Hello, freelancers! How great it would be to just tell clients: I'm really good, trust me - and clients would send us a lot of money. Unfortunately, life is not that simple. Clients want to make sure you know what you're doing before they hire you (how selfish of them!).
So how can you convince them of your qualifications? Using a portfolio. How to create a portfolio on WordPress? Using one of these awesome plugins.
These plugins are not just for freelancers. We think that everyone should demonstrate the results of their work. Even if you are 100% satisfied with your current job, it is always nice to feel in demand. Nowadays, only by changing jobs can you achieve a promotion. It never hurts to have backup options.
Today we will tell you about some of the best WordPress plugins for creating a portfolio.
1.WP Portfolio
This free plugin is number one on this list because it is what we use on our personal sites. It’s very convenient to embed portfolios and thumbnail images here.
To create thumbnails, WordPress Portfolio Plugin integrates with the ShrinkTheWeb service, which automatically creates thumbnails. We couldn't get this service to work, so we manually created and uploaded images, and then the plugin automatically created the thumbnails. If you understand how to run ShrinkTheWeb, creating thumbnails will be even easier.
Adding a new portfolio item is very simple. Just enter the title, website and description. You can edit the Advanced Settings if you want (that's where we added custom thumbnails), but it's not necessary:
Also easy to set up appearance portfolio with basic HTML:
For example, we edited HTML template to remove the description. Therefore, in the photo example of the site above you will not find a description. Only a thumbnail and a link to the article.
If you want to add something to the template, then with a basic knowledge of HTML it will be a piece of cake.
This plugin is perfect for people whose profession is not very related to something visual. That is, if you are a photographer, then it is better to choose another plugin. But if you are a writer, web developer, or even a web designer, then the plugin is just for you.
2. Portfolio by BestWebSoft
Portfolio by BestWebSoft is a free plugin that is very similar to the WordPress Portfolio Plugin. What's the difference? It offers additional functionality, but is slightly inferior in design:
In the screenshot above you can see additional features, such as lots of screenshots, completion dates and more. But you also probably noticed that the design is a little strange. Lots of crookedly formatted text. This is not a disaster, of course, but in this aspect the plugin lags behind the WordPress Portfolio Plugin. Well, in our opinion.
3. Real 3D FlipBook
Real3D FlipBook is definitely the most unique plugin on this list. Instead of displaying portfolio items in a gallery or list, the design looks like a flipbook.
The plugin probably won't suit all portfolios, but if you like this art style, then this is a really cool option. You can add HTML to each page to make it more interactive. For example, insert a video. Or you can upload your portfolio in PDF or JPEG form and create a real interactive book.
Here is an example of a portfolio with video:
Real3D FlipBook is a premium plugin available in the CodeCanyon store for $39.
4. Portfolio for Professionals
Portfolio for Professionals is a relatively new free offering. But it makes up for its youth with regular updates and great features.
Unlike previous plugins, Portfolio for Professionals creates a grid layout that consists primarily of images. This is perfect for photographers or artists:
There are three types of grid layout:
- Masonry
- Fit Rows
- Vertical
5. Huge-IT Portfolio
Portfolio Gallery from Huge-IT is another plugin for photographers and other creative types. There is a paid and free version, but the free one also has a wide range of features.
You can add both images and videos from YouTube or Vimeo. If you want to insert a video into your portfolio, then choose this plugin. You can add a title and description to each work.
Sorting and filtering are also great features. Filtering is only available for the premium version, but potential clients will be able to search for the most important parts of the portfolio. IN paid version you'll also get access to a customizable lightbox.
The premium version costs $40 and is available on Huge-IT. There is also a developer version available, but it is more expensive.
6. Go Portfolio
Go Portfolio is one of the most popular premium portfolio plugins on CodeCanyon. Since this is a paid plugin, it has huge amount various functions.
You can expect:
- 38 templates for an easier start
- Touch device support
- Compatible with Visual Composer
This plugin has templates for all kinds of portfolios. Some of them allow you to create an “As seen in/As featured on...” window. This is excellent proof of your qualifications.
