Let’s be blunt: in 2025, if you’re still using yourname123.wordpress.com or freelancer567.wixsite.com, you’re holding your brand back.
Personal branding has leveled up. People expect polish. And nothing says “I’m serious” more than owning your own domain.
The Email Test
A quick story. Back when I was freelancing in 2021, I sent out pitches using a Gmail address tied to a free site portfolio. Crickets.
Then, I switched to a custom domain—myname.com—and suddenly, the same pitch emails started getting replies. Nothing else changed. Just the domain.
Why? Because to clients, it screamed professionalism. It wasn’t just “some freelancer.” It was a brand.
Why Domains = Authority
- First impressions matter. Imagine someone comparing janedesign.com vs janedesign.wixsite.com. Who looks more established?
- Google loves it. Search engines take custom domains more seriously than free subdomains.
- Longevity. Social media trends come and go. Your domain? It’s your digital home.
- Email branding. you@yourdomain.com >>> randomgmail@gmail.com. Always.
Story: A Missed Opportunity
A friend of mine once lost a big corporate client because his portfolio lived on a free site. The HR team actually said, “It just didn’t feel trustworthy enough.”
That’s the brutal truth: your work could be amazing, but if your “digital front door” looks cheap, clients assume the rest of your business is too.
Why 2025 Makes This Urgent
With AI-generated everything, scams, and low-effort freelancers flooding the internet, clients are craving trust signals.
A custom domain is one of the easiest—and cheapest—ways to say: “I’m real. I’m invested. You can rely on me.”
Final Thought
Building a personal brand isn’t about flashy logos or gimmicks. It starts with the basics. A domain is your nameplate, your storefront, your anchor online.
So if you haven’t already, grab your name.com (or .co, .io, whatever fits). Make it yours. Because in 2025, your brand doesn’t start with a social profile—it starts with a domain.
👉 Want an easier way to set up a portfolio on your own domain? VisitFolio.com makes it simple, even if you’re not tech-expert.
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