Above the fold
The part of a webpage that is visible without scrolling. For portfolios, this is where your strongest work and key message should appear.
Key terms and concepts explained simply. Everything you need to understand portfolio websites, design, and online presence.
The part of a webpage that is visible without scrolling. For portfolios, this is where your strongest work and key message should appear.
A text description added to images for accessibility and SEO. Screen readers use alt text to describe images to visually impaired users.
Tools that track and report website traffic and user behavior. Helps you understand which portfolio pages get the most views.
The visual identity and voice that make you recognizable — your logo, colors, fonts, tone, and how you present yourself. A consistent brand across your portfolio builds trust and makes you memorable.
The percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page. A high bounce rate may indicate that your landing page needs improvement.
A navigation aid that shows the user's location within the site hierarchy, typically displayed as a trail of links like Home / Gallery / Landscapes.
A detailed presentation of a project from brief to final result. Typically includes the problem, your process, and the outcome. Common in design, architecture, and illustration portfolios.
A set of data that defines how colors are displayed. sRGB is the standard for web images. Using the correct color profile ensures your work looks as intended on screens.
Content Management System. Software that lets you create, edit, and publish website content without writing code. Portfoliobox is a CMS built for creatives.
A unique web address (like yourname.com) that you purchase and connect to your portfolio, replacing the default subdomain.
A button or link that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as "Contact Me", "View Portfolio", or "Hire Me".
Domain Name System. The system that translates human-readable domain names (yourname.com) into IP addresses that computers use to find websites.
A visual editing method where you click, hold, and move elements to arrange your page layout. No coding required.
Selling products or services online through your website. Portfoliobox includes a built-in store with 0% commission, so you can sell prints, digital files, and bookings directly from your portfolio.
To insert external content (like a video, map, or social media post) directly into your webpage using a code snippet.
The small icon that appears in the browser tab next to your page title. Usually your logo or a simplified version of it.
The bottom section of a webpage, typically containing contact info, copyright, social links, and secondary navigation.
A page or section that displays a collection of images or projects in a grid or masonry layout. The core of most portfolio websites.
A structured arrangement of elements in rows and columns. Used to display portfolio items in a clean, organized way.
The top section of a webpage, usually containing the site logo, navigation menu, and sometimes a hero image or tagline.
The large, prominent area at the top of a page, often featuring a headline, description, and call-to-action. First thing visitors see.
The service that stores your website files and makes them accessible on the internet. Portfoliobox includes hosting with all plans.
A standalone page designed for a specific campaign or goal, focused on converting visitors into leads or customers.
An overlay that displays an enlarged version of an image on top of the page. Commonly used in portfolio galleries for viewing work in detail.
A grid layout where items have varying heights, stacking like bricks in a wall. Popular for displaying images of different aspect ratios.
HTML snippets that provide search engines and social platforms with information about your page, like title, description, and preview image.
A curated collection of your best work, presented to show your skills, style, and range. A strong portfolio focuses on quality over quantity and is tailored to the audience you want to reach.
The amount of detail in an image, measured in pixels. Higher resolution means sharper images. For web portfolios, images wider than 1920px are typically sufficient for full-screen display.
A design approach that makes your website adapt to different screen sizes — desktop, tablet, and mobile — automatically.
A file that lists all pages on your website, helping search engines find and index your content. Portfoliobox generates one automatically at /sitemap.xml.
The part of a URL that identifies a specific page in readable form. For example, in yoursite.com/portraits, "portraits" is the slug. Clean slugs improve SEO and look better when shared.
A prefix added to a main domain, creating a separate web address. On the Portfoliobox free plan, your site lives at yourname.portfoliobox.net. Paid plans let you use your own custom domain.
Search Engine Optimization. The practice of improving your website so it ranks higher in search results on Google and other search engines.
A security protocol that encrypts data between your website and visitors. Shown as the padlock icon and "https://" in the browser.
A pre-designed website layout that you can customize with your own content, images, and branding. A starting point for your portfolio.
The art of choosing and arranging fonts. Good typography makes your portfolio readable and reinforces your brand. One or two well-chosen fonts is usually enough.
A small preview image that represents a larger piece of content. Used in galleries and project listings to give visitors a quick visual overview.
A semi-transparent text or logo overlay on images to protect against unauthorized use. Common for photographers showing work online.
The empty space between design elements. Proper use of white space improves readability and lets your work breathe on the page.