What You Need Before You Build Your Acting Website: The Ultimate Checklist 🎭💻
- Taryn McManus
- May 1
- 4 min read
From one actor to another—I know how daunting designing your website can be. Whether you're going the DIY route or hiring a web designer, there's nothing more frustrating than realizing you're missing key materials halfway through the process. Luckily, my background in web design and branding has given me a clear roadmap—and I'm here to share it with you. Let's make this simple and stress-free.
Before you approach a designer or open up that Wix Tab, use this checklist to get your materials in order. Think of your website as your digital stage—it should be professional, personal, and polished.
✅ Bare Minimum Essentials (Don’t build your site without these!)
These are the foundational materials every actor needs to get their website up and running. Without these, you simply won’t have enough content to build a strong, professional presence.
🎭 Performance Materials
1–2 Professional Headshots (High-res, web-optimized)
Your Primary Reel (Hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or a fast-loading player)
3–4 Full Scene Clips (Diverse in tone and type, showing range)
PDF Resume (Updated, clean format, with credits in reverse chronological order)
📝 Written Copy
About Me Bio (Short + punchy: 150–300 words. Include training, unique background, and a personal touch.)
Contact Info (Either a direct email address or a contact form—make it easy for agents, CDs, and collaborators to reach you.)
Credits or Projects List (Optional but helpful: can be a summary of notable roles or recent work)
📱 Social Links (Optional, but strongly recommended)
Instagram, IMDb, Actors Access, Backstage, or any professional portfolio/profile links (Make sure these are consistent and up to date.)
🌟 Bonus Material / "Extra Goodies" (These elevate your site!)
Once you have the basics down, these bonus materials can really bring your site to life and set you apart. They help add personality, credibility, and versatility to your digital presence.
🎥 Additional Media
Alternate Reels
Voiceover Reel
Commercial Reel
Theatrical/Comedy/Drama-specific edits
More Full Scenes (Especially helpful if you play a range of characters or work in multiple genres.)
Monologue Clips (For theater-focused actors or showcasing classical work.)
📸 Visual Enhancements
Additional Headshots (Character types, lifestyle shots, theatrical vs. commercial)
On-Set or Behind-the-Scenes Photos (Candid or professional photos from recent gigs.)
Production Stills or Posters (If you're in a notable project, this adds credibility and visual interest.)