Create a Portfolio website with No-Code and Free Hosting with custom domain

How to Create and Host a Stunning Portfolio Website in Hours—No Coding Required

In 2024, launching a professional static portfolio website is easier than ever, thanks to no-code tools and AI technology. This guide is highly useful for non-technical professionals and students who want a beautiful and customizable portfolio website without delving into the complexities of coding or self-hosting. By using platforms like Webflow and AI-powered design tools, you can build a high-quality static site in just a few hours, with no coding skills needed. Here's a quick summary of the steps to create and host your portfolio website:

1. Choose a no-code platform (Webflow)
2. Design sitemap and wireframe using AI tools (Relume.io)
3. Build your website in Webflow
4. Export your website code for free (using Webflow Exporter)
5. Host your website for free with a custom domain (e.g., Netlify)
6. (Optional) Export with CMS content using Udesly

This process allows you to create a professional portfolio website without coding skills, utilizing AI-powered design tools and free hosting services.

Step 1: Choose Your No-Code Platform

Selecting the right no-code platform is crucial for building and exporting your website. Consider using Webflow for a free solution. Although Webflow doesn’t allow code export for free, it supports various tools and plugins that simplify the design process.

A notable benefit of Webflow is its compatibility with the Relume and Figma plugins. To extract code from Webflow, use the Webflow Exporter, a free tool that allows you to download HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets without the Webflow badge.

Step 2: Design Your Sitemap and Wireframe with AI

If templates don’t meet your needs, leverage AI tools to create a custom design. Start by generating your website’s sitemap and wireframe using Relume.io. This AI tool creates a detailed wireframe that you can easily customize to suit your vision.

For design and prototyping, use Figma. Import the Relume library into Figma and install the Relume plugin to integrate your wireframe seamlessly.

Step 3: Build Your Website on the No-Code Platform

With your Figma design ready, recreate it in Webflow. You can use crash courses to learn Webflow or utilize the Relume library for Webflow to import your design. Note that the Relume Webflow plugin requires a paid subscription but facilitates direct integration of your wireframe into Webflow.

For those who prefer a free solution, you can use the 7-day trial for the Relume library, clone the styles and components into Webflow, and complete your design within this period.

Step 4: Export Your Webflow Website Code for Free

After building your site in Webflow, publish it under a Webflow domain. Then, use Webflow Exporter —a tool designed specifically for Webflow projects—to extract and download your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and assets at no cost.

Step 5: Host Your Website for Free with a Custom Domain

Several free static hosting services are available, including GitHub Pages, Netlify, AWS S3, and Cloudflare Pages. Netlify stands out as an excellent choice due to its generous storage limits and seamless GitHub integration. Simply drag and drop your unzipped website files into Netlify, and your site will go live with built-in versioning support.

Step 6: Exporting with CMS Content (Optional)

If you've used Webflow's CMS features and want to export your site with dynamic content, there's an additional step. While Webflow doesn't offer free CMS exports, you can use a third-party tool called Udesly. This plugin can convert your Webflow site, including CMS content, into a Jamstack-compatible format. Importantly, Udesly offers a one-time, lifetime subscription.

Here's how it works:

• Export your Webflow site as a zip file
• Use the Udesly plugin to convert the Webflow export into a Jamstack format
• Upload the converted files to a Git repository (e.g., GitHub)
• Connect your repository to Netlify for free hosting

This method allows you to maintain dynamic content while still benefiting from free hosting on Netlify. The one-time, lifetime subscription of Udesly ensures you can continue using this solution without recurring costs, though some advanced features may require additional payments.

For Non-Technical Students Who Want Highly Customizable Portfolios

This guide is perfect for non-technical professionals and students who want a beautiful and customizable portfolio website but don’t want to dive into the complexities of coding or self-hosting and want to do it for free. By using tools like Webflow and AI-powered design platforms, you can create a polished website without technical knowledge.

However, if you’re from a computer science or technical background, self-hosting could offer greater flexibility and control while avoiding vendor lock-in. This approach allows you to fully own your hosting environment, enabling deeper customization and optimization based on your preferences. It’s especially beneficial if you're aiming to solidify your understanding of web fundamentals and enhance your site's security.