Go Portfolio is available for $23 on CodeCanyon.
If you are an artist or photographer, then pay attention to Portfolio for Professionals or Portfolio Gallery.
Lastly, Go Portfolio is a great all-in-one plugin, although it's not free. And if you need something special, then choose Real3D Flipbook.
Thanks for the information: wpcafe.org
Hello, freelancers! How great it would be to just tell clients: I'm really good, trust me - and clients would send us a lot of money. Unfortunately, life is not that simple. Clients want to make sure you know what you're doing before they hire you (how selfish of them!).
So how can you convince them of your qualifications? Using a portfolio. How to create a portfolio on WordPress? Using one of these awesome plugins.
These plugins are not just for freelancers. We think that everyone should demonstrate the results of their work. Even if you are 100% satisfied with your current job, it is always nice to feel in demand. Nowadays, only by changing jobs can you achieve a promotion. It never hurts to have backup options.
Today we will tell you about some of the best WordPress plugins for creating a portfolio.
1.WP Portfolio
This free plugin is number one on this list because it is what we use on our personal sites. It’s very convenient to embed portfolios and thumbnail images here.
To create thumbnails, WordPress Portfolio Plugin integrates with the ShrinkTheWeb service, which automatically creates thumbnails. We couldn't get this service to work, so we manually created and uploaded images, and then the plugin automatically created the thumbnails. If you understand how to run ShrinkTheWeb, creating thumbnails will be even easier.
Adding a new portfolio item is very simple. Just enter the title, website and description. You can edit the Advanced Settings if you want (that's where we added custom thumbnails), but it's not necessary:
It's also easy to customize the look of your portfolio with basic HTML:
For example, we edited the HTML template to remove the description. Therefore, in the photo example of the site above you will not find a description. Only a thumbnail and a link to the article.
If you want to add something to the template, then with a basic knowledge of HTML it will be a piece of cake.
This plugin is perfect for people whose profession is not very related to something visual. That is, if you are a photographer, then it is better to choose another plugin. But if you are a writer, web developer, or even a web designer, then the plugin is just for you.
2. Portfolio by BestWebSoft
Portfolio by BestWebSoft is a free plugin that is very similar to the WordPress Portfolio Plugin. What's the difference? It offers additional functionality, but is slightly inferior in design:
In the screenshot above, you can see additional features such as multiple screenshots, completion dates, and more. But you also probably noticed that the design is a little strange. Lots of crookedly formatted text. This is not a disaster, of course, but in this aspect the plugin lags behind the WordPress Portfolio Plugin. Well, in our opinion.
3. Real 3D FlipBook
Real3D FlipBook is definitely the most unique plugin on this list. Instead of displaying portfolio items in a gallery or list, the design looks like a flipbook.
The plugin probably won't suit all portfolios, but if you like this art style, then this is a really cool option. You can add HTML to each page to make it more interactive. For example, insert a video. Or you can upload your portfolio in PDF or JPEG form and create a real interactive book.
Here is an example of a portfolio with video:
Real3D FlipBook is a premium plugin available in the CodeCanyon store for $39.
4. Portfolio for Professionals
Portfolio for Professionals is a relatively new free offering. But it makes up for its youth with regular updates and great features.
Unlike previous plugins, Portfolio for Professionals creates a grid layout that consists primarily of images. This is perfect for photographers or artists:
There are three types of grid layout:
- Masonry
- Fit Rows
- Vertical
You can also enable lazy loading of images (great for large portfolios), add titles and tags, separate them across different projects, and much more.
5. Huge-IT Portfolio
Portfolio Gallery from Huge-IT is another plugin for photographers and other creative types. There is a paid and free version, but the free version also has a wide range of features.
You can add both images and videos from YouTube or Vimeo. If you want to insert a video into your portfolio, then choose this plugin. You can add a title and description to each work.
