Building a Personal Website in 2026

Why Build a Personal Website?

In an age of social media platforms and ready-made profiles, you might wonder why anyone would build their own website. For me, it comes down to ownership and expression.

A personal website is:

• Your space: No algorithms, no character limits, no platform rules
• A portfolio: Showcase your work on your terms
• A learning opportunity: Practice and experiment with new technologies

The Tech Stack Decision

After considering several options, I settled on:

1. Next.js: Server-side rendering, great developer experience
2. MDX: Write content in Markdown with React components
3. Tailwind CSS: Rapid styling with utility classes

This combination offers flexibility without complexity.

Design Philosophy

I wanted something that stands out. Too many developer portfolios look the same – minimal, monochrome, safe. I chose:

• Bold gradients: Violet to fuchsia primary, cyan to emerald secondary
• Strong typography: Clear hierarchy, readable at any size
• Visual accents: Subtle animations and hover effects

Key Takeaways

1. Start simple and iterate
2. Content structure matters as much as design
3. Dark mode is expected, not optional
4. Performance impacts user experience significantly

The result is something I'm proud to put my name on.