they’ve ever written.
• Each piece reflects the kind of work they want more of.

If you’re earlier in your career, you can still follow these examples of best practices for online writing portfolios by:

• Including well‑edited spec pieces (clearly labeled as such).
• Linking to guest posts on smaller blogs.
• Showcasing class projects or case studies where you can describe the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

Quality, relevance, and recency matter more than volume.

3. Layout examples of best practices for online writing portfolios

Let’s break down a simple layout you can copy and adapt. These examples of best practices for online writing portfolios focus on structure, not fancy design.

Example layout for a freelance writer

A clean single‑page layout can work extremely well:

• Hero section: A short headline, 1–2 sentence summary, and a photo or simple graphic.
• Featured work: 3–6 standout samples with thumbnails, titles, and 1–2 line descriptions.
• Services section: A short list of what you offer (blog posts, email sequences, landing pages, white papers, etc.).
• About section: A brief bio tailored to your audience, not your life story.
• Testimonials: 2–4 short quotes from clients or editors.
• Contact: A simple form or mailto link, plus LinkedIn.

Example layout for a staff‑job seeker

If you’re targeting full‑time roles (content strategist, staff writer, communications specialist), your layout might shift a bit:

• Intro: Who you are and the kind of roles you’re seeking.
• Portfolio grid: 8–12 pieces, tagged by topic or format (e.g., “Healthcare,” “Education,” “Op‑eds,” “Reports”).
• Impact highlights: Short notes under your strongest pieces: traffic increases, engagement metrics, or business outcomes when you have them.
• Resume section: A downloadable PDF plus a short summary of your experience.
• Contact and LinkedIn: Make it easy for hiring managers to reach you.

Both layouts follow the same example of best practices for online writing portfolios: make it obvious what you do, show your best work, and reduce the number of clicks between a visitor and your contact info.

4. Writing sample descriptions that actually sell your work

One of the best examples of missed opportunity in portfolios is the “naked link” — just a title and a URL. That forces the visitor to do all the work.

Instead, strong examples of best practices for online writing portfolios use short, focused descriptions. Think of each one as a mini case study.

For each sample, aim to include:

• Context: Who was the client or publication? What was the goal?
• Your role: Did you pitch the idea, interview sources, handle SEO, manage stakeholders?
• Outcome: Any results, even if modest.

Here’s a before‑and‑after example:

• Weak: “How to Choose a Project Management Tool – Blog post for Acme Software”
• Stronger: “How to Choose a Project Management Tool – 2,300‑word SEO blog post for Acme Software. I handled topic research, interviews with two project managers, and on‑page SEO. The article now ranks on page 1 for ‘project management tool for small teams’ and contributes ~1,500 visits/month.”

Even if you don’t have exact numbers, you can still describe the impact:

• “Helped the client clarify a complex topic for non‑technical readers.”
• “Supported a product launch by explaining new features in plain language.”
• “Increased email click‑through rates by testing new subject line angles.”

This style of description is one of the best examples of best practices for online writing portfolios because it shifts the focus from “I wrote words” to “I solved a problem.”

5. 2024–2025 trends: what modern writing portfolios now include

Online portfolios in 2024–2025 look a bit different than they did even a few years ago. If you want your site to feel current, here are examples of best practices for online writing portfolios that reflect what’s working now.

Showing you understand SEO and analytics

Even if you’re not an SEO specialist, hiring managers and clients increasingly expect writers to understand the basics of search and performance.

Modern portfolios often include:

• Mentions of keyword research or collaboration with SEO teams.
• Traffic or engagement metrics when available.
• Notes about how you used tools like Google Analytics or Search Console.

You don’t need to be an expert. Even a simple line like “Optimized for target keywords identified by the SEO team and updated based on performance data” shows you speak the language.

For a solid, non‑salesy primer you can reference or learn from, see Google’s own Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide (Google Search Central).

Demonstrating AI collaboration skills

In 2024–2025, many organizations expect writers to work with AI tools, not ignore them. Strong portfolios now sometimes include brief notes like:

• “Used AI to generate initial outlines, then rewrote and fact‑checked all content.”
• “Created prompt frameworks to speed up brainstorming while maintaining brand voice.”

If you do this, be honest and clear that you are responsible for accuracy, structure, and final quality. You can even mention that you follow reputable sources when fact‑checking (for health topics, sites like Mayo Clinic or MedlinePlus from the U.S. National Library of Medicine are widely trusted).

Accessibility and readability

Another emerging example of best practices for online writing portfolios is highlighting accessibility and readability:

• Mention if you write for specific reading levels (e.g., 8th‑grade reading level for patient education materials).
• Note if you follow recognized plain‑language guidelines.

For health or government‑style content, you can reference U.S. plain language guidance such as PlainLanguage.gov as a standard you aim to follow.

6. Platform choices: where to host your writing portfolio

You don’t need a fancy custom build. Many of the best examples of online writing portfolios use simple, well‑known platforms.

