A freelance writing website is what brings clients your way.
It’ll introduce them to you and your services, prove why they should hire you, and give them an easy way to reach out.
(It’s why we named it as one of the best ways to find freelance writing jobs.)
So, how do you create a freelance writer website that actually brings clients your way?
In this guide, we’ll share the answer.
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Why do I need a freelance writing website?
Chances are, you’re spending some time scouring the internet for writing gigs. Content mills like Upwork, freelance job boards, and social media platforms like LinkedIn don’t require you to have a website in order to apply for jobs listed there.
However, you can point those conversations towards your freelance writer website. It’ll answer any questions they might have, and direct them towards your portfolio. Those two things help speed up the back-and-forth onslaught of emails you’ll probably get when discussing a freelancing project with a new client.
With your own site, you’ll bring clients your direction–without constantly searching for them.
You can optimize your website using SEO, and rank for terms your target clients are searching for, like “freelance writer for SaaS”:
The best part? Having your own freelance writing site instantly makes you more professional. New clients know it’s not your first rodeo–and that they can trust you with their budget.
It’s not like they’re giving their money away to an anonymous freelancer they found on Fiverr who may (or may not) do the work.
How to create a freelance writing website
Convinced to create your own website for new clients to find you through?
It takes a bit of upfront work, but it’s more than worth it.
Whether you’re a complete newbie or already have a handful of clients, follow this step-by-step guide to create your own freelance writing website.
- Choose a platform
- Add a custom domain
- Pick a theme
- Write a bold headline
- Create a homepage
- Write your about page
- Draft a services page
- Showcase your writing portfolio
- Build a contact form (or page)
- Optimize for search engines
1. Choose a platform
Before you can jump into creating your ideal freelance writing website, you need a platform to start building on.
The great news is you won’t need to brush up on your coding skills, because there are lots of good options for simple, easy to manage websites.
Some of the most popular platforms for freelance writing websites include WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix. Let’s take a look at them in a little more detail.
WordPress
WordPress remains a favorite in the website platform space, powering 35% of the internet. It’s popular largely for its flexibility and customization options, combined with a relatively user-friendly interface.
With WordPress, you have access to a huge range of themes and options to customize your website. This is great if you’re technically minded, but can seem daunting at first — and the setup can feel more involved than all-in-one platforms as you’ll need to find a web hosting provider like WPEngine.
You’ll soon find yourself at ease though, and the extra flexibility means you can transform your website into something really personal and unique.
Squarespace
Millions of business owners have built their websites on Squarespace, a modern platform that gives you the tools to effortlessly create a modern, stylish freelance website, portfolio, or online store.
If you’re not as fond of tech, Squarespace could be a great option for you. It features a drag and drop style interface with a minimal approach to design, plus web hosting is included.
While you can add some more complex code to customize things, on the surface it’s as simple as picking a template and adding your own content.
Wix
Home to millions of users across the world, Wix touts itself as a leader in website creation. It’s a platform designed for business owners to create websites, online stores, and other assets like logos.
Wix is a good option if you want something easy and don’t want to worry about too many moving parts. With a Wix website you don’t need to worry about web hosting or finding a custom theme — it’s all sorted within the platform.
Which platform should you choose?
It’s often completely down to personal preference and what you want to achieve with your freelance writing website.
Want to build a blog full of content and get found through search? WordPress could be perfect, as it has a robust blogging system and can easily be supported with search engine optimization (SEO).
Prefer to create more of a portfolio site to showcase your project work? Authory gives you some useful tools to easily make a beautiful website to do just that.
Want something simple while you focus on finding clients? Wix could be a great option for you here, so you can quickly build a site and revisit it later when you’re ready.
2. Add a custom domain
You want to become someone recognizable, so you can be found by potential clients, right? For that a free, platform-based domain won’t do it. It’s time to invest in a custom domain.
Custom domains are inexpensive these days, as you can often find deals that bring the cost of your very own .co.uk or .com domain down to less than £10 per year. It’s well worth the investment.
To buy your own custom domain, head to a domain name provider like WPEngine. You’ll be able to use the domain name search to see if the domain you want is available, then purchase it right away.
