Tips for Creating a Professional Website

Oh, my GAAD! It's finally here! For those not aware, today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day aka GAAD. Here are 10 easy ways you can take action to make progress in accessibility and disability inclusion. It's OK not to do it all. The key is progress over perfection. Make progress every day. It's possible you'll go backward. It happens. Dust off and try again. It took me a bit of time to make things a habit, such as alt text, describing myself, and saying "This is Meryl speaking." If you forget, fix it and give yourself a little grace. If you see someone forget, educate them and give them grace. Pick one or two things. Practice them more than once. When you feel like you have them down, pick the next one or two things. Progress over perfection. Add image descriptions to images and describe them in context. The key is to be descriptive yet concise. There is no one right way to do it. Just start doing it. "This is [your name]" when you speak on a group call. Someone may be listening rather than watching. Create a transcript for your most important or next podcast or audio clip. It's important to format the transcript by creating short paragraphs. It's hard to read a big block of text. Add accurate plain captions to your most important or next video. Refer to the caption cheat sheet for more on this. Offer at least two modern communication options. This applies everywhere. You can require people to fill out the contact field on a form as long as you give them choices (email, phone, text). Websites need to provide two modern contact options. A fax number and snail mail don't count, y'all. Capitalize the first letter of each word and abbreviations in hashtags and usernames. It helps to do this for URLs, too. But some URLs may be case-sensitive. Test the URL. Use a free tool to check color contrast on your content and images. A lot of websites use poor color choices for the background and the text. It adds friction to the reading experience. Avoid ALL CAPS in all content because it has no visual shape and feels like yelling. Sentence case is the most readable. Add a blank line between paragraphs to improve readability. Avoid abusing emojis 👎 like👎 this 👎nightmare. Screenreaders describe the emoji. And it can be hard to read a sentence with emojis showing up in between words. Take action today! Accessibility isn’t just a checkbox. It’s a commitment. Start with one step, make it a habit, and keep moving forward. Let’s build a world where everyone matters. Drop a comment with the action you’re taking today! Need guidance? I offer speaking and coaching to help organizations create accessible workplaces, products, and services. Let’s connect! P.S. Thanks to the American Red Cross for having me as today's keynote and prioritizing accessibility! 🔔 Tap the profile bell for more. ➡️ Follow #MerylMots to find content. #GAAD #Communication

If your website isn’t driving engagement, attracting clients, or positioning you as a trusted authority, chances are it’s missing one thing: valuable content. A static website is just an online brochure - it sits there, waiting to be found. But when you add useful, well-researched content, it transforms into a powerful business development tool. Here’s how to do it right: 1. Build a Strategy That Works: Great content doesn’t happen by accident. Your plan should align with your audience’s needs, your expertise, and your resources (time, people, and budget). A content calendar keeps you consistent, so you’re always top of mind. 2. Prioritize Research-Driven Content: Opinion pieces can be interesting, but data-backed insights and original research build credibility. If you want your content to get shared, bookmarked, and cited, focus on providing real value such as new information, deep expertise, and actionable takeaways. 3. Use Multiple Formats to Reach More People: Not everyone consumes content the same way. Some people prefer in-depth articles, while others engage with videos, podcasts, or infographics. Repurpose your best ideas across different formats to maximize reach and impact. 4. Curate, But Add Your Expertise: Sharing industry news, expert interviews, and event takeaways is a smart way to add value—but don’t just repost. Layer in your own insights to make it meaningful for your audience. Thoughtful curation strengthens your brand as a go-to resource. 5. Never Publish Without Editing: Typos and unclear messaging can hurt your credibility. Take the extra step to review your work (or have someone else do it) before publishing. Professionalism matters. 6. Publish With Purpose: A great piece of content means nothing if no one sees it. Optimize your posts with search-friendly URLs, embed videos strategically, and make sure everything is easy to find. Then, share it where your audience is - on LinkedIn, in email newsletters, and beyond. Content builds trust, and trust leads to business. If your website isn’t actively helping you attract opportunities, it’s time to rethink your content approach. Done right, it can position you as the go-to expert in your industry. Let me know what you think of these tips in the comments below! #contentmarketing #personalbranding #legalmarketing #bestadvice

