For freelancers

A personal brand for freelancers

Clients hire people they can find, understand and trust. For a freelancer, that’s a site on your own domain that shows your work and says what you do, and an email address at the same domain.

By , founder of Bounley · Updated

Short answer

Freelancers need a website on their own domain with their services, portfolio and a way to get in touch, plus a professional email address at that domain for proposals and invoices. Bounley, the platform built for personal brands, sets up the site in minutes (free at bounley.me/yourname while in beta) and, with Premium, your own domain and email together.

Why it matters for freelancers

  • Clients search before they reply. A clear site at yourname.com answers “who is this and can they do the job?” before they ask.
  • Your email is on every proposal and invoice. An address at your own domain looks like a business that will still be there next month.
  • Platforms take a cut and own the relationship. Your own site and email let repeat clients come straight to you.
A link in bio for photographers made with Bounley: a phone showing Maya Brooks Photo's page in black and white, with Book a shoot, Recent galleries, Prints, Instagram, Pinterest and Email. Beside it: “Link in bio for photographers”, the Bounley logo, bounley.me/lensmaya and bounley.com.
Link in bio for photographers. Made with Bounley.

What a freelancer’s site needs

  • One line: what you do and for whom (“I design brands for independent coffee shops”).
  • Three to six pieces of your best work, each with the problem and the result.
  • Your services, and a starting price or “projects from” if you’re comfortable sharing it.
  • Two or three short testimonials, used with the client’s permission.
  • A contact or booking form, and your professional email address.
  • Your LinkedIn and any platform where clients find you.

A professional email for proposals and invoices

Use firstname@yourname.com or hello@yourstudio.com. Send proposals, invoices and follow-ups from it, and add a short signature with your site. How to get a professional email address.

Your name or a studio name?

Your name is simplest and goes wherever your career goes. A studio name makes sense if you plan to hire or sell the business. Many freelancers buy both and point one at the other. How to choose a domain name.

Turning it into work

  • Put your site in your email signature, LinkedIn, proposals and every profile.
  • Write a short case study after each project you’re proud of.
  • Ask happy clients for a testimonial and a referral the week you deliver.
  • Answer enquiries within a day, even if only to say when you’ll reply properly.

How Bounley fits

Bounley is the platform built for personal brands. Your site is made from your accounts in about two minutes, with forms for enquiries and bookings, and a business card, QR code and email signature that match it. With Premium it runs on your own domain, with your professional email in the same place.

Questions

Do freelancers need a portfolio website?

For most freelance work, yes: it’s where clients check your work and decide to get in touch. It can be one page, as long as it shows your best work and says how to reach you.

Can I freelance with a Gmail address?

You can, but an address at your own domain makes a stronger first impression on proposals and invoices, and stays the same if you change email provider.

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