Adobe’s Portfolio Website has a distinct lack of features & customizability. That’s not a negative, it's just why I left. The website builder is straight forward and allows users to quickly develop a quality portfolio or CV resume to share amongst potential clients. A service apart of the Adobe subscription, and if you have one, I suggest you use it when it fits your needs.
But, What Should You Expect?
A responsive streamlined experience is what to expect. Having no blank canvas, you pick a template and fill it with your content. Yes, you are capable of editing the fonts from a designated list, backgrounds, and generic details. But otherwise you populate pages though sections, and each section is limited to text, image, or video.
I’m definitely over simplifying, but that’s the best way I can word the experience. Because, that’s kind of what I felt when using the service. I had a clean portfolio experience with a relatively decent product.
Where’s The Problem?
The same reason that makes the tool amazing. The simplification lands itself at a dead-end for expansion. Being said, Adobe’s Portfolio web-tool was not meant for being utilized for eCommerce, nor is it designed for extensive blogging. The tool is developed for end-user’s to quickly produce an efficient, and cohesive portfolio to present in job-opportunities.
To elaborate, why this tool fell from my use comes in the lack of customization. Lack of font choice, scripting, custom CSS blocks, and you can’t even export your site to a different platform. You are pigeon holed into a template with no choice of any blank canvas. Left with fewer options than most popular platforms. Nothing more or less.
Expanding a Product?
Furthering, the lack of store capability or third party implementation, frankly left it near improbable to utilize this as any form of eCommerce.
A work-around, involves placing individual buttons that link to a PayPal checkout page. But no way of developing a cart, order lists, or anything else you’d expect of an online shop experience. Embedding iFrame options are restricted, heavily!
The implemented restrictions are to streamline the creative process and to help maintain a clean experience. But provides no developing options for more adept creators. Which lends a challenge, demonstrating out of the box thinking.
A Creative Wall
Being a content creator is reaching new heights in popularity amongst the world. Being a creative influencer has become the dream job for many. Part of that job involves monetizing your content on multiple platforms. Scaling exclusive opportunities through merchandise or more direct involvement with the influencer.
Earlier I said eCommerce is improbable to develop using the webtool. This includes paywall pages password exclusives, account memberships, and more. Even if you were thinking of utilizing this platform for podcasts or e-book releases, the limitations are clear, and hard-walled.
A Good Tool, Just Not For Me
I’m not here to discourage or to trash talk a platform. This article has no ill-intent. What everything comes down to is the functionality a person is aiming to achieve. Adobe’s Portfolio Webtool did not meet my needs. I found the tool wonderful initially. But the boundaries of the platform became apparent as I scaled my operation. Take this opportunity to weigh in the pro’s and con’s for yourself.