If you are starting out in the business of web design and you have yet to begin building up a client base, it is vital that you work very hard in order to attract customers. Short of offering Free Laptop Deals to the people that hire you, nothing will get you work like a fantastic portfolio; use the following guidelines to put together an impressive one of your own.
To begin with, you will want to build a website advertising your services and make it as good as it possibly can be. The site should be attractive, professional-looking and user friendly, and should showcase your own signature style.
It's also often a good idea volunteer your services as a web designer for non-profit organisations. Get in touch with charities, churches and animal rescue foundations, and ask if you might put together pages for them free of charge; this will get you exposure and help the community at the same time.
In order to develop a good reputation and a reliable series of references for future employers, you need to pay a lot of attention, not simply to quality, but to customer service as well. If you have promised to design a site for a charity, it is crucial that you follow through on your word and get the job done in good time.
Sloppy, half-hearted and belated work, even if it is done on a pro bono basis, can only hurt your prospects and should be avoided at all costs. In short, building a good portfolio in order to attract and impress new clients is partly a matter of showcasing your skills, and partly to do with building a good reputation.