You’ll then need to get your new custom domain connected up to your website platform.
Here’s how to do that for the platforms we just covered above:
WordPress is a little different as the process will depend on which web hosting provider you choose. Ask your hosting provider for their step by step guide to help you get connected.
This should be a simple process, but if you need any help reach out to your website provider or domain name provider.
What if the domain I want isn’t available?
With so many domains already registered, sometimes this happens — especially if you have a common name or want a short, punchy domain for your freelance writing business.
Luckily there are other options.
If the domain you want isn’t available, try an alternative. Instead of spelling your whole name, try a combination of your initials and names until you find something that works.
You could also add ‘writer’ to the end of your name, or go for something completely different and build a brand around your business instead.
Read more: The 10+ Best Freelance Writing Courses
3. Pick a theme
Once you’ve got your custom domain connected to your website provider things start to feel more real. Next up, customize the look and feel of your website with a theme.
This is a great way to make your freelance writing website really stand out. It’s an opportunity to transform a bland starting block into an immersive experience for your visitors; one that really reflects who you are as a writer and freelancer.
Opt for a sleek, minimal design, or get creative by adding your signature colors and patterns. Themes make it possible for you to do this easily — without having to touch the core framework of your website.
All three platforms we’ve mentioned so far give you lots of choice when it comes to customization and themes.
With WordPress, there’s a huge community of theme providers and WordPress theme marketplaces where you can buy themes for every type of website.
Squarespace has a built in templates gallery, where you can easily change the look and feel of your website without having to look elsewhere. Wix also has built-in design options where you can change your website design in a visual editor.
We’re also huge fans of Studiopress themes. Even though they’re paid, they’re not super expensive. They’re incredibly customizable (hence why Elise uses the Authority Pro on her freelance writer’s website.)
Haven’t found a theme or design you love? Another option is to look for a web designer to create something bespoke for you. Look for a specialist in the platform you use, check out their portfolio, and ask for recommendations in your network to find the perfect designer.
4. Write an attention-grabbing headline
Once you’ve found the perfect theme and customized your design, it’s time to start focusing on the real content of your freelance writing website. A great place to start is with what your visitors will see first — your headline.
An attention-grabbing headline can secure your reader’s attention as soon as they land on your page. It’s your opportunity to pique their interest and encourage them to read further into your story, approach, portfolio, and services.
Like your theme, the right headline is an ideal way to set yourself apart from other freelancers in your niche. We all know how powerful words are, and these ones have the power to convince your reader to stay.
But how do you create an attention-grabbing headline?
What results do you deliver for clients? What’s their pain point? What makes you different? Use this to help you create a header and tagline that capture their attention.
Take Gill Andrews, for example. Her headline currently reads “Turn Your Underperforming Website into a Lead-Generating Machine”:
Business owners often struggle with conversion, and it’s something most marketers are measured on. Gill references that pain point and offers a real solution that keeps readers’ interest as they then scroll through testimonials, services, and offers.
If a headline doesn’t work your style, try a tagline instead. Kayla Hollatz takes this approach, with the focus being on the service she offers (website copywriting) followed by a tagline — “selling with soul”.
You get an instant insight into her approach and the kind of experience you might get from working with her:
Make sure you combine your winning headline or tagline with a high-quality image. Let people see who you are as soon as they land on their page and give them a way to visually connect with who you are.
You don’t need to hire a pro photographer for this. Look for a photo that captures your personality, warmth, and smile.
5. Create a homepage
The first place your potential clients land is often your homepage, so it’s a great place to start when building out your freelance writing website.
You want your homepage to capture attention, sell who you are, and motivate your potential clients to get in touch with you, book a service, or buy a product.
Your homepage should give your visitor plenty of reasons to stay, find out more, and build a connection with you.
Every freelance writer builds their homepage slightly differently.
Some create a long landing page style homepage, filled with feedback, results, services, and a contact form at the end to close it out.
Other writers opt for a shorter homepage with a hero image of them, some information on their services and buttons to help their visitor explore other areas of their website.
For a great website with a short homepage, check out Nathan Ojaokomo‘s freelance writing website.
