A staggering 57 percent of US workers would consider freelancing.

That’s a lot of competition, so it’s important to stand above the rest. Having a professional website will help, but it can be a little daunting to know how to attract clients.

Don’t panic, though. Read on for our nine top website ideas!

1. A Professional Website

Self-hosting your website means that you own it outright. That includes everything on it, including the domain name.

This looks more professional than using a sub-domain on a free service. Potential customers might think that you don’t take your business seriously, or that you’re not making enough money or investing enough to have your own domain name. They could also get the impression that it’s more of a hobby.

Make sure you set the right tone with your online presence. Domain names cost under $15 a year – and hosting is less than that each month. It’s a cheap investment to make a professional statement.

2. Use an Website Platform

Look for a blogging and website platform, such as Word Press, that you can install on your site. This will allow you to manage its pages, blog posts, design, and everything else.

Most platforms offer free and premium themes to choose from, which allow you to have a pre-made design for your site.

There are plugins for everything, which are easy to activate and set up. You can use them for things like social sharing, image sliders, and portfolio galleries. You can create a professional look without needing any coding knowledge.

A website platform will save you an incredible amount of time and effort when setting up your site.

3. Establish Your Offering

You want to let potential clients know what you can offer them. At the same time, you want to show them what sets you apart from your competitors.

Don’t sell yourself short; make sure to let potential clients know any areas you specialize in. For example, a translator who specializes in an area can demand higher rates than a translator who offers general services.

It’s important to note that website visitors don’t come to marvel at your skills. They are on your site because they have a problem and think you can help solve it. Make sure they leave knowing that you can do it.

4. Use a Clean Design

If your website is confusing and cluttered, it could send visitors away. Take a look at each page and make sure that each item is serving its purpose.

Check how many items you have on your sidebar. If you aren’t using a social media service to promote yourself, don’t link to it.

A big mistake when creating a visually appealing design is thinking that you need to fill space. Choose what you want to put where with care. Make sure all the information is relevant and working to sell your products/services.

5. Tell People about Yourself

The ‘About me’ page is important on your website. It’s telling your potential clients who they will be dealing with. You can add a personal touch by including a photo and writing a little about yourself.

A good topic is explaining what sparked your passion for the area in which you work. This will make you seem approachable and help the client see the person behind the service.

It’s important to clients that they get to know a little of who they’ll be striking a professional relationship with.

6. Set Up a Blog

Maintaining a blog takes up a reasonable amount of time, especially in the initial stages. The benefits are clear, though. Not only can you talk about your projects in detail, but the extra content can attract visitors via search engines.

Plus, it allows you to get creative. You can use visual aids like infographics and animated videos. You can even start your own podcast!

Try integrating your blog with social media channels like Twitter and Facebook. This can create fantastic networking opportunities with other bloggers too.

7. Include References

Most freelancers don’t publish the details of their clients on their websites as they assume the client won’t allow it. In general, though, companies don’t mind you naming them as a reference as long as your work is up to scratch.

It doesn’t hurt to ask them. You don’t have anything to lose, and even an anonymous reference is better than none at all.

This will give potential clients confidence in your services and products, and let them know what to expect from working with you. With so many options out there, people like a trusted pair of hands.

8. Sell Something

A few simple ‘buy now’ buttons can go a long way toward breaking the ice with customers.

Your packages not only show potential clients a few of the things you can do but make it easier for them to place an order. These have a number of useful advantages, such as:

The client knows what to expect. There are no negotiations as the package is clear in black and white.

Once you attract a client with a small project, you can go on to offer them more personalized services after building rapport.

You don’t need to chase payments as you are paid in advance.

9. Free Offers

Offering something to prospective clients is a great way to attract attention and links from other sites.

For example, if you’re a writer, you could offer a free guide on how to put together a good sales letter. This would position you as an expert in your field.

By lowering the barriers for clients to openly communicate with you, it’s much easier to grow your professional relationships. While some people might be out to take advantage of these free offers, it is rare. The benefits will soon stack up.

Leverage These Website Ideas for Freelancers

If you use some of these website ideas, you’ll have a professional looking website that really shows what you offer. You’ll be able to hook clients and establish yourself as an authority in your field.

If these website ideas have given you some inspiration, then check out our guide on how to build your website from scratch!