Do All Web Designers’ Portfolios Contain Real Clients?

When evaluating potential web designers, many business owners assume that a designer’s portfolio is made up of real client work. However, the truth is that not all portfolios are as they seem. While some portfolios do showcase actual client projects, others may include personal projects, conceptual designs, or even speculative work that wasn’t commissioned by a real client. In this article, we’ll debunk the myth that all web designers’ portfolios feature real client work and explain why it’s important to ask the right questions when reviewing a designer’s portfolio.

Not All Work in Portfolios Is Client-Based

Many web designers use their portfolios to showcase a range of work, which may not always include real clients.

  • Personal Projects: Some designers include personal projects or websites they’ve created for fun to demonstrate their design skills. While these can be impressive, they might not reflect real-world requirements or client needs.
  • Speculative Work: In some cases, designers create websites for hypothetical clients or industries to showcase their creative abilities, but these websites were never built for actual businesses or individuals.
  • Class or School Projects: New designers often have robust portfolios, often showcasing work done for well-known brands, which may actually be class or school projects. Many design schools advertise the fact that upon graduation, the student will have a robust portfolio to show off.

At Advertising Solutions, we ensure that our portfolio is filled with real client work. Our team works on live projects that reflect the actual challenges and needs of businesses, not just theoretical designs.

Some Designers Use Template Work

A designer may use templates as a starting point for a project or even showcase templates in their portfolio as if they created them from scratch.

  • Template Customization: While many web designers modify templates to suit their client’s needs, it’s essential to differentiate between fully custom designs and those built off templates.
  • Pre-Built Solutions: In some cases, designers may offer pre-built solutions from theme providers and present them as custom work, which could be misleading.

At Advertising Solutions, we specialize in custom web design tailored to your business needs. We don’t rely on templates, and our portfolio features unique websites built for real clients.

The Portfolio May Not Reflect the Designer’s Actual Role

A portfolio might feature work where the designer had limited involvement, or the designer may have worked as part of a larger team.

  • Team Projects: Sometimes, designers showcase projects where they were only responsible for a specific aspect, such as visual design or front-end coding, but not the entire project.
  • Collaboration with Developers: In many cases, designers collaborate with other professionals, such as developers or project managers, and their portfolio may not reflect the full team effort.

At Advertising Solutions, we clearly highlight the specific role we play in each project we showcase, ensuring you understand our involvement and expertise in every aspect of the design process.

Ask the Right Questions to Verify Real Client Work

When reviewing a web designer’s portfolio, it’s important to ask the right questions to verify whether the projects are real client-based and whether the designer’s skills align with your needs.

  • Request Case Studies: Ask for detailed case studies that explain the project’s goals, the designer’s role, and the results achieved.
  • Client Testimonials: Look for client testimonials or references that verify the designer’s work on real projects.
  • Request Access to Live Websites: Ask for live links to websites the designer has built, not just screenshots, to see how they perform in real-world conditions.

At Advertising Solutions, we provide full transparency, including detailed case studies and client testimonials for every project. You can also view live examples of our work to understand our capabilities and results.

Conclusion

While web designers’ portfolios can be a great way to gauge their skills and aesthetic, it’s important to recognize that not all portfolios represent real client work. Be sure to ask the right questions and verify the projects you see to ensure the designer’s experience aligns with your business needs. At Advertising Solutions, we pride ourselves on transparency, and our portfolio showcases real, client-driven projects with measurable results. Whether you’re looking for a custom website design, SEO optimization, or a user-friendly experience, we’re here to help you build a site that drives business success.

Looking for a web designer who delivers real results? Contact Advertising Solutions today to explore our portfolio and discuss how we can help you create a website that meets your business goals.