He focuses attention on the results he can achieve for clients and who he’s worked with before. This shows you don’t always need a long landing page to attract and convert clients:
There’s no right or wrong answer here when it comes to how your homepage should look and feel. Experiment and see what works best for you and what converts best with your audience.
To help you get started, here are some different elements you could include on your homepage:
- Services
- Testimonials
- Social proof
- Results you’ve achieved for clients
- About section
- Portfolio
- Your story
- Recent blog posts
- Contact form
- Email newsletter signup
- Lead magnet for a free download
You might not have content for some of these sections straight away. Your homepage can develop over time as you build your portfolio, collect feedback, write blog posts, and create lead magnets.
6. Write an about page
It’s rare that a client will hire you without knowing more about you.
Your results speak for themselves, but that writer-client relationship is so important to get right. Help your clients connect with you with an amazing about page.
Your about page should give your potential clients an insight into who you are — both as a person and as a writer. Make sure it covers both angles. That way, they can relate to you over your passion for a sports team or your favorite dessert, as well as appreciating your work.
We work in a creative industry, so don’t be afraid to have fun with your about page. Unless your approach is technical and formal, anything goes (within reason).
Writing about yourself isn’t always easy. If you’re not sure where to start, write out your story. Talk about how you found your passion for writing, and what you’ve achieved so far.
Let your clients know about your future goals, and the results you’ve won for clients along the way, like this “about” page from Lizzie Davey:
To help you get started on your about page, here are some different elements you could include:
- Biography
- Your story
- Career history
- Qualifications, study, or sabbaticals
- Writing credits
- Awards
- Accomplishments and results you’re proud of
- Interests and passions
- Quirky facts about you
- Your pets or family
- Your values and approach to work and life
- Where else they can find you — like your social media or personal blog
Like with your homepage, a great photo of you would fit perfectly here. Feel free to include photos of your passions, travels, pets, or casual snaps here too. Anything that helps your reader connect with you and tell your story.
Your about page is also a great place to signpost your visitors to other content about you. Link to a podcast interview like Elise Dopson, or share a link to media coverage of an award win you helped secure.
7. Draft a services page
Your homepage captures attention and your about page helps build that connection, but it’s your services page that’ll help you secure the work. Draft a services page that outlines what you offer, what it involves, and how it can deliver results for your clients.
A great services page allows clients to quickly see whether you’re a good match for their requirements or not.
They can instantly see whether you offer the type of content or copy they need, or whether you specialize in a different area or freelance writing niche. If you list prices, they can also get a feel for whether they can afford you or not.
Think of your services page as an invitation to potential clients. It’s where you can showcase what you offer — like a restaurant menu.
You could even take this literally in a playful way, like Kira Hug’s menu-inspired services page:
You might decide to keep it short and sweet with a brief description of each service you offer. This works great if you offer different services, packages, or options — like blog post writing packages and website copywriting services.
If you offer one signature service — like conversion copywriting for landing pages — you could instead dedicate your services page to a more detailed run-through of your offer. If all your services are different, consider creating a dedicated page for each one as a mini landing page.
If you’re just starting out or building your freelance writing website from scratch, here are some ideas on what you could feature:
- Your niches (e.g. SaaS, fintech, food, beauty)
- The types of writing you offer (e.g. blog posts, white papers, case studies, web content)
- Packages (e.g. monthly blog posts, websites up to X number of pages)
- Pricing (e.g. defined packages, or a ‘starting at’ price)
- Results (e.g. how a blog post you wrote has driven X number of conversions)
- How to enquire (e.g. a contact form, appointment booking system, or email address)
Like all other areas of your website, your services page will evolve. You might decide you love one type of content and specialize in this, or find a new niche you enjoy writing for. Don’t forget to update your services page with fresh examples of the results you’ve got for clients, too.
8. Showcase your freelance writing portfolio
Potential clients want to get a feel for your writing style and see what you’re capable of. Win them over with a writing portfolio that showcases your talent.
Your portfolio is the perfect way to show what you’re capable of, what results you can achieve, and your history so far. It’s an ever-growing body of work that highlights your freelance writing skills, talents, and adaptability.