Sorting and filtering are also great features. Filtering is only available for premium versions, but potential clients will be able to search the most important parts of the portfolio. With the paid version, you also get access to a customizable lightbox.
The premium version costs $40 and is available on Huge-IT. There is also a developer version available, but it is more expensive.
6. Go Portfolio
Go Portfolio is one of the most popular premium portfolio plugins on CodeCanyon. Since this is a paid plugin, it has a huge number of different functions.
You can expect:
- 38 templates for an easier start
- Touch device support
- Compatible with Visual Composer
This plugin has templates for all kinds of portfolios. Some of them allow you to create an “As seen in/As featured on...” window. This is excellent proof of your qualifications.
Go Portfolio is available for $23 on CodeCanyon.
7. Bonus - WordPress themes with built-in portfolio
You don't always need a separate plugin. Some themes natively include methods for easily adding a portfolio in options and settings.
So check your theme for such a feature.
Results
A portfolio is an essential attribute for a freelancer or anyone who wants to showcase their work. If you are not working in the artistic field, then WordPress Portfolio Plugin and Portfolio by BestWebSoft are suitable for you.
If you are an artist or photographer, then pay attention to Portfolio for Professionals or Portfolio Gallery.
Lastly, Go Portfolio is a great all-in-one plugin, although it's not free. And if you need something special, then choose Real3D Flipbook.
Do you have a favorite portfolio plugin? Tell us in the comments!
From the author: In older versions of WordPress, creating a gallery was not so easy, let alone a gallery of videos or products. However, today there are many unusual and powerful gallery plugins for WordPress. Compared to older versions of WP, Jetpack Gallery is great, but compared to modern products, it falls short on all fronts. After reading this review of 20 gallery plugins for WP from Envato Market, you'll see what I mean.
Justified Image Grid – Premium WordPress Gallery
Are you looking for a gallery plugin for WP that will do everything you can imagine? Then you need to take a look at Justified Image Grid.
Like any good gallery, here you can reset all the settings in a shortcode. Powerful plugin includes:
20 presets and 340 settings
Change settings for each gallery separately
Upload images from Facebook or Flickr, or manage images via NextGEN
Integration with RSS feeds, ability to show videos from YouTube or Vimeo, images from 500px, Pinterest, deviantART, StumbleUpon, Imgur, Tumblr, etc.
And many more interesting things
You will immediately understand that this is more than just a gallery, as soon as you see all the settings, integration of recent posts and learn that you can connect a CDN. Justified Image Grid is more than just a gallery, much more.
Essential Grid WordPress Plugin
Grids are good, but grids that fit your requirements are even better. With the Essential Grid WordPress Plugin, you can create the perfect grid galleries for WordPress.
Use one of the 30+ built-in skins or create your own using the simple drag-and-drop Visual Skin Editor. One plugin, but a lot of possibilities:
WooCommerce support
Supports multiple sites and languages
YouTube, Vimeo and SoundCloud support
Ability to import your mesh, skins and metadata
The plugin focuses on simplifying the process of creating a gallery, and that's exactly what it does. Using the Visual Skin Editor in the Essential Grid WordPress Plugin, it is much easier to create the perfect galleries for your blog, online store, portfolio, etc.
Media Grid - WordPress responsive portfolio
Grid galleries are great for displaying images, videos, etc. Media Grid has a large set of options and features that will help you easily create your grid gallery.
You will simply work in a drag-and-drop editor, and the plugin will generate a fully responsive grid gallery for you using advanced CSS properties and JQuery. Among the possibilities:
Retina icons
SEO pagination navigation
Search engine in real time
Unlimited responsive layouts
SEO and search make Media Grid stand out from other plugins. With support for images, audio, video and WooCommerce, the plugin can handle any task.
Video Gallery WordPress Plugin /w YouTube, Vimeo
Typically, when people think of a gallery for WP, they think of an image gallery. Some of the plugins on the list support both videos and images, but Video Gallery WordPress Plugin /w YouTube, Vimeo puts more emphasis on video.
