The step-by-step process of customizing a website template to reflect your personal brand, including content updates, styling changes, and functionality enhancements.
Starting with a template is like moving into a furnished apartment—it's functional, but it doesn't feel like home until you make it your own. The same principle applies to websites.
Every customization project begins with a solid foundation. In this case, it was a clean, professional template that provided the structure we needed. The key is choosing a template that aligns with your vision, not trying to force something that doesn't fit.
Before touching any code, we focused on the content. What story did we want to tell? What information was most important? This content-first approach ensures that the design serves the message, not the other way around.
This is where the magic happens. We replaced generic placeholder text with authentic personal stories. Instead of "Lorem ipsum," we had real experiences from renewable energy to diamond trading. The difference is palpable—visitors can feel when content is genuine.
The technical changes were surprisingly straightforward:
The most impactful changes weren't visual—they were functional. Adding the Google Sheets integration to the contact form transformed a basic form into a powerful lead generation tool. It's these behind-the-scenes improvements that make the biggest difference.
One of the biggest challenges in customization is maintaining consistency across all pages. Every element—from navigation to footer—needs to reflect the same brand identity. It's the small details that create a professional impression.
What started as a generic template became a unique digital space that authentically represents the person behind it. The website now tells a story, showcases skills, and creates opportunities—exactly what a professional portfolio should do.
The lesson here is simple: templates are tools, not solutions. The real work happens in the customization process, where you transform something generic into something uniquely yours.