FREELANCE PORTFOLIO AUDIT CHECKLIST
====================================
From SoloStack — solostack.madethis.app
Free to download and use. No signup required.


HOW TO USE THIS CHECKLIST
--------------------------
Work through each section and check off the items you've completed.
Anything unchecked is a priority to fix before your next client pitch.

====================================
SECTION 1: ABOUT / BIO SECTION
====================================

[ ] Positioning statement in first 2 lines (who you help + what you do)
[ ] Professional photo (headshot, good lighting, approachable)
[ ] Clear list of specialties (3-5 specific skills, not a laundry list)
[ ] Short story or background (1-2 sentences on why you do this work)
[ ] No generic filler phrases ("I'm passionate about design," "I love helping clients")
[ ] Location or remote-friendly note included

====================================
SECTION 2: WORK SAMPLES
====================================

[ ] Minimum 3 portfolio pieces included (3 strong beats 10 mediocre)
[ ] Maximum 6 pieces total (curate ruthlessly — less is more)
[ ] At least 1 case study (not just screenshots — context + results)
[ ] Each piece includes: what you did, why you did it, what happened
[ ] Results are quantified where possible ("increased conversions by 23%")
[ ] Work samples are recent (within the last 2-3 years, ideally)
[ ] School-only samples removed or clearly labeled as student work
[ ] Each piece is named/titled (not "Project 1," "Project 2")

====================================
SECTION 3: SERVICES / PROCESS PAGE
====================================

[ ] Services are clearly listed (not vague — specific deliverables)
[ ] Your process is explained (what does it look like to hire you?)
[ ] Turnaround times or typical project lengths mentioned
[ ] What you DON'T do is implied or stated (sets clear expectations)

====================================
SECTION 4: TESTIMONIALS / SOCIAL PROOF
====================================

[ ] At least 1 testimonial included (name + company = much stronger)
[ ] Testimonials speak to results or transformation, not just "great to work with"
[ ] Client names are real and verifiable where possible
[ ] LinkedIn recommendations linked or referenced
[ ] Logos of past clients included (if permitted)

====================================
SECTION 5: CONTACT PAGE / CTA
====================================

[ ] Contact info is visible above the fold (email or contact form)
[ ] Clear call-to-action ("Book a discovery call," "Send me a project brief")
[ ] Response time set: "I reply within 24-48 hours"
[ ] Contact form works and sends to an email you actually check
[ ] No dead links on the contact page

====================================
SECTION 6: TECHNICAL / PERFORMANCE
====================================

[ ] Mobile-responsive (test on your phone — seriously, test it)
[ ] Page loads in under 3 seconds
[ ] Custom domain or clean URL (yourname.com, not notion.so/abc123xyz)
[ ] SSL certificate active (https://, not http://)
[ ] No broken image links
[ ] All external links open in a new tab
[ ] No under-construction pages visible


====================================
RED FLAGS TO REMOVE IMMEDIATELY
====================================

✗ Sample work from school only — with no professional or real-world context
✗ Portfolio pieces with no description of your role or the result
✗ Generic bio: "I'm passionate about design" tells nobody anything
✗ No contact info above the fold — make it impossible to miss
✗ Typos in your headline or bio (run Grammarly before launch)
✗ "Coming soon" sections that have been there for months
✗ Work you're not proud of — 3 great pieces >> 8 mediocre ones


====================================
GREEN LIGHTS — STRONG PORTFOLIO SIGNALS
====================================

✓ Specific niche mentioned in your headline
    (example: "UX designer for SaaS products")
✓ One-line specialization statement
    (example: "I help SaaS companies convert with UX copy")
✓ At least 1 testimonial with a real name and company
✓ 1+ case study with a before/after or measurable result
✓ Clear next step for potential clients (one CTA, not three)


====================================
QUICK WIN PRIORITIES
====================================

If your portfolio needs work, fix in this order:

1. Write a specific positioning statement (10 minutes)
2. Remove your worst pieces — keep only your best 3-6
3. Add measurable results to existing case studies
4. Add at least one testimonial (ask a past client this week)
5. Make your contact info visible on every page
6. Test on mobile — fix anything that looks broken


====================================
WANT MORE TEMPLATES LIKE THIS?
====================================

SoloStack has 50+ done-for-you business templates:
proposals, contracts, invoices, SOPs, and more.

Full library access: $19/month — solostack.madethis.app/products