How to Actually Create Projects: A Web Developer’s Blueprint for Building a Portfolio That Stands Out

Building projects isn’t just about writing code—it’s about showcasing your ability to deliver a product from concept to deployment. After reviewing countless developer portfolios, I’ve noticed a common problem: many projects fall flat. They might technically work, but they lack the polish and presentation needed to stand out. So, if you’re looking to land a developer job, here’s my advice on creating projects that actually get noticed.

Note

Note: I work at a relatively small company. What works at a larger company may differ.

The Power of a Personal Website

Your personal website is your digital business card. It should introduce who you are, showcase your best work, and make it easy for people to connect with you. Too many developers skip this step, but having a dedicated space to present your projects can set you apart.

Start by choosing a domain name that’s short, easy to read, and memorable. I recommend checking out Vercel Domains or any domain registrar. Your name works great if it's available—mine is perry.qa—but anything that fits your personal brand works.

Once you’ve secured your domain, build a clean, well-designed site that includes:

• A short bio that highlights your passion and skills.
• A showcase of your best projects, each with a description and links to both the live app and the GitHub repo.
• An easy-to-find contact section with your email and social media links.

Insert image of a clean and modern portfolio website here.

Don’t Ignore Design—It Matters

I get it—you're a developer, not a designer. But design still matters. A well-styled app shows that you understand user experience and modern web aesthetics. You don’t need to create a design masterpiece—just aim for something clean, usable, and visually appealing.

Keep your layout simple, with plenty of whitespace and consistent fonts and colors. Sites like Dribbble and Behance are great for inspiration. If you see a design you like, try reproducing it to build your design skills.

Insert screenshot showing a well-designed app with clean UI elements.

Launch Your Projects—GitHub Isn’t Enough

One of the biggest mistakes I see is developers only sharing their GitHub repos. While that shows you can write code, it doesn’t show you can deliver a finished product. Employers want to see that you can deploy and maintain a live app.

Use platforms like Vercel, Netlify, or Heroku to deploy your projects. Even a basic app is more impressive when it’s live and functional.

Where possible, host your projects on custom domains. For smaller projects, use subdomains on your personal site—like morsecode.yourname.dev. If a custom domain isn’t feasible, at least customize the default domain provided by platforms like Vercel or Heroku. A clean, short URL looks far more professional.

Insert screenshot showing a live project with a clean, customized domain.

In Closing

Building projects that stand out isn’t about complexity—it’s about polish. A simple app with a clean design, smooth UX, and a live demo on a professional domain will outshine a complex app buried in a GitHub repo. Focus on delivering complete, usable products, and your portfolio will speak for itself.

Now get out there, start building, and put your work into the world. And if you have questions, hit me up on 𝕏 at @PerryRatcliff.