From Placeholder Text to a Fully Iterative Portfolio and Blog — My Journey Toward a Better Online Presence
For the past year, my personal website, rsoemardja.com, has been, well, a placeholder. I’ve been so focused on other projects, especially career transitions and skill-building, that I didn’t give my own online portfolio and blog the attention it truly deserves. But it’s finally time to change that.
Here’s the thing: a personal website isn’t just a collection of pages—it’s a reflection of who I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going. As a developer, content creator, and aspiring entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize that my site needs to serve more than just the most basic function of having an online presence. It needs to showcase my work, communicate my journey, and reflect my evolving skills and experiences. So, I’ve decided to overhaul it. Here are some of the reasons why.
1. The “About” Page is a Placeholder—Literally
Let’s be honest: my About page is the epitome of “placeholder content.” For the past year, it’s just sat there, waiting for me to write a compelling, well-thought-out introduction. But every time I sit down to do it, I get stuck. I’ve always been so caught up in the technical side of things that I’ve neglected the personal side. How do I tell my story in a way that resonates with potential employers, collaborators, and readers?
It’s time to stop procrastinating and finally get my About page to where it should be—authentic, engaging, and a clear representation of who I am as both a developer and an individual.
2. Fixating on Projects But Never Dedicating Time to Them
One of the biggest things I’ve been fixating on is the “Projects” section of my website. It’s a key part of any portfolio, right? It’s where potential clients or employers can see what I’m capable of. But here’s the thing: I haven’t dedicated enough time to actually creating those projects. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, and I’ve let this section stagnate.
I’m going to dedicate time to showcasing my projects properly—whether that’s by finishing the ones I’ve started or by creating new ones that demonstrate my skills. And this time, it won’t be a half-baked collection of random things. It will be a well-thought-out portfolio that reflects my growth.
3. How Do People Contact Me, Anyway?
Another issue I’ve realized is that my contact page is, well, a mess. Or rather, there’s barely a contact page at all. It’s almost like I didn’t want anyone to actually reach out. But as a content creator and someone looking to network and collaborate, this is a major oversight.
I’ll be adding a proper contact page, with clear and easy ways for people to get in touch with me—whether it’s for job opportunities, collaboration, or just a friendly chat. After all, the goal is to be accessible and open to new opportunities!
4. No Archive for My Blog? Time to Fix That
I’ve been blogging for nearly a year now, and my website has been a great outlet for my thoughts and ideas. But there’s one glaring issue: there’s no archive. Anyone visiting my site can see my most recent posts, but if they want to dig deeper and explore the history of my content, they’re out of luck. That’s something I need to fix.
A proper blog archive will allow readers to easily browse through all my past content. Not only does this improve user experience, but it also helps with SEO. It’s time to organize my blog posts and give them the visibility they deserve.
5. From WordPress.com to WordPress.org: The Transition
Currently, my site is hosted on WordPress.com, and while it’s been a convenient starting point, it’s not going to cut it for the long haul. As my site grows, I’m going to need more customization, more flexibility, and more control over how things function. When my WordPress.com license ends, I plan to transition to WordPress.org.
This is a big step for me, and honestly, I’m excited. I’m looking forward to learning the ropes of self-hosting, and the thought of having full control over my site’s infrastructure is a huge motivator. It’s also a great skill to have as an aspiring content creator and entrepreneur. Plus, I can finally stop worrying about the limitations of WordPress.com and start using plugins and themes that truly align with my vision.
6. Iterative Development Over Perfection
One thing I’ve realized is that I’ve been stuck in a perfectionist mindset when it comes to my site. I’ve been waiting for the “perfect” moment to overhaul everything, but that moment never comes. Instead of trying to make everything perfect all at once, I’m going to embrace an iterative approach.
The plan is simple: I’ll start with the most urgent fixes—like improving the About page, setting up the project section, and making my blog archive visible—and then continue to refine the site as I go. This way, my website becomes a living, breathing entity that evolves alongside me, rather than something I only work on sporadically.