The plugin supports images and audio files, but with video it takes to water. Among the possibilities:
Support subtitle and touch screens
Playback from the last point or specified time
Connecting to YouTube API and Vimeo API
You can store your own files and broadcast MPEG-Dash
The plugin is fully responsive and supports retina displays. With it you will be sure that your gallery will look great on any device. In Video Gallery WordPress Plugin /w YouTube, Vimeo galleries are fast, easy, and also have more quantity styles.
Go Portfolio – WordPress responsive portfolio
With Go Portfolio you can create a beautiful gallery in no time. The plugin is easy to use, but this does not mean that it is not functional - the plugin is very flexible.
This WP plugin takes a slightly different approach than the others on this list. As with other plugins, here you can create a gallery and add it to a post or page. However, the difference with the plugin is that you can create a new custom post type. Other features include:
Compatible with all WordPress themes
Responsive grid or horizontal slider layout
Supports multiple image formats, video hosting, audio sources, and WooCommerce
Works with any type of post (including custom ones), you can also create an unlimited number of custom types
If you don’t know where to start, the plugin has 38 ready-made templates. After creating a gallery, you can use advanced file export and import. Go Portfolio will not let you down in any situation.
Thumbnail Gallery (WordPress plugin)
Grid gallery plugins are all the rage these days. Where can you find a fully functional slider plugin? Thumbnail Gallery is what you need.
Add images, YouTube and Vimeo videos, as well as HTML or Flash. Among the possibilities:
drag and drop image sorting
Ability to change the location of thumbnails
Navigate through the gallery using previews or arrows
To insert a gallery, you can use a shortcode generator. All settings are saved in case you want to transfer settings from one gallery to another. Thumbnail Gallery is a serious plugin with good opportunities.
Fancy Gallery - WordPress plugin
Fancy Gallery is a pretty fancy plugin. Galleries can be inserted into posts, pages, widgets, and even other sites.
WITH using HTML Generator, you can host the gallery stored in the plugin on another site. Really unique opportunity among the rest:
3 types of widgets
Works with NextGEN and also supports shortcodes
Thousands of layouts and hover animation effects
An easy way to create a gallery by simply copying images to a folder
As you understand, with the help of Fancy Gallery you can easily create unusual galleries.
uSquare - Universal Responsive WordPress Grid for Team Members, Logos, Portfolio, Products and More
Most gallery plugins give WordPress admins all the design tools to create galleries to suit their needs.
This won't work with uSquare. However, this is not a weakness, but rather a strength of uSquare.
While the designs and styles don't change much, they can be used in very different ways. The plugin has many features:
Animation effects
drag and drop change order
custom height and width of gallery elements
uSquare is a unique, well-designed WP plugin.
Social Gallery WordPress Photo Viewer Plugin
Typically, WP gallery plugins provide a full set of settings so that you can create and style a gallery to suit your needs. Other plugins, on the contrary, limit styling options and focus on a specific niche. Social Gallery WordPress Photo Viewer Plugin does both things very well.
This plugin turns an ordinary lightbox into a super tool with integration social networks. In a similar style to Facebook, users can like, share, comment, etc. Impressive. Other features include:
NextGEN Compatible
Face detection in images
Compatible with Google AdSense
Over 40 CSS3 animation options
Can be connected Disqus comments or Facebook, or your own. Social Gallery WordPress Photo Viewer Plugin is SEO optimized, which is impressive, but the integration of social networks and regular lightbox takes it to a whole other level.
PhotoMosaic for WordPress
PhotoMosaic for WordPress suitable for photographers and designers who need to show their work.
The mosaic can be customized to look good in WordPress. Among the possibilities:
CSS3 loading animation
Shortcodes and Template Tag support
Create your own mosaic gallery quickly and easily. Galleries in PhotoMosaic for WordPress can be created from regular images, images from posts or pages, as well as images from categories and tags from any taxonomy.