Build your portfolio using a selection of your best pieces. Don’t feature everything — potential clients won’t have time to sift through all your pieces to find your very best work. Use a tool like Authory to decide which content you want to share, and give clients filter/sorting features that help them uncover writing samples similar to the content they’re hiring you for.
Feature examples of your content and copy that highlight your strengths as a writer. Here are some features to help you identify them:
- Written for a high profile client
- Tackled a complex subject in an effortless way
- Highlight your experience or insights in your niche
- Achieved great results for a client that you can back up
- Written for a niche or specialism that you want to move into
Each piece of content might only tick one or two of those boxes, but it’ll help you prioritize your pieces to build a portfolio of amazing content to showcase to clients.
Make sure your portfolio covers your breadth of talent and expertise. If you offer multiple services, have at least one example of each in your portfolio — for example white papers, case studies, and website copywriting projects.
Here’s a superb example from Peak Freelance member, Kat Ambrose:
The same goes for your niche — highlight content that’s written for your niches, like finance or technology. If you’re a specialist in just one niche, feature content only for that niche.
When it comes to formatting your portfolio, different writers take this in different directions.
If most of your content lives online, link to it. This works great for bylined blog posts and long-form content. For website copy projects though, take a few screenshots instead — you never know when someone might tweak your copy or change it entirely.
For content that’s often offline or gated — like white papers or case studies — ask your client if you can include a download of the item. If not, feature a screenshot showing some of your work alongside a client testimonial.
Some writers opt for a visual, grid-style display of their content. If you mostly work on advertising projects, creative writing, or traditional copywriting this can work really well. For less visual or creative projects, a link and screenshot combination in a list is a great idea.
If you’ve started out with ghostwriting or you’re a new freelance writer, you might be wondering what to include in your portfolio.
If it’s feeling light, build up your portfolio of writing samples by securing bylined guest posts for industry websites, writing ‘on spec’ pieces to demonstrate your skills, or linking to your own blog posts.
Don’t forget to update your portfolio regularly so it always features the work you’re most proud of. Make it a feature on your website too, by linking to your portfolio from other pages — like your about page, homepage, and services page.
9. Build a contact form (or page)
By now your potential clients are probably eager to get in touch with you, so give them an easy way to do just that. Create a simple contact form or contact page so the enquiries can roll in.
Your contact form or page doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler the better. That way, you can focus your potential client’s attention on what matters most — like their needs or budget.
Once you’ve created a contact form, add it to any relevant pages on your website. While you’re at it, it makes sense to create a simple, dedicated contact page too.
On your form, make sure you include key elements like:
- Name
- Company
- Email address
- Text box for potential clients to describe what they’re enquiring about
If you have a minimum project value, mention it here so you can filter out clients that aren’t a good match. Or, create a form with a drop-down where people can select their budget range when enquiring.
You could even include a “where did you find me from” field. It’ll show how many referrals you get, and where your marketing is working hardest. This means you can refine your marketing and spend your time and money even more wisely.
To help keep potential clients in the loop, set up your contact form to send an automatic thank you message out. You could use this as an opportunity to direct people to your content, or give them a rough waiting time so they know when they’ll hear back from you about your writing services.
🏆 Get a helping hand when dealing with new leads with one of these freelance CRMs.
10. Optimize your freelance writer website for search engines
Ideally one day your reputation will precede you and people will know exactly who you are. Until then, search engines can do an amazing job at directing the right type of clients straight to you.
Search engine optimization (SEO) might seem complicated, but at its most simple it’s all about making it easy for people to find you.
By optimizing your website for relevant search terms like “freelance writer” or “freelance fintech writer”, you’re reaching people who are looking for exactly the thing you offer. No more guesswork or posting in Facebook groups hoping to attract someone that needs a writer.
To help you get started, check out Moz’s beginner’s guide to SEO. It’ll walk you through all the basics, why it’s important, and how to start helping your website rank higher in search engine results.
When it comes to optimizing your website content, think about the keywords that define what you do. Then use a free keyword research tool to find phrases that your ideal clients are actually using. Once you’ve found them, sprinkle them into your copy in a natural way.
If you can get SEO right, you can save time and money on advertising in the future. You won’t need to spend money on Google Ads as you’ll be sitting pretty at the top of the results naturally.
