Personal websites. Everyone should have one.
Intuitively, I believe this is true. But why? My personal website, the website you're reading now, has been everything to me. My career, my business, my life's work — all wrapped up into one neat, 2-dimensional digital package.
But what about others? Am I just a lone weirdo, obsessed with "cloning" myself through my website? Or are others doing the same?
I wanted to find out. So, I asked 32 people about their personal websites. The answers blew my mind. Read on to find out.
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Best Personal Websites Examples
I asked the following people 3 questions about their personal website:
- What is the purpose of your personal website?
- In what ways does having a personal website help you?
- What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
See their websites and read their answers below.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
The purpose of my website is to teach what I've learned from the different phases in my life. Since I've experienced a lot, I think this provides me with a wide variety of topics to write about and my website reflects that. I write about everything from growing up in the hood, to sobriety, to forgiveness. If I don't know it well, I don't write about it.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It's a great way to build my email list and generate income. It's also a great portfolio for my work and connects me to people who are looking for speakers or someone to reach out. The website is working for me even when I'm away from the computer. It's a great set up for any passive income I want to generate.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Live life. This is a lot easier to do if you have something to say and you'll have something to say if you've experienced life.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
Your website is your resume, your business card, your store, your directory, and your personal magazine. It’s the one place online that you completely own and control – your Online Home.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It's my own intellectual real estate. It's a place that I own, where people can always find me.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Start collecting emails. Writing online without collecting emails is like playing Monopoly, passing GO, and not collecting $200. There's much more in this article.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I see my personal website as my “hub” on the internet. It’s the place for people to find access to the projects I’m working on, to learn more about me, and to link out to all the other platforms I’m on. It acts as a single URL you can send people to to find out about all of that stuff!
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
My advice to anyone creating their personal site is to think about what you want a visitor to do next. Do you want them to hire you? Buy a product you’re selling? Read your blog? Pick one main thing and make it the goal of your personal site homepage to provide any information someone would need to take that next step. For me, I want people to read or watch the content I create. So content plays a huge role on my homepage.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I created my website zubymusic.com as an official hub for my various projects including my music, live events, podcast, videos, book and merchandise. The purpose is to introduce people to me and provide easy access to my various works.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It creates a strong, professional impression for my brand and business. It helps with SEO and allows me to showcase much more than I can on social media alone.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Don't overthink it. Just do it. It's better to start small and simple and improve over time, rather than to waste time trying to get it 'perfect' right away. Websites can always be updated and changed when necessary.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
It's my legacy. It's what of left of me when I die. So I try to share everything.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
I love the people I meet - people who are drawn to me because of what I've shared on my site, then contact me. But that would happen through other corporate platforms, too. So the main benefit of having this on my personal site is keeping it un-commerical, un-monetized, and personal. I like the security of knowing that since it's a static HTML site, not dependent on any framework or platform, that it can last forever.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Think simply. Ignore everything people say you need. Simplify it before you even start. Say no to everything but getting your words/content out there.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I spend most of my time as a marketing strategist for the coworking industry everspaces.com, but I still have clients in other industries and I like exploring general marketing ideas.
Historically, I've used kevin.me as a way to:
- a) Explore interests outside of the coworking industry. It includes more general marketing observations and topics I'm personally interested in.
- b) Have a general website that allows me to capture inquires from leads/referrals outside of the coworking industry. My consulting services are designed to meet a wide range of industry/company needs, so it's like a catch-all for those opportunities.
Lately, though, I've been exploring topics that interest "people like me", aka independent professionals. I'm beginning to focus on the nuances of topics like personal websites, newsletters, podcasts, community building, audience growth, marketing tools, and other ideas that relate to my life as an independent professional. So, it's slowly moving in that direction.
The primary goal now is to build up "Letter of Independence", my newsletter for independent professionals. We'll see where it goes.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
Having a personal site lets me explore ideas that interest me, without a specific end goal in mind. It feels like art to me (business/marketing is my art). It lets me maintain my positioning as a specialist (via Everspaces) while maintaining a curious mind as a generalist and capturing opportunities that come my way. It keeps things fresh and interesting.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
The main thing I'd say is to have fun with it. This is your little slice of "internet utopia"—it's yours to do with as you please. It's your art (even if it's also your business). For me, I work hard to keep my site "no frills" and minimalistic so I can focus on the content. But that's just me. Your idea of utopia might be completely different. Have fun with it. 🙂
What is the purpose of your personal website?