Real 3D FlipBook – WordPress plugin
All WP gallery plugins are quite simple. You just need to add images or attach a video and that’s it, the gallery is ready - it’s simple. However, Real 3D FlipBook really goes beyond the typical gallery experience.
Transform your images or PDF (yep, I said PDF) into a page-turning 3D book.
Using WebGL and CSS3D fallback you can create realistic books, magazines and brochures. Among the possibilities:
Setting page turn animation
3 fully CSS custom skins
Zoom using the mouse wheel or pressing on the screen mobile phone
The plugin is fully responsive and supports retina displays. There is also support for deep linking technology and a custom table of contents. The most amazing feature of Real 3D FlipBook is the use of PDF.js for transformation PDF files into interactive books.
Global Gallery – WordPress responsive gallery
Most gallery plugins use custom shortcodes and upload interfaces. On the contrary, Global Gallery works with both WordPress and NextGEN galleries.
In addition to image sliders, carousels and collections, the plugin has:
Deep link filters
Watermarking system
drag-and-drop gallery builder
3 gallery layouts and 8 lightboxes
It is also worth highlighting the number of image sources:
Global Gallery works great with WP galleries and has its own impressive set of features.
UberGrid – Responsive Grid Builder for WordPress
Use UberGrid to create super cool galleries. Be it regular posts or WooCommerce, the plugin is suitable for everything.
The plugin is fully responsive, supports retina displays, has many lightbox options, and many functions:
Built-in widgets and fast CSS3 animation
Google Fonts and JetpackPhoton support
The most impressive feature is the ability to open the grid in a lightbox, i.e. The plugin can be used with other galleries such as PrettyPhoto, JetPack Gallery, FooBox, etc. The UberGrid plugin has a lot to boast about, and at the same time it can act as a lightbox addition to another gallery.
Final Tiles Grid Gallery for WordPress
Final Tiles Grid Gallery for WordPress is a good plugin for WP. The plugin is easy to customize and also supports YouTube, Vimeo, WooCommerce, SoundCloud and WordPress images.
The plugin has everything you might need:
Image Captions
7 different lightboxes
Customizable aspect ratio and filters
Final Tiles Grid Gallery for WordPress is a beautiful plugin.
iLightBox Revolutionary Lightbox for WordPress
Galleries are great, but sometimes what you really need is to improve your lightbox. iLightBox Revolutionary Lightbox for WordPress – a real revolution in lightbox galleries for WP.
A universal jQuery solution with a friendly API. Among the possibilities:
Fully adaptable
YouTube and Vimeo support
HTML content parser for shortcodes
You can navigate the gallery using your keyboard, mouse, or touch screen. iLightBox works alongside Jetpack, NextGEN and standard WP gallery shortcodes. Indeed, a revolution.
ZoomFolio – WordPress portfolio plugin
ZoomFolio does a great job of creating galleries and customizing them. The plugin works with image galleries as well as portfolios or recent blog posts.
Install, add content, create a gallery. It's simple. And there are not so few possibilities:
Custom lightbox
Optimization for iOS and Android
WooCommerce and YARPP support
ZoomFolio uses CSS3 to create 3D animation (you can use the technique if necessary graceful degradation and remove this effect) is a simple gallery plugin for WP.
Grid FX – Responsive Grid Plugin for WordPress
The plugin has many features that we have already seen in other plugins, but it uses them in an unusual way. Grid FX really good set options, which makes it a little more powerful than regular gallery plugins.
You can display blog posts, custom types, and more. Impressive list of features:
Page navigation and more than 80 options
Custom effects and built-in views and likes system
Support YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc.
The ability to collect WooCommerce images, posts, videos, etc. in one gallery.
In addition to the likes and views system, there is an impressive feature - built-in drop-down lists with filters and sorting, which allows users to quickly and easily create a powerful online store, etc. Grid FX is truly impressive.
Awesome Gallery - Instagram, Flickr, Facebook galleries on your website
I have to say, once you start taking a closer look at the Awesome Gallery plugin, you realize that it is amazing.
CDN and automatic updates
Custom overlay effects, captions, filters, etc.
