How to Build a Portfolio Website with $500 Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you're a freelancer, a creative, or a job seeker ,, a professional portfolio website is essential in today’s digital world. But many people assume that creating one is expensive or overly technical. The good news? You can get a beautiful, fully functional custom-coded portfolio site built, hosted, and live on your domain ,, all within a $500 budget.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how I help my clients build portfolio websites for just $500, using real developers, clean code, and trusted platforms.

What You’ll Get for $500

Here’s what your budget will cover:

• Custom Website Developer - A skilled developer to code your website (Nextjs) - $400
• Domain Purchase - Buy your own domain name from Hostinger - $15–$20/year
• Website Hosting - Free hosting via Netlify - $0
• Domain Setup - Connecting your domain to Netlify - Included
• Total - ~$500

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Step 1: Hire a Custom Code Developer

To make your website stand out, skip the cookie-cutter templates and hire a real developer who can hand-code your design. This gives you:

• A unique layout
• Fast load speeds
• Mobile responsiveness
• Clean SEO-ready code

You can find skilled developers on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or through personal referrals. I personally manage this process for my clients using trusted developers I’ve worked with over the years.

Pro Tip: Share a few portfolio sites you like as inspiration. It helps your developer understand your aesthetic.

Step 2: Host Your Website with Netlify (Free)

Once your developer sends you the code (usually in HTML/CSS/JS or a React project), the next step is to host the website so people can access it online.

I recommend using Netlify because:

• It’s free
• It supports custom domains
• It’s perfect for frontend sites
• It includes HTTPS for free

Your developer will upload your website files to Netlify, and within minutes, your site will be live at a temporary Netlify URL (like yourname.netlify.app).

Step 3: Buy Your Domain from Hostinger

Now it’s time to get your own .com domain name. Head over to Hostinger and:

• Search for your name or brand
• Purchase your domain (usually around $15–20/year)

Tip: Choose a domain like yourname.com or yourname.design to look professional and clean.

Step 4: Connect Your Domain to Netlify

Your developer (or you, if you're tech-savvy) will then:

• Go to Netlify > Domain settings
• Add your custom domain
• Update DNS records in Hostinger to point to Netlify

This process usually takes less than an hour, and Netlify handles the HTTPS (SSL certificate) automatically ,, so your site will be secure.

End Result

By the end of this process, you’ll have:

• A custom-designed portfolio website
• Hosted for free
• Under your own personal domain
• Built entirely with clean code

All within your $500 budget.

Need Help? I Can Build It for You

I’ve been helping clients build stunning portfolio websites for years ,, and I manage everything from developer hiring to hosting and domain setup.

If you want a portfolio built within your budget, just email me at heymohaimin@gmail.com ,, I’ll take care of the rest.

Final Thoughts

Don’t let the idea of coding or hosting overwhelm you. With a clear plan and a $500 budget, you can easily have a professional portfolio that reflects your skills, work, and personality. You don’t need monthly subscriptions or bloated website builders ,, just a lean, fast, personal website that’s truly yours.

Ready to start? Your dream site is just one email away.