A place for me to write & connect with people who love my work.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It provides a hub for fans of my podcast & writing to access for new, exclusive content.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Just start it! You can iterate once it's live.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I think of my personal website as my online home. It's a place where people from all over the world can learn about me, find my work, explore my ideas, and connect with me. In the digital age, everyone should have an online presence, and this starts with a personal website.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
My personal website is also my resume — anyone can Google my name and learn what I do. It's like a magnet for ideas, like-minded people, and work opportunities.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Create a well-thought Start Here page. Your Start Here page may be the most visited page on your website, so make sure you provide a welcoming experience with a vibrant picture and a catchy summary of who you are and what you do.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
First, I love documenting and sharing what I am learning along the way with my entrepreneurial journey. In a way, my website is a place for me to write and publish things that are a reminder to my future self.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
Having a personal website is extremely helpful in terms of how it positions me. People perceive me in a different way, almost like a celebrity. When you put up a perception, it quickly becomes reality. Also, a personal brand is something that will never go away. While you may start and stop companies throughout your career, your personal brand will never go away. As a result, the SEO power of my personal brand website is through the roof because I've been working on the same site for 8 years straight...
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Just start. Everyone overthinks it. My first version of my website and my blog was horrible. I had no idea what I was doing. But I just started. And once you start, commit to publishing something once a week for at least 90 days. That will help you push through the initial hump and build a base of content that you can leverage for years to come.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
My personal website is a place for me to share my thinking and to let others know what I'm all about.
I think of it as my online resume, but it's more robust than a resume could ever be because it shows what I'm thinking about, how I think, what I'm curious about and more.
It also allows me to share things that I've learned with a broader audience.
The best part is that people can access all of this without taking any of my time in the present.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
Having a presence online allows me to find peers and collaborators and opens the door to interesting opportunities and projects.
The internet has dramatically increased the returns on writing. Specifically, writing online has lowered the cost of creating and distributing my ideas.
On some level it also holds me accountable. If I'm going to publicly share my thinking and writing then there's usually some effort to refine raw thoughts and to articulate them in a way that is easy to consume and understand by the general public. Said another way, the social pressure of "putting it out there" forces me to keep leveling up.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
My website has existed in various iterations since 2009. I've seen *a lot* of personal websites come and go during that time.
I say that because you need to have a good understanding of WHY you want to have a personal website. What is the value that you're trying to create?
You have to decide if it's "worth it" for you. If you can talk yourself out of doing it before you even start, don't go through the trouble.
But, if you truly want to start one, don't worry about your website being perfect. You don't need a logo or the perfect design, you need to start.
If you are serious about starting, show you are serious by buying your own domain name. My favorite host, Siteground, has a one-click WordPress set-up.
Go forth and good luck!
What is the purpose of the website?
I feel like the beauty of having your own website is the freedom of doing whatever you want with it. Whether you want to build a page for your resume, portfolio, blog, landing page - it is yours to choose, because it is yours.
To give you an example, I once set up a page /livingtogether to showcase reasons to live with me when I was applying for rooms in a high-demand city. To say the least, it turned out successful.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
Simply by existing, you are constantly communicating a picture of yourself onto others. This is your brand. Everyone has one.
Unfortunately, for most people this process happens unintentionally. It means that these people potentially communicate something they don’t want to stand for.
Creating your own website is a major step in being intentional with who you want to be and what you want to represent.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a website.
Different is better than better.
