by Evan Whittaker

Personal branding is an important part of your success in the public relations industry. As with any profession, you are competing with a multitude of other individuals who posses many of the same skills that you do. So what sets you apart? Often it’s your personality, experience and professionalism. Unfortunately, these facets can be difficult to convey without meeting your intended audiences in person. But there is good news. A personal website is a fantastic way to showcase personality before meeting a potential client, interviewer or hiring professional.

Where to start

While creating a website can certainly seem like a daunting task, there are numerous tools at your disposal that can simplify the process. Gone are the days of slaving over a Notepad document to modify and insert line after line of HTML code. Instead, various platforms exist to take care of the heavy lifting and have your site up and running in a matter of hours.

WordPress

The tried and true website creation software, WordPress boasts more than 11 years of experience on the web. With thousands of plugins and templates available for free, WordPress offers users tons of options for customizing the appearance and functionality of their sites. In addition, WordPress is one of the best blogging platforms on the web, allowing for seamless integration of your blog into your website. For more information, visit WordPress.

 Squarespace

If you’re looking for a great combination of function and ease-of-use, Squarespace is another great place to start. Its website editor is deceptively simple for how powerful it is. Nearly everything you do on Squarespace is visual instead of text or code, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a point-and-click interface for creating content. While its features are more limited than those available through WordPress, the gorgeous layouts and animations and simple designs make up for its shortcomings. Anyone interested in Squarespace should check out the website.

Wix

If you’re wary about using either of the above platforms but still want to create your own website, Wix might be the choice for you. Wix utilizes a drag-and-drop interface for website creation, which makes it incredibly easy for users to create a custom website. However, as this article from Biju Creative points out, Wix’s simplicity is a double-edged sword of sorts, as much of the customization options and features you might find with other platforms aren’t available. Still, for those looking for a quick and painless solution for a basic website, Wix shouldn’t be overlooked. Visit Wix to learn more.

What to include in your site

Your website is a reflection of you. What you include in your site should give visitors a professional impression of who you are and what you do. While there are numerous things that you can include in your site, here are a few solid options for content you should consider making available to visitors:

• A profile or ‘about me’ section with details about your experience and interests
• A portfolio or showcase of your previous works
• Your personal blog, which can serve as a sample of your writing style and interests
• Your resume, which can be made available for download for prospective employers
• Your contact information

Do you have a question or comment about building a site for your personal brand? Let us know how we can help! Don’t forget to follow Innovative PR on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.