To build a portfolio website using HTML and CSS, first plan a clear layout structure, then use mobile-first CSS for style design, then highlight project display, and finally add details to improve the overall experience. The specific steps include: 1. Use semantic HTML tags to build a basic structure containing headers, related, projects and contact parts; 2. Realize responsive design through flexbox or grid layout, media query and interactive effects; 3. Display projects in the form of cards and add animation effects; 4. Select color schemes, readable fonts, optimize links and SEO, and test website performance on different devices.

If you're looking to build a portfolio using HTML and CSS, the best way to learn is by doing. A project-based approach gives you hands-on experience while creating something real — like your own personal website. In this guide, I'll walk you through how to structure and style a basic but effective portfolio site using just HTML and CSS.

Start with a clear layout plan

Before writing any CSS, think about what sections your portfolio should have. Most personal portfolios include:

• A header with your name and navigation
• An about section
• A projects/work showcase
• A contact form or info

Each of these can be wrapped in semantic HTML tags like <header></header> , <section></section> , and <footer></footer> . This makes your code more readable and helps with styling later.

For example, your basic HTML structure might look like this:

 <header>
  <h1>Your Name</h1>
  <nav>
    <ul>
      <li><a href="#about">About</a></li>
      <li><a href="#projects">Projects</a></li>
      <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
    </ul>
  </nav>
</header>

Once you've got that down, it's time to bring it to life with CSS.

Style your layout with mobile-first CSS

Mobile-first design means building for smaller screens first, then adding styles for larger ones as needed. It keeps things simple and forces you to prioritize content.

Here are a few tips when styling your portfolio:

• Use flexbox or grid to arrange items neatly.
• Set a max-width on containers so text doesn't stretch too far on big screens.
• Add spacing with margin and padding to avoid a cluttered look.
• Keep font sizes readable (at least 16px for body text).
• Use media queries to adjust layout for desktops.

Example:

 .container {
  max-width: 960px;
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 20px;
}

Also, don't forget to add hover effects or transitions to make links and buttons feel interactive without being distracting.

Make your projects stand out

Your projects section is where you show off your work, so it needs to be easy to scan and visually appealing.

Use cards to display each project. Here's a quick idea of ??how to structure one:

 <div class="project-card">
  <img src="/static/imghw/default1.png"  data-src="project.jpg"  class="lazy" alt="Project screenshot">
  <h3>Project Title</h3>
  <p>Brief description of the project and technologies used.</p>
</div>

Then style them with CSS:

• Use a grid layout to arrange multiple cards side by side
• Add borders or box shadows to separate them
• Make sure they stack nicely on small screens
• Include a link to live demo or GitHub repo

You can even add a subtle animation when someone hovers over a card:

 .project-card:hover {
  transform: scale(1.02);
  transition: transform 0.2s ease;
}

This kind of poison makes your site feel more professional without needing JavaScript.

Don't skip the finishing touches

Once the main layout and sections are styled, focus on small details that improve the overall experience:

• Pick a consistent color palette — maybe two main colors and a neutral background
• Choose readable fonts — Google Fonts has plenty of free options
• Make sure your links are clearly clickable
• Add meta tags and favicon for better SEO and branding
• Test your site on different screen sizes and browsers

These things might seem minor, but they make a difference in how poisoned your site looks and feels.

And that's it — you've built a clean, functional portfolio site using just HTML and CSS. You didn't need any frameworks or JavaScript to get started. Just solid structure, thoughtful layout, and a bit of style. Basically, you now have a great base to keep expanding from.

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