Creating a personal website is expressing yourself. And there is only one you in this world. Let it show.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
The purpose of my website is to share what I’ve learned throughout my unusual life. I grew up in foster homes in California, served in the military, graduated from Yale, and now study psychology at Cambridge University. My key areas of interest are human nature, social class, and success.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
The main purpose of my website is for people who want to learn more about me and my ideas—it showcases my best essays, my podcast appearances, and selected past newsletters. It also helps to build my email list to share my ideas and reflections with more people.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Provide value. The people who have the most success in building their websites always keep in mind that the website is for other people, not for them.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
This was intended as a compendium that pulled together several disparate elements of my life. I'm not "selling" anything, but did want a single resource that anyone wanting to get to know/evaluate me and my work could come to.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
I wanted to have a repository for my speaking/press clippings to gain more opportunities in that regard and to share my thoughts through the built-in blog.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Think about your goals and reverse engineer from there, but more importantly think about your brand—both visually and in terms of rhetoric. For someone like me, it took a while to think through what all the different parts of my life represented and how I could present that in a succinct way. I landed on "polymath with purpose" and structured the site across my three core elements as a founder, storyteller, and philanthropist. Luckily I had plenty of content to work with. But really think what is that "throughline" you can utilize to help people get who you are.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
The purpose has changed throughout the years, from getting an internship to getting new clients. Now people go to my website to peek into my brain, my latest ideas.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
Internet serendipity truly exists. Having a personal website facilitates new introductions and collaborations. My website is a valuable asset I own, that doesn’t really depreciate.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
It is essential to have your name, a picture, one paragraph of how you can help other people and your contact details. This is the MVP. Writing a compelling personal story, sharing your past work, testimonials, downloadable resume, publishing new ideas in a blog.. All of these add value but come later. It is better to have something than nothing at all! Everyone should have a personal website.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I run my personal website so I can own my own little chunk of digital real estate. I wanted a place where I could put up ideas, products, and content that wasn't owned by anybody else or controlled by any social media gatekeeper. Today, it works as a homebase for a lot of my thinking.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
I've landed speaking engagements, consulting opportunities, and even a book deal through my website. I also use it as a place to test ideas that become products and courses.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Get something simple up and start writing. I talk about this in-detail in my book, but you want your site to be a place where people show up and they keep reading because you actually have content there. Once you get some basic content, you can then focus on driving traffic through brand builders and inbound sources.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
To give people a quick overview of how i spend my time/what my priorities are/what i like doing.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It's a nice place to "own" on the internet if I ever need to host something, like an essay.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
At a minimum have a webpage with your name on it and a "email me" button.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
My purpose for a personal website is to share my content for others.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
A personal website provides one crucial benefit - I get to work for myself. Freedom is one of my values.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
My # 1 tip would be to just get started. Find a domain service and create your website as you wish.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
The purpose of my personal website is to help build confidence thru communication skills. I use it as a platform to share stories via written, audio & video. Furthermore, I sell my products via my site too.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
The website helps me because it holds my portfolio of work that others can see whenever. And it has 24/7 usability which makes it easier to market my brand & do ecommerce. This has been great to build my email list as well.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
The number 1 tip i would give others who are looking to build a site is to produce content & be consistent. The content gives your brand a body of work to stand on which builds credibility.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I've been blogging since 2007, but every blog I had was always about a specific topic. My first blog was about learning languages, then I blogged about living abroad, and finally, I blogged about practical philosophy for some time. Every blog was branded, though—me, the writer, was mostly irrelevant.
However, over time people with the same interests as I found my blog and started emailing me. Many of the things I talked about on Twitter resonated with them, and I wanted an online home to "think out loud."
Last year, I did David Perell's Write of Passage course, which gave me a new perspective on writing online. Before, I thought I had to be "on brand" and shouldn't deviate from my blog's topic. That felt increasingly restrictive, so David's motto "create your personal niche and serendipity vehicle" resonated with me immediately.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
The fact that it's a personal website gives me the mental thumbs-up to talk about basically anything I like. Still, I approach it somewhat professionally, so you won't see videos from my dog or read stories about my love life. Besides that, all is fair game. Because my site carries my name, I clarify the words on it are *my view* of things and not necessarily the absolute truth.
Sharing my perspective has already turned my site into the serendipity vehicle, as promised by David Perell. Blogging has helped me to connect with like-minded professionals in a short time. Together with Twitter, it has already resulted in business opportunities.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
I'm going to cheat here as I have a few pieces of advice, but number 1 is:
*Don't complicate things too much, but be sure you launch a site you're happy about.* Have a personal website you're proud of and that people (and you!) like to return to. I've met more people than I can count on my hands and toes who had a personal website but didn't want to give me the address because they didn't like what they produced.
Also, know you why. Setting up a site and writing is not very complicated, but it will take a fair chunk of time to do it properly and consistently. If you don't know why you're going through this trouble, you're likely to give up. Think of what you want to learn and who you want to meet online.
