How to Create a Developer Portfolio as a Beginner (And Host It for Free on GitHub Pages)

When you're just starting out in web development, the idea of building a personal portfolio might feel intimidating. You may wonder, “Do I have enough projects?” or “What if mine doesn’t look as good as others I’ve seen online?”

Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be an expert or have years of experience to build a professional, impressive portfolio. All you need is a clear idea of what you want to share, some basic HTML/CSS skills, and the willingness to show what you’re learning. And yes, you can get it online for free using GitHub Pages.

Let’s break it down. (Beginner Developer Portfolio).

Why Every Beginner Developer Needs a Portfolio

A portfolio is your digital home. It’s where you introduce yourself, show your work, and invite people to get in touch. Whether you're applying for internships, freelance gigs, or just want to document your learning, a portfolio gives people a chance to see what you can do, beyond your resume.

Even if you're still learning, having a portfolio shows initiative. It gives you a space to showcase growth, not just results.

What to Include in a Beginner Developer Portfolio

1. Your Name and Title

Don’t overthink this. Keep it simple and clear.

Example: Hi, I’m David. I’m a Front-End Developer learning to build beautiful, responsive web interfaces.

It’s okay if you’re still learning. Just be honest, confident, and clear about where you are in your journey.

2. About Me Section

This should be a short paragraph introducing who you are, what you're passionate about, and what you're currently working on.

Avoid vague buzzwords like “hardworking” or “goal-oriented.” Instead, write something real and specific, like:

“I’m currently studying Applied Technology at BYU Idaho and building projects using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I enjoy solving problems with code and designing clean, user-friendly interfaces.”

3. Projects Showcase

Pick 2–4 projects that you're proud of. They don’t have to be complex. Even a basic to-do app or weather app can work, as long as it shows clean structure, functionality, and that you built it.

For each project, include:

• A title and short description

  
  

• The tools/technologies used

  
  

• A link to the live demo (hosted on Netlify, Vercel, or GitHub Pages)

  
  

• A link to the GitHub repository

  
  

If you’ve only built one or two projects, that’s fine. Show what you have, and improve as you go.

4. Tech Stack / Skills

Create a simple section listing the languages, frameworks, and tools you're familiar with. You can organize them into categories like:

• Languages: HTML, CSS, JavaScript

  
  

• Frameworks: Tailwind, React (if applicable)

  
  

• Tools: Git, VS Code, Figma

  
  

Keep it honest. Don’t list something you haven’t actually used.

5. Contact Section

Let visitors know how they can reach you. This can be a simple form or even just a section with your email and social links.

Make sure to include:

• Email address

  
  

• GitHub profile

  
  

• LinkedIn (if you have one)

  
  

• Twitter (optional but helpful for networking)

  
  

What to Avoid in Your Portfolio

1. Too Much Flash, Not Enough Substance

It’s tempting to go overboard with animations or fancy effects. But if your site is slow or hard to navigate, it hurts more than it helps. Focus on clarity first. Design comes next.

2. Listing Every Single Skill You’ve Heard Of

You don’t need to impress with quantity. If you’ve barely touched Python or haven’t built anything with React, leave it out for now. Your portfolio should reflect what you can currently do, not what you plan to learn later.

3. Using a Generic Template Without Customizing It

Templates are great, but make sure to personalize it. Add your own colors, typography, and layout tweaks. The goal is to show your taste and style, not just that you can copy and paste.

4. Broken Links or Unfinished Projects

Test your site. Make sure every button works, every link opens the right page, and every project demo is live. A broken link can be an instant turn-off to someone reviewing your work.

Hosting It for Free with GitHub Pages

You don’t need to buy hosting or a domain to get your portfolio online. GitHub Pages makes it easy, and free.

Here’s how:

1. Create a new repository on GitHub. Name it something like yourname.github.io.

   
   

2. Add your portfolio files (HTML, CSS, images, etc.) to that repo.

   
   

3. Push the code using Git:

   git init git add . git commit -m "Initial commit" git remote add origin https://github.com/yourusername/yourname.github.io git push -u origin main

   
   

4. Go to the repo settings > Pages, and GitHub will give you a live link to your site:

   https://yourname.github.io/

   
   

Boom!, your portfolio is live.

Final Thoughts

Your first portfolio doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to exist.

Focus on being clear, honest, and consistent. As you grow, your portfolio will grow with you.

Update it when you build something new. Tweak the design as you improve your front-end skills.

Add blog posts or case studies if you want to dive deeper.

The goal isn’t to look like a senior developer, it’s to show that you’re learning, building, and moving forward.

That’s what really stands out.

If you found this helpful and you're working on your own portfolio, feel free to share your link or ask questions in the comments. I’d love to check it out.

Author: David C. Igberi