7. Getting Feedback and Critiques
Another crucial element to this overhaul is getting feedback from others. I can’t build an effective website in isolation. Whether it’s a fellow developer, a friend, or even a potential user, I want others to critique my site and offer suggestions. This will help me spot blind spots, improve the user experience, and make sure that my site is serving its intended purpose.
I’ll be reaching out to my network to gather feedback, and I plan on implementing an easy way for visitors to leave comments or suggestions directly on the site. It’s all about continuous improvement.
Addendum: Making It My Own — The Personal Take
One thing I’ve learned over the past year of working on my personal website is that, well, it’s mine. And that means it has to feel like me—not just in the way it looks, but in the way it reflects my growth, my struggles, and my triumphs. So, I’m committing to investing more time this week into this overhaul, not just to fix the issues I’ve outlined above, but to truly make this site Rama.
What does that mean, exactly? It means this overhaul is going to be more… me—less of the generic developer vibe and more of a personal touch that highlights what I’ve learned, where I’ve come from, and where I’m going. The content, the design, the feel—all of it will represent me more authentically. It’s time to strip away the placeholders and leave behind something that actually feels like a living, breathing reflection of my journey.
I don’t want this to just be a “portfolio website” that people glance at and quickly forget about. I want it to feel like a space where people can get a glimpse of my process, my quirks, and my evolving identity as a developer and content creator.
So, this week? I’m going to dig in, invest the necessary time, and bring this vision to life. It’s not just about adding pages and features, but about making this a place that feels real. No more rushing through things to meet deadlines or pulling content out of thin air. Instead, it’s about crafting something meaningful that I can stand behind, whether I’m sharing my latest project, writing a blog post, or just reflecting on my experiences.
And yes, I want it to be great. This is not just about functionality. This is about quality, authenticity, and iteration. Each update will be an improvement—making the site better and more aligned with my goals, but also making it more “me.” It’s going to be a journey, and I’m excited to see how it turns out. One step at a time.
Addendum: A Fun Future Project — Something That’s All Mine
Looking ahead, once I get my website overhaul in a solid place, I’ve been thinking about diving into something more fun—something that’s not just about work or portfolio pieces but something I truly enjoy. In the future, I’m planning on taking on a project that taps into my personal interests and tastes. This will be anything from a media-related project, something creative, or even a hobby-based endeavor that aligns more with what I like.
The idea is simple: I want to build something that excites me and lets me express my creativity in a way that feels genuine. It is anything from a new blog series about a passion of mine, a game project that ties into something I’ve been daydreaming about, or even a media project like a video series or podcast that speaks to my own interests.
The key here is that it’s going to be fun. Something that I look forward to working on, rather than feeling like another item on the to-do list. It’ll be something I can look back on and be proud of because it aligns with my tastes and showcases my personality.
It won’t just be about the end product; it’ll be about the process, too. I want to make sure this project allows me to grow, to learn new things, and to enjoy the journey. It’s about creating something that reflects me, not just my skills, but my unique perspective and passions. I can’t wait to start, and once I do, I’ll make sure to keep my website updated with progress, so it’s part of the ongoing story of my personal and professional growth.
Conclusion: Why This Overhaul is Essential for My Future
Overhauling my personal website isn’t just about fixing things that are broken—it’s about setting myself up for future success. As a developer, a content creator, and someone who is trying to make a name for themselves, my website is my most powerful tool. It’s the first impression people will have of me, and it needs to showcase not just my work, but also my personality, my journey, and my vision for the future.
This overhaul won’t happen overnight, but I’m excited to dive in and start making changes. I’ll be documenting the process as I go, so stay tuned for updates, lessons learned, and insights into how I’m improving my online presence. If you have any feedback or suggestions, feel free to reach out—let’s make this journey a collaborative one!