If you're not tech-savvy, start with a simple blogging system like Wordpress or Squarespace. But, make sure you get your own domain name. Nothing is worse than building up authority online on a domain you don't own like the free http://Wordpress.com plan or Medium).
What is the purpose of your personal website?
My site’s been around for 16 years now, and it’s always been a bit of a Swiss army knife. It’s never had a single purpose, but serves as a hub to all things I’m involved in. Priorities have changed over the years, but if you want to learn more about me and my interests, see some of my work, check out my hobbies, and read my thoughts on video games — you can do it all in one place.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
I’ve never really separated my work and personal life in terms of my website. It’s all there, and my personality and tone is maintained through-out. Going this route allows me to do whatever I want at any given time, without worrying if it fits with my brand or will be off-putting if it doesn’t fit a certain mold.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Figure out how you want to represent yourself and stick with it. Don’t worry about conforming to someone else’s standards. It’s your space, your own little corner of the web, and should reflect you as an individual. Have fun with it and be creative.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
The purpose of my website is to sell people on me as a professional. That means selling them on working with me, either as an employee, an investor, or a client/employer.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
My website demonstrates who I am far better than a resume or my LinkedIn can because it’s something I can fully build out and personalize to communicate my personal brand.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Do a LOT of self-analysis. I went so far as to list all of my personality test assessments, management styles, professional interests, personal interests, reviews from people who’ve worked with me, reference letters, and areas of expertise. All of that, as well as even a personal SWOT analysis of myself, are listed on my website for the world to see. This tells others who I am, but more importantly, it tells them I know who I am, and builds trust when I speak to that expertise.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I have multiple ventures, and I wanted my personal website to be a space where people could learn about me and everything that I'm up to.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It's like a personal calling card. It's the first thing that comes up when people Google me, and it allows me to tell my own story.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Do the work of defining your personal brand first, and allow your website to be an embodiment of that brand.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
Show potential clients my process. Showcase my work, thoughts, and a way to know me online.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It's opened up opportunities. It's helped me land jobs and make connections.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Start everything in writing. Follow the design process. Design how it looks last. Figure our your why before anything. It will never be done. Iterate. Set constraints so that you know when to finish Version 1. Improve it as time goes by. Nothing great is built overnight.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
To share what I know about product management. I’ve launched over 25 software products to over 500k customers.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
I can share my thoughts and learnings online for others to learn and collaborate on. Phenomenal way for networking. I’ve made two hires from the site alone! Also good for new consulting gigs if I have availability and the project makes sense.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Don’t be afraid. One day you’ll want one and regret not starting one earlier. Just because the person next door doesn’t care about what you publish doesn’t mean you can’t generate an audience. Luckily there’s a huge number of folks online.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
To have one place that has all my intellectual property, i.e. best ideas, articles, podcast episodes, talks, etc. It’s valuable to have a place where you can share your spiky point of view.
How do you see the world? How can you add value? What can you teach someone that they don’t already know?
You get to share that on your site.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
I write a weekly newsletter on marketing, leadership, and strategy, which I post on my site too. I’ve blogged for the past ten years. Having my blog on my site shows credibility, a track record of rigorous thinking, and my point of view over time.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
You’ll never be completely happy with your website, so just get started. You can always iterate as you go. Your website can evolve with you.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
It’s kind of funny because I honestly don’t think of it as a personal website. My goal is always to serve others through what I offer there.
In my case I am focusing on helping businesses communicate to their customers through targeted and compelling photography. It’s a huge passion of mine because I believe small businesses are where big things happen.
There’s nothing more rewarding to me than helping a business owner - who has worked hard to build what they have - communicate their reason for pushing forward.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It is my place on the Internet. A place to present what I want to do and be known for.
It’s ok to have a social account somewhere or a random page on a free site somewhere. But controlling the entire experience is something truly special.
What’s difficult about existing online is our inability to really stand out. A website does that for you. It’s a first impression like no other available online.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Don’t build a website for yourself, build it for the people you want to have a good experience there.
