I’ll be honest—when I started freelancing, I thought having an Instagram page and a decent LinkedIn profile was enough. I’d post my work, maybe share a win here and there, and just wait for clients to slide into my DMs. Sometimes it worked. Most of the time, though, it felt like I was shouting into a crowded room where everyone else was shouting too.
The funny thing is, a lot of freelancers I talk to still rely only on social media for clients. And yeah, it can work. But here’s the part nobody really says out loud: social profiles might get you noticed, but they rarely make you look like a pro worth paying more.
Social media is noisy
Scroll through Instagram or LinkedIn and what do you see? Dozens of other freelancers, coaches, designers, writers—everyone saying, “Hire me.” It’s overwhelming. A potential client might love your work, but then they get distracted, scroll past, and forget about you by the next cat video.
With a personal website, though, the spotlight’s on you. No ads popping up. No competitors right next door. Just your work, your story, and your services. That kind of focus is priceless.
Clients pay more when they trust you
Here’s a little story. A friend of mine, Maya, is a photographer. For years she booked clients only through Instagram. She was good, her rates were fair, but she kept running into people asking for discounts or ghosting her after she sent pricing.
Finally, she set up a personal website. Portfolio, packages, testimonials, even a simple booking option. Within a month, she wasn’t just booking more shoots—she was charging higher rates. Why? Because her website made her look established. Clients trusted her more. They weren’t haggling. They were clicking “Book Now.”
A website says you’re serious
When clients see only a social profile, they might think, “Cool, but are they new? Do they do this full-time? Are they reliable?” A website clears all that up. It says, “Yep, I take this seriously. This isn’t just a side hustle.”
And honestly, that perception alone can bump your rates. Clients expect to pay more when they see professionalism.
It doesn’t need to be complicated
Some freelancers avoid websites because they think it’s expensive or too techy. But it’s not 2010 anymore. You don’t need coding skills or a designer on retainer. Tools like Visitfolio.com make it super easy. You can set up a clean personal site with your portfolio, services, testimonials, even appointment booking—all in one place.
The best part? You control it. Algorithms can’t hide your work. Your site is always there, always working for you.
The freedom of owning your space
Social platforms feel temporary. A website feels permanent. It’s your little corner of the internet, your digital office. And once you have it, you don’t just wait for clients—you attract them.
That’s the real difference. Social profiles get you attention. A website gets you authority. And authority? That’s what lets you charge more, choose better clients, and actually grow instead of scrambling month to month.
Wrapping up
So yeah, keep your Instagram. Keep your LinkedIn. They’re great for networking and visibility. But don’t stop there. If you’re a freelancer and you want to earn more, be taken seriously, and stop dealing with lowball offers—build a personal website.
It doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be yours. A place where clients can see your work, trust your story, and book you without hesitation.
And if you don’t wanna mess around with complicated setups, Visitfolio.com is worth checking out. Think of it as your résumé, portfolio, and booking assistant rolled into one. Simple, professional, and—most importantly—yours.
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