Of course, competition is fierce. There are so many amazing writers and we can’t all rank at the top for the most competitive terms. Look for less competitive terms that will still help you get found instead. Try “freelance writer in (location)” or “freelance case study writer”, if that’s what you do.
If you really want to work hard on your SEO, make sure you dip your toe into the world of blogging.
Do I need a blog on my website?
You don’t need a blog, but it’s usually a great addition to your freelance writing website. Here’s why.
A blog gives you another opportunity to impress potential clients with your writing skills. They can browse your portfolio and see how you work with a brief, but what about when you’re left to your own devices?
Blogging gives you a place to showcase your talent outside the briefs and instructions from clients.
Here are other ways that blogging can help your freelance writing career:
- Gives you portfolio pieces to show potential clients
- Helps you refine your writing skills and technique
- Creates content that’ll help you get found in search results
- Helps position you as an expert in what you write about
- Gives you a creative outlet
Even if your blog isn’t about freelance writing, don’t underestimate the value in that last point — the creative outlet. We all need a place to enjoy writing, and that might just be sharing your favourite tips about freelancing or a more personal blog about your most-loved countryside walks near your hometown.
Often, bloggers are told to blog frequently. That’s great if you want to create lots of content that’ll eventually surface in search results, but don’t feel too under pressure to commit to a tight blog schedule.
Blog when you can to start with, and always prioritise paid work and finding clients if you need to.
Should I show my freelance rates on my website?
In our freelance writing rate survey, we discovered that almost three quarters of writers don’t show their rates publicly on their website.
One said:
“Some clients have a smaller budget. I want to be flexible as much as I can, yet still stay within amounts I’m comfortable with. I know what the lowest rate I am willing to go is, so I want to hear what their budget is before I give a fixed rate. It has allowed me to work with clients and build my portfolio without worry of turning down clients.”
3 of the best freelance writing website examples
Ready to find inspiration for your own freelance writing website? We’ve rounded up some of our favourite websites from professional writers and freelancers we know and love.
Here’s a collection of some of the best writer websites around.
1. Abass Sahrawi
Freelance writer Abass Sahrawi has opted for a sleek, landing page inspired design.
This freelance writing website features a compelling headline, where Abass talks about how he delivers content that “ranks and banks”. That’ll tick all the right boxes for would-be clients that value conversion and sales from great copy and content.
Abass highlights publications and brands he’s written for, a compelling testimonial, and a guide on how the whole process works. This is great for giving potential clients an insight into what to expect when you work together.
This freelance writing website is rounded out with a simple, user friendly contact form that means potential clients can get straight in touch to arrange a follow up conversation.
2. Marijana Kay
Freelance SaaS and marketing writer Marijana Kay starts her website off by immediately offering visitors a free checklist to help them out. That’s a great way to win someone over and deliver value before you even talk money.
Marijana goes on to cover the brands she’s written for, impressive results she’s achieved for them, and a sprinkling of positive testimonials from clients. Her homepage is a positive introduction to the work she does as a freelance SaaS writer.
As well as offering freelance writing services, Marijana uses her blog to help teach marketers how to get the most from their content marketing. This is a great way to become known as an expert, offer value, and help with your SEO.
3. André Spiteri
Expert fintech copywriter André Spiteri shows the value in optimizing your website for SEO, landing top of the search results for competitive phrase “fintech copywriter”.
André’s about page goes on to demonstrate other ways he’s worked SEO to clients’ benefits, followed by his experience in fintech and an introduction to the person behind the work. André’s about page is a winning example of how to sell who you are and what you do through your about page.
Heading back to his homepage, André captures visitors’ attention with a question — “Need an expert fintech copywriter?”. It immediately has the visitor saying yes. What a great way to start a potential writer-client relationship than with a “yes”.
Create a freelance writing website your future clients love
Becoming a fully fledged, full time freelance writer takes a lot of steps. Building a great website is just one of them.
If you’re ready to jump in and make this a year of success, do it with the support of other writers in the Freelance Writing Essentials cohort. It’s the ultimate place for freelance writers that want to start and grow their careers.
