I think we’re all over-complicating personal websites in 2026
Source: Dev.to
And it’s hurting builders more than helping
Yes, I’m serious. Let’s talk.
The Problem
Most portfolios and personal websites in 2026 are doing way too much:
- Too many pages.
- Less clarity than ever.
We’re building personal sites like they’re startups, but they’re supposed to answer very simple questions:
- What do you do?
- Are you good at it?
- Can I trust you?
- How do I contact you?
Instead, we get:
- 3D animations that lag on mobile
- 6‑page portfolios no one finishes
- “About me” essays longer than SaaS landing pages
- Tech stacks flexed harder than the actual work
What Works
The best personal websites right now feel boring — and that’s why they work:
- One page.
- No vibes, just signal.
From designers, developers, and indie hackers I’ve seen win:
- If someone needs more than 60 seconds to “get you,” you’ve already lost them.
- Numbers, outcomes, screenshots, timelines > adjectives.
- People care how you think, not how smooth your hover state is.
- Raw progress logs beat fake success stories every time.
My Theory
- Twitter rewards aesthetics.
- Dribbble rewards visuals.
- LinkedIn rewards storytelling.
But real buyers reward clarity.
Advice
We’re optimizing for the wrong audience—we design for other builders. “Personal branding” advice has gone too far. Not everyone needs:
- A narrative arc
- A content strategy
- A color‑psychology breakdown
- A logo for their own name
Some people just need:
“Here’s what I do. Here’s proof. Let’s work.”
That’s enough. Complexity may work in niche cases, but it’s the exception, not the rule.
Discussion
- Do you think portfolios are over‑designed in 2026?
- Have complex sites ever helped you win work?
- What’s the simplest personal website you’ve seen recently?
- Are we building for people… or for other developers?
Drop your honest take in the comments. I’m more interested in disagreement than agreement.