I’ve fixed CTAs on 100s of B2B sites—and when they fail, it's rarely because they’re vague. It’s something sneakier: They feel like work. Here are the 5 mistakes I see the most: (and what to do instead) 1. They promise effort, not relief ❌ “Start building for free” ✅ “See your data in one click” 2. They look like a chore, not a time-saver ❌ “Plan your next campaign today” ✅ “Steal our proven campaign blueprint” 3. They push action, not pull desire ❌ “View plans” ✅ “Find the right plan“ 4. They trigger resistance, not curiosity ❌ “Request a demo” ✅ “See it in action” 5. They scream commitment, not quick win ❌ “Request access” ✅ “Get early access” It’s not about what the button says. It’s about how it feels to click it. And people don’t click when it feels like a commitment. They click when it feels like a win.

Accessibility should be seen as necessary, mandatory, and crucial. Here are 8 tips for Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Before I dive into these simple tips, let’s quickly learn about GAAD. The main purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking, and learning about digital access and inclusion, and the 1 Billion+ people with disabilities. GAAD is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May, so this year it's on May 15th (today!). A disabled person should be able to experience the internet, apps, social media, and all digital spaces like anyone else, but unfortunately, many websites and digital spaces are still inaccessible. So here are 8 easy tips for digital accessibility: 1. Color Contrast Accessible content generally has high contrast between the background and text colors, which makes it easier to read. For example, using a black background with white text will be accessible for most people. There are exceptions to this guidance as those with colorblindness and conditions like Irlen Syndrome may have other needs. 2. Closed Captions When hosting virtual meetings, always provide closed captions. Also, provide captions for content that you produce online. Please provide fully accurate captions instead of relying on automatically-generated ones. 3. Image Descriptions (IDs) Write IDs to help blind and low vision people learn what an image looks like. This is especially important when an image conveys information, such as an event flyer. You can add IDs within a post or in the comments. 4. Audio Description (AD) Audio description is helpful for those with vision disabilities. AD describes visual content in enough detail so that people don't miss out on information. Include AD in videos and verbally describe images in presentations. 5. Transcripts Transcripts are wonderful for business because they allow you to improve your SEO rankings since your audio or video content has been turned into words. Transcripts also help make content accessible for the D/deaf and hard of hearing, those with other disabilities, and more. 6. Label Buttons Unlabeled buttons on apps and websites create access issues. This is very important for screen reader users. Each user needs to be able to easily determine what a button does and also find the buttons. 7. Pascal Case Hashtags Capitalize each word within a hashtag to ensure a screen reader can understand it. Example: #DisabilityAwareness 8. Include Diverse Images Many times, disabled people don't see themselves represented in the world. This is especially true for disabled people of color. Use diverse images in media representation, advertisements, images on social media, and more. Did you know about Global Accessibility Awareness Day? Will you use these tips? cc: GAAD (Global Accessibility Awareness Day) Foundation PS: For more accessibility tips, check out my free accessibility ebook (linked at the top of my profile)! #Accessibility #GAAD

If your website still says "serving individuals and families," stop scrolling. Your clients aren't "individuals and families." They're CEOs, equity comp recipients, retiring execs, and business owners. They have specific problems meaning generic messaging doesn't cut it. Nobody is searching for "a comprehensive financial plan from someone who serves families." They're asking ChatGPT: - How do I sell RSU's without a massive tax bill? - How do I sell a business and not screw it up? - How do I transfer wealth without creating a family drama? Your marketing should sound like you actually solve those problems. If your copy could live on 10,000 other advisor websites, that's not branding. That's blah. Here are 4 tips for better website copy: 1. Lead with the problem. Use headlines that reflect what your ideal clients are worried about. 2. Ditch the "we help everyone" language. Be specific about who you serve and what problems you solve. 3. Mirror their words. Use phrasing your clients would actually search for. 4. Add proof. Client stories, outcomes, and process snapshots make your expertise tangible. If a prospect landed on your site today, would they know who you help and how?