Common options include:

• Personal website builders like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress.com — good if you want your own domain and more control over layout.
• Writing‑focused platforms like Contently, Clippings.me, Authory, or Journo Portfolio — great if you want to get something live quickly.
• GitHub Pages or Notion — popular with technical writers and content designers who want a clean, minimal look.

Examples of best practices for online writing portfolios across all these platforms:

• Use a custom domain if you can (e.g., yournamewriter.com). It looks more polished and is easier to remember.
• Turn off distracting widgets and auto‑play features. The writing should be the star.
• Make sure your site is mobile‑friendly; many editors and hiring managers will first open your portfolio on their phone.

7. Building trust: about pages, testimonials, and social proof

Great writing samples get attention; trust gets you hired. The best examples of online writing portfolios use a few simple trust‑builders.

A focused About page

Your About page doesn’t need to be long. Aim for:

• A short paragraph about who you are and who you write for.
• A few relevant career highlights (industries, publications, or clients).
• A human detail or two so you don’t sound like a robot.

For instance:

“I’m a content writer based in Austin who helps climate tech startups explain complex ideas in plain English. Before freelancing, I worked in product marketing for a solar company, so I’m comfortable translating technical jargon into clear, persuasive copy.”

Testimonials and logos

If you have them, even two or three short quotes from clients, editors, or managers go a long way. Examples of best practices for online writing portfolios here include:

• Short, specific quotes: “She turned dense technical notes into a clear guide our customers loved.”
• Simple logo rows: “Writing featured in:” followed by publication or company logos.

If you don’t have testimonials yet, you can:

• Ask former managers or professors for a short LinkedIn recommendation.
• Offer a discounted first project in exchange for honest feedback and a testimonial.

8. Common mistakes (and better examples to copy instead)

To make this practical, here are some frequent portfolio missteps and better real‑world inspired examples you can model.

Mistake: Everything is on one long, chaotic page

Better example:

• A portfolio with clear sections: “Content Marketing,” “Journalism,” and “Technical Writing.” Each section has 3–5 handpicked samples.

Mistake: No context for pieces

Better example:

• Under each sample, a 1–3 sentence description explaining the goal, your role, and any impact. Even a line like “Helped the nonprofit explain a new program to donors” adds clarity.

Mistake: Outdated or irrelevant work dominates

Better example:

• A writer who transitioned from lifestyle blogging to healthcare content keeps one short “Earlier Work” section at the bottom but features only recent healthcare pieces at the top.

If you write about health or science, this is also where you can quietly reassure readers that you rely on reputable sources. Mentioning that you reference organizations like NIH or Harvard Health for background research can set you apart.

Mistake: No clear call to action

Better example:

• A simple line at the bottom of every page: “Ready to talk about your next project? Email me at [youremail] or connect on LinkedIn.”

These small shifts are some of the best examples of best practices for online writing portfolios because they respect your visitor’s time and make it easier to say “yes” to you.

9. Simple checklist: turning these examples into your own portfolio

To pull this all together, use these examples of best practices for online writing portfolios as a quick build‑or‑refresh checklist:

• Clarify your focus. Decide what kind of writing you want more of (blog posts, UX writing, health content, investigative reporting, etc.) and let that guide what you feature.
• Curate your samples. Aim for 6–12 strong, relevant pieces. It’s fine to start with fewer and add more over time.
• Add context and outcomes. Give each sample a short description that explains the goal and your role.
• Update for 2024–2025 expectations. Show that you understand SEO basics, analytics, and (if relevant) AI collaboration and accessibility.
• Polish the basics. Clean, readable fonts, plenty of white space, working links, fast load times, and mobile‑friendly design.
• Make contact easy. Clear calls to action, a simple contact form, and a visible email address.

If you apply even half of these, your site will already be ahead of many portfolios out there.

FAQ: examples of best practices for online writing portfolios

Q1: What are some quick examples of best practices for online writing portfolios if I only have an hour to improve mine?
Focus on three things: rewrite your homepage headline so it clearly states what you write and for whom; trim your samples down to your 6–10 best and add 1–2 sentence descriptions under each; and add a clear “Contact” link or button on every page.

Q2: Can you give an example of a strong headline for a writing portfolio homepage?
Yes. Instead of “Writer and Editor,” try something like: “I write clear, search‑friendly content for healthcare nonprofits and public health teams.” It instantly tells visitors what you do and who you help.

Q3: What are examples of good writing samples to include if I’m just starting out?
You can use well‑polished class assignments, guest posts, volunteer projects for nonprofits, or self‑initiated spec pieces. The key is to treat them like real work: edit them carefully, give them context, and explain what you were trying to achieve.

Q4: How often should I update my portfolio?
A good practice is to review it every 3–6 months. Swap in newer, stronger work and remove anything that no longer reflects the direction you want your career to go.

Q5: Do I need separate portfolios for different types of writing?
Not always. Many writers use one main site with clearly divided sections (for example, “Content Marketing,” “Journalism,” “Technical Writing”). If you serve very different audiences—say, poetry and B2B SaaS—you might consider separate pages or even separate sites so each audience sees the most relevant work first.