Your Web Portfolio

do you put businesses no long running...

[fashezee]

We all know that creditability goes a long way when trying to close a web contract. A long list of well
designed and developed sites in your portfolio can add to your creditability.

When a company that you created a good quality website for goes out of business; should you keep them in your portfolio? Can this hurt your creditability?

[Llama]

I tend to believe that it won't hurt your credability, but you should remove the link anyway. Some people will want to visit every site you have in your portfolio, to be able to better comprehend your talents.

[vkaryl]

Hmm. I don't agree. If what your portfolio is trying to do is to exhibit your creativity under various types of site-situations, a simple notice that "Widgets by Blue" is no longer in business should cover you, and still allow people to view your creative solution to that company's widget-exhibit....

[storevalley]

"Widgets by Blue" is no longer in business should cover you ...

So long as you don't admit to helping with their marketing ;)

[vkaryl]

*laughing* Yah.... but then I don't DO marketing (except for self....)

[Llama]

If you have more than 10 other good things that you could put in your portfolio to replace it, if it's down, then I'd say that you probably should. Unless you have a full-screen screenshot of a magnificent thing that's just a beautiful layout/logo in every way.

[vkaryl]

I tend to view this in the same light as a writer who uses in her portfolio works of hers which are no longer in print; or an artist whose portfolio includes works which have been sold and are no longer in the public purview.

There's really no reason NOT to use a no-longer-in-business site in your portfolio. Unless the owner of said defunct business actually retains ownership of the design (could happen, I suppose.)

[Llama]

Vkaryl, nice thinking. Put it in better perspective for me :)

Thanks.