You are a very complex topic. Focus in and help people understand who you are and what you bring to their lives. If you don’t know what you’re offering, dig deeper and find a reason for people to care about what you want to share with them.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
My website is the top of my funnel for consulting. Someone will visit my website with the goal of converting to an email subscriber. If they enjoy my content, maybe they’ll hire me for communication strategy consulting or for a speaking gig.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
A website is a way to differentiate against others. It shows people that I am an expert in my field. Without it, I’m a commoditized service provider like others in my space.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Just start! Your website will evolve over time. That’s okay. It’s more important to just start doing it and the rest will figure itself out.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
It’s the main way I represent myself online. Anyone who comes to the site can get a sense of who I am, read stuff I’ve written, subscribe to my newsletter, and “Internet stalk” me (find my accounts on LinkedIn, Twitter, Medium, etc).
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
While I do have a website for my small business, I prefer to interact with people as an individual rather than a faceless entity. Having a personal site helps with that. Also, my coaching work entails some vulnerability, so I try to be as open as possible on my website. A number of clients have said they feel more at ease with me and my team because I've openly shared my personal stories & thoughts online.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Steer clear of gimmicks! People can see through them. Plus, ultra-flashy website features often feel bulky on a phone, which is where your first impression is most likely to take place.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
This site is going to be a home for all my personal projects. Anytime I get the inspiration to build something new or share interesting info, I'll do it on this site.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
A personal website is the best resume that ever existed. Interesting people will learn far more about me through this website than through any networking event or job application.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Build in public. It will force you to learn fast, and ship a product you're proud of.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
I showcase my writing, my podcast, and my books.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It gives me a place to share my ideas. It works as a sort of "business card." Actually, I don't even have business cards, because I have a personal website!
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Do it yesterday!
What is the purpose of your personal website?
Meet interesting people.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
Put my thoughts in front of others + establish credibility.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Don't wait!
Key Takeaways From The Best Personal Websites
Yes, I'm including my own personal website on this list. I'm uncomfortable with self-promotion. That means I have to do it.
What is the purpose of your personal website?
In the past, I've used it to gain employment. Right now, my personal website is my business. So I use it to write articles, build an audience, and sell my products — my book, Productize Yourself, and my consulting website template kit.
In what ways does having a personal website help you?
It helps me with everything related to my career: my income, my business, my network, my writing, my thinking — all of it. It's my life's work. It's a 2-dimensional clone of myself. I need to eat, sleep, work out, do jiu-jitsu...but my website doesn't. It continues to generate income, opportunities, and builds my audience 24/7, no matter what I'm doing. It's the most important asset I own.
What is the #1 tip you have for people who want to build a personal website?
Use my guide on How To Make A Personal Website In 5 Easy Steps — and like nearly everyone else featured in this article said: "just start." It doesn't matter if you're not tech-saavy. It doesn't matter if you can't write. It doesn't matter if you're afraid of public speaking or recording yourself. I had none of these skills when I started my personal website. But I became tech-saavy, a writer, and speaker through my personal website. And it will be the same for you.
Here are 7 key takeaways that will help you build your own personal website:
- Just start! The most important thing is to get started. Keep it simple. Get something up. And you can get started in less than two minutes.
- Ownership. Unlike other websites or platforms, you own your personal website. It's your own online hub and space on the internet that no one can take away from you. It's like owning digital real estate (except it's much cheaper than real estate).
- It will evolve. Your personal website will evolve (and improve) over time — just like you. In fact, it will help you evolve. Use it as tool to improve yourself: your career, your business, your audience, and your income.
- Build in public. You don't become an expert and then build your personal website. You write, speak, and think through your personal website — and then you become the expert.
- Internet Serendipity. Luck might not exist in real life...but it does on the internet. When you have a personal website, you plug yourself into global network, increasing your "luck surface area."
- It's the best resume that exists. Want a better job or a raise at your current job? Start a personal website. It will impress your potential or current employer more than anything else.
- It's also the best networking tool that exists. Forget about traditional networking. Start a personal website, share what you know, and the people who you want to meet will come to you. An introvert's dream 😉.
Action Step — Start Your Personal Website!
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
That step for you is to purchase your personal domain name. And you can do it in under 2 minutes for less than $10 — watch my video below right now to guide you through the process.
107 seconds that will change your life — if you take action.
I've put together a guide on How To Make A Personal Website In 5 Easy Steps to walk you through each — so you can create your own personal website and level up your life.
You have something unique — something special — to bring to the world. Don't hide it. Bring your gift forth with your personal website. Your life will never be the same.