10 preset styles, 3 layout modes and 3 built-in lightboxes
Image sources can be Flickr, Instagram, Facebook, WordPress posts, WooCommerce, 500px, and RSS feeds
Awesome Gallery is fully responsive and supports retina displays - a powerful WordPress plugin.
Thumbnail Gallery (WP NextGEN Gallery Template)
Thumbnail Gallery is the same as Thumbnail Gallery (WordPress Plugin). The difference is that this plugin is created as a NextGEN gallery template.
In addition to over 100 customization options, there are many features that are worth paying attention to:
Touch screen support
Image titles and descriptions
If you are already using NextGEN WordPress Gallery, then you should definitely take a look at Thumbnail Gallery.
Wall/Grid Gallery (WordPress plugin)
Turn a regular gallery or lightbox into a grid gallery with images, videos or HTML content. The Wall/Grid Gallery plugin has everything you need to create and manage a grid gallery.
Among the possibilities:
Touch screen support
Setting up galleries and lightboxes
There's nothing fancy about the Wall/Grid Gallery plugin, but over 60 options make it highly customizable. Powerful solution.
Conclusion
In this review, several WordPress galleries caught my attention. Some of them make maximum use of CSS3 effects, while others work more with the back-end.
What could better prove a professional than a high-quality portfolio on a website? Without it, not a single site of a photographer, copywriter, webmaster or large construction company can exist. It’s like an honors board that displays the past successes of a master of his craft.
Now there is an opportunity, without much effort and the involvement of website builders, to create on the site WordPress quality portfolio using the plugin. IN this review The 4 best additions of this type will be considered.
1. Nimble Portfolio – the ultimate media showcase tool
If your profession is directly related to media creation - you have mastered the business of photography, write music or shoot videos, Nimble Portfolio is ideal for demonstrating your work. It is important that this plugin works adaptively, that is, it adapts to any device: PDA, tablet, smartphone, netbook, etc. In addition, all downloaded information can be conveniently filtered and sorted into categories.
Given WordPress plugin includes a built-in gallery for viewing any type of media (even PDF) directly through the site page without intermediary services. And if you are promoting your own channel on Youtube, it is possible to add videos from third-party servers. As for the design, the user has the opportunity to choose the design and change the cover of the plugin.
2. OTW Portfolio Light – software for posting a portfolio on website pages
With this WordPress add-on, you can both create separate resource categories with your works and place them directly in articles using special html code. The main advantage of the tool is ease of use. Even for people who are far from the basics of website building and manipulation of the WordPress engine, it will be easy to add several media files, create a category, a filter, and place a portfolio on the site. The addition is suitable for both photographers and other professions.
3. Awesome Filterable Portfolio – a simple portfolio plugin with the ability to create animations
This WordPress module is more suitable for large companies than for a single photographer, as it allows you not only to add media, but also a description to the uploaded files. It will be useful for construction companies - they will be able to post videos from the site, information about the stages of construction, contact details of customers and other information.
An attractive feature of this WordPress plugin is the ability to create animations from a number of images in categories. Usually, you need to install a separate plugin for this, but this add-on this function built-in The number of categories in Awesome Filterable Portfolio is unlimited. Works in four languages.
4. Aelos – a modern WordPress plugin for quickly creating a photographer’s portfolio
For a photographer who does not understand the engine, this tool will be the key to salvation. It is very easy to use - even files can be uploaded by drag and drop.
This is one of the few plugins that allows you to work with huge images larger than 1980x1080. This will be useful for a photographer who does not want to sacrifice the quality of the image in the portfolio for the sake of the whimsicality of the module.
And for those who know how to customize CSS, Aelos offers unlimited possibilities for creating custom designs: any color, font, frames, etc. Color range can be configured without CSS - directly in the administration panel. There you can also configure the number of elements on the page and the types of labels.
Any of the above solutions will help you! With the help of a portfolio, you will increase the client’s trust, your reputation, and even be able to increase the price. Good luck!
