Architecture and web: why your online portfolio is crucial

The portfolio is no longer just a space to display your achievements, but also a venue for presenting the challenges and constraints of each project. It should explain your approach as an architect and demonstrate how you have addressed the specific constraints of each project.

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With approximately 30,000 architects registered with the professional body in 2021 and a high concentration of architects in certain regions, your online portfolio becomes a crucial tool for standing out and reaching a new audience.

The portfolio is no longer just a space to display your achievements, but also a venue for presenting the challenges and constraints of each project. It should explain your approach as an architect and demonstrate how you have addressed the specific constraints of each project.

Creating a well-structured portfolio allows you to showcase your vision, your identity, and your firm to potential clients, partners, and collaborators across a broader area. When creating your website, there are several points to consider to improve your SEO and differentiate yourself with your values.

The Main Page

Before diving into the project pages of the portfolio, let's first discuss the structure of the main page. It is crucial to create clear and intuitive navigation. The page that groups all your projects should be user-friendly, allowing users to easily filter projects by category.

Create Logical and Simple Navigation

Ensure the navigation structure is logical and simple so that visitors can quickly access the information they are interested in.

Filters

Create a filter to sort your projects by category, year, and/or sector for simplified exploration.

website: Wilemotte

💡 You can also create a "Highlight" category to feature your outstanding projects.

website: Wilmotte

Each project on this page should be represented by an image that showcases the accomplishment. Ensure all photos have visual consistency to provide an overall harmony.

In addition to the photo, it is important to name the project so it is easily identifiable by the user. Adding a tag, such as House, Extension, or School, also helps visitors quickly identify the type of project.

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How to Present Your Projects?

Each project is unique, and while it's easy to settle for photos, we believe it's essential to create a project page mixing text and visuals to fully capture the stakes of each achievement.

Each project has a story, a context, and constraints that must be conveyed so that one can understand your approach, your vision, and the choices you have made.

For this, we encourage you to write a text introducing the project, outlining the context and objectives.

To illustrate your points, add photos of the existing situation in the case of a renovation, photos of the completed project, as well as initial sketches and cross-section plans of the project.

You can also create a section detailing the key information of the project, including:

  • Client: Public/Private
  • Location
  • Phase
  • Delivery:
  • Area
  • Approximate Budget
  • Partners
  • Tag: (House, school, etc.)

Finally, as a bonus, add the client's testimonial recounting their experience with you.

The SEO Impact of Your Portfolio

Natural SEO enhances your visibility on search engines and attracts potential clients.

If your portfolio contains all the elements we have discussed, its visibility will increase. However, in addition to the content of each page, it is important to ensure that:

  • Each page of your portfolio includes a concise meta-description and a title.
  • Meta-descriptions should be short, catchy, and contain relevant keywords.
  • Each page has a structured URL, that is short and explicit, containing the keywords related to the project.
  • For example:
  • www.youragency.com/portfolio/private/house-extension-project-paris
  • Images are optimized for the web.
  • Reduce the size of image files without sacrificing visual quality. Also, add relevant alt attributes containing keywords.
  • Project pages have detailed content.
  • Write informative and complete texts about each project, integrating the challenges, solutions, and innovations introduced.
  • The website is fast and mobile-friendly.
  • Ensure that the portfolio loads quickly and displays correctly on smartphones and tablets.
  • Internal links are present.
  • Link project pages to each other to enhance engagement.

If you want to learn more about SEO, we have a dedicated article that details how to execute an effective SEO strategy to improve your ranking as an architect.

cf. article SEO for architects

The online portfolio has become much more than just a showcase of your achievements. It is an essential tool for presenting your approach, your vision, and your expertise to potential clients, partners, and collaborators. Clear and intuitive navigation, consistent visuals, compelling project narratives, and an SEO-optimized structure are the pillars of an effective online portfolio.

Ensure your portfolio is a true representation of your identity and your agency, while being easily accessible and engaging. A well-structured portfolio, blending text and visuals, not only allows you to showcase your achievements but also to tell the unique stories behind each project.

Do not forget that natural SEO plays a crucial role in the visibility of your portfolio. Optimize each page with keywords, catchy titles, and meta-descriptions, and ensure that your site is fast, responsive, and well-structured.

By investing in the creation of your portfolio, you position your agency to attract new clients, expand your professional network, and strengthen your reputation.

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