Tired of employers not seeing your value? The "Portfolio Strategy" will fix that (in 7 simple steps): [Context] Companies hire people for one reason: They believe they'll bring the most value to the role. Resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn are traditional ways to illustrating that value. But they're not the best. If you're struggling to see results with them? You need a portfolio. 1. Choose Your Platform First, choose the place where you'll host your content. I recommend a place that: - Allows you to create the way you want - Maximizes your visibility If you're job searching, it's tough to beat LinkedIn. Medium is another solid option. 2. Identify Your Target Companies Next, brainstorm your list of target companies. You're going to be researching them and creating value that's directly tied to their goals, challenges, and vision. I recommend starting with 3-5. Bonus points if they're in the same industry. 3. Align Your Projects Start with one company. Research the heck out of it from a high level. Then dive deeper into researching the specific product and team you're targeting. Your goal is to identify: - Goals -Challenges - Initiatives Learn as much as you can about them. 3a. Align Your Projects (Examples) Marketer? Perform site audits and recommend 3 ways for companies to get more leads. Software Engineer? QA your favorite apps / tools to identify bugs or improvements. Graphic Designer? Refresh the branding for your favorite products. 4. Map Out The Process Start with your methodology: Why this company / product? Break down your research, brainstorming, and solution process. Find and include reputable data. Project outcomes / ROI if you can. Finally, make a compelling case. Don’t just summarize, sell! 5. Show Your Work Now turn that process into content! Write up a "case study" showing: - The problem / opportunity - How you identified it - Your solution(s) - How you came up with them - The process for implementing them When it's ready, hit publish! 6. Share Your Work Now your case study is out in the world! First, add it to your LinkedIn featured section. Next, break it down into bite sized pieces of content. Start writing posts around: - Your research process - Your solutions process - Insights you came across - Etc 7. Systematize It This works best when you consistently work at it. Create a daily schedule and commit to it. Before you know it, you’ll have a body of work that includes *real* results and clearly illustrates your value. That’s going to get you hired!

Your portfolio might be missing these underrated elements. Most people focus on polished case studies and pretty visuals. But what actually makes a recruiter pause and think “I want to talk to this person” are the things you don’t usually see. Here are 4 to start adding. 1️⃣ Show your decision trade-offs Don’t just show the final design. Show the fork in the road. What options did you consider, and why did you choose the one you did? Side-by-side screenshots + a short explanation = proof of your critical thinking. 2️⃣ Highlight collaboration moments Portfolios often read like solo projects, but hiring managers want to see you as a teammate. Call out where a PM, dev, or researcher’s input shifted the outcome. Add a quick “before & after” to show the impact of collaboration. 3️⃣ Call out constraints Great design isn’t created in a vacuum. Were you working under a tight deadline? Legacy tech? Limited resources? Own it. Explain how you adapted your solution within the real-world boundaries. That’s what makes your work practical and credible. 4️⃣ Add a “What I’d do differently” section Reflection shows growth. Wrap up each case study with 2–3 quick bullets: what worked, what you’d approach differently, and what you learned. It signals self-awareness without undermining your work. These details don’t just show your work, they show how you work. Now, let’s turn this into a community resource 👇 If you’ve got a portfolio you’re proud of (or one in progress!), drop it in the comments so we can start building a list for visibility and inspiration!

Tiny details in your portfolio—and what they tell me At UX studio, I’ve hired many designers and reviewed thousands of portfolios over the years. Today, even the smallest details can tell me a lot about who you are as a designer and how you approach your work. Let me show you what I mean: 🚩 You send a portfolio with too many, irrelevant projects—This tells me that you either didn’t do your research on our company, or worse, you don’t know how to prioritize. I’m not looking for quantity; I’m looking for quality and relevance. 👍 You have a domain—When you send over a portfolio with yourname.com, it tells me you take your work and personal brand seriously. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about your professionalism. 🚩 You send a PDF portfolio—My first impression is that you’re not aware of the trends, or you don’t know how to create a website in 2024. (If that’s the case, get started with UXfolio, you’ll see how easy it actually is.) 👍 You mention other people in your team—It says that you’re a team player. In our field, collaboration is key, and working well with others is non-negotiable. 🚩 Your case study process is too polished—If all your projects follow the same textbook-perfect structure, it tells me that you might not have real-world experience. Real projects are messy, collaborative, and complex. 👍 You show iterations—Showing the evolution of your designs, including initial sketches, wireframes, and prototypes tells me that you took many factors into consideration before ending up with a nice, flashy UI. 🚩 Your writing is ambiguous—Unfinished sentences, typos, and grammar mistakes all tell me that you don’t pay attention to details. Communication is a huge part of what we do, and if it’s hard to understand your work, it’s going to be hard to work with you. 👍 Your portfolio has a unique perspective—It tells me you have creativity and passion and you will not end up with generic, uninspired designs. While the red flags in a portfolio make me cautious, I always give candidates a chance to prove my first impression wrong. However, it’s helpful to know what the tiny parts of your portfolio say about you and your work. Anything to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!

Want to build a UX portfolio that actually gets you interviews? It starts with a strong case study. I created this simple outline for one of my mentorship clients, but it was too good not to share. If you’re a UX or product designer on the job hunt, this can help you tell your story clearly, show your impact, and stand out from the crowd. Here’s the case study formula I recommend (plus a few tips to make yours even stronger): 🔹 Background/Context: What was the project about? What was your role? Timeline? 👉 Tip: Keep this to 3–4 sentences. Add a visual of the final product. 🔹 The Problem: What problem were you solving, and why did it matter? 👉 Tip: 1–2 clear sentences. Bonus points for "before" screenshots or user quotes. 🔹 Discovery: How did you get up to speed? 👉 Tip: Share your research highlights and key findings. Show evidence of collaboration with your team and stakeholders. 🔹 Design & Iteration: How did you approach the design? 👉 Tip: Include early sketches, whiteboard sessions, and messy Figma explorations — it shows your thought process. 🔹 Testing (+ more iteration): Who did you share your designs with, and what did you learn? 👉 Tip: Summarize the feedback you got and how you incorporated it. 🔹 Impact/Outcomes: What happened because of your work? 👉 Tip: Even if the product didn’t ship, focus on what you learned, how you moved it forward, and what impact you had. A few key reminders: MAKE IT SCANNABLE. Use visuals, headings, and type hierarchy to guide people through. Tell a story. Move through your project step by step so it’s easy to follow. Be selective. You don’t need to show everything you did — just enough to show the problem, your thinking, and the outcome. Hope this helps someone out there polishing their portfolio! If you want the full template (including extra tips), feel free to DM me — happy to share. 🚀 [EDIT:] I'm so glad y'all are loving this! if we're not connected, please include a note in your connection request so I can send the full template your way. Cheers! #uxdesign #productdesign #portfolio #uxcareer

93% of Junior UX portfolios I see don't do this. 😔 👇 ↳ Reflect Real-World Problem Solving: → Many portfolios show beautiful interfaces but fail to show the designer's process of solving problems that matter. 💡 Pro tip: If you're new to UX, don't use bootcamp or school projects only. Get freelance or hackathon work as case studies. ↳ Have Personal Branding: → Many UXers don't give enough background on themselves. Companies hire you, not your 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨. ↳ Showcase Collaboration and Feedback: → It's rare to see a designer's ability to: ✅ Work on a team ✅ Articulate their working process ✅ Show their design changes based on feedback ↳ Show the Research Process: → The best case studies tend to: ✅ Showcase qualitative and quantitative data to back their designs ✅ Incorporate their insights into their solutions ↳ Show Empathy and Understanding: → I've noticed many junior designers have zero context to their users and the business in their case studies. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯: → Don't demonstrate their problem-solving process → Don't tell me why they did what they did and why it matters → Don't explain why their solutions help users and the business 🥇 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: ☑ Craft a compelling story for your case studies that don't bore your reader to death ☠️. ☑ Show the results: what went wrong, what went right and what did you learn? ☑ Show how you've worked with others and leveraged feedback in your designs. ☑ Show your research process, how you gathered and interpreted data, and why it informed your design decisions. ☑ Articulate what problems you tackled and why. Show your thought process and how your design solves these issues effectively. ☑ Please for heaven's sake, get a real portfolio website. In this competitive market Dribbble sites, Behance sites, PDFs, and Figma files are not enough. ✨ Portfolios are hard to maintain and even harder to grow, but if you care about your UX career they are worth it. --- PS: What's stopping you from finishing your portfolio? Follow me, John Balboa. I swear I'm friendly and I won't detach your components.