How to Create a Portfolio Website for FREE

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to create a portfolio website for free, showcasing your data analyst projects. We'll explore two methods: using a website builder like Wix, and hosting your own site with GitHub Pages. This step-by-step guide will help you build an attractive and functional portfolio to impress potential employers.

Chapter 1: Choosing Your Website Option

1. Website Builders vs. GitHub Pages

   • Wix: A user-friendly website builder. Offers a range of templates; however, a custom URL requires a paid plan.
   • GitHub Pages: A free option ideal for those with some coding knowledge. You will host your site on GitHub, using HTML templates.

2. Website Template

   • Use a template from HTML5 UP for a professional look. Choose one that suits your style and content.

Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Development Environment

1. Download Visual Studio Code

   • Visit the Visual Studio Code website and download the software. Follow the installation instructions.

2. Download the HTML Template

   • Navigate to HTML5 UP, select a template, and download it by clicking on the "Free Download" button.
   • Extract the downloaded zip file into a new folder (e.g., "portfolio_website").

Chapter 3: Building Your Website

1. Open Visual Studio Code

   • Launch Visual Studio Code and open your folder containing the HTML template.

2. Install Live Server Extension

   • Search for the "Live Server" extension in Visual Studio Code and install it. This allows you to view changes in real time.

3. Customize Your HTML

   • Open the index.html file in Visual Studio Code.
   • Modify the <title> to reflect your name and portfolio (e.g., "Alex the Analyst Portfolio").
   • Update the header section with a brief introduction about yourself and your skills (e.g., "Data Analyst skilled in SQL, Tableau, and Python").

4. Add Your Projects

   • Locate the section for featured posts in the HTML file.
   • For each project, update the title, description, and links. Use the following format:

     <h2>Data Cleaning in SQL</h2>
     <p>In this project, we clean housing data in SQL Server.</p>
     <a href="your_project_url_here">View Project</a>
     

5. Link Images

   • Place your project images in the designated images folder.
   • Update the image source in your HTML:

     <img src="images/housing.jpg" alt="Housing Data Cleaning">
     

Chapter 4: Hosting Your Website on GitHub Pages

1. Create a GitHub Account

   • Sign up for a free account at GitHub if you don't have one.

2. Create a New Repository

   • Name your repository in this format: yourusername.github.io.
   • Choose the option to create a new repository and upload your project files.

3. Upload Your Files

   • Drag and drop all files from your project folder into the newly created repository.

4. Configure GitHub Pages

   • Go to the repository settings, scroll to the GitHub Pages section, and select the main branch.
   • Save your settings, and your site will be published at https://yourusername.github.io.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully created and hosted your portfolio website for free. This project allows you to showcase your skills and projects to potential employers. Consider adding more projects over time and customizing your site further. Share your website link on LinkedIn to enhance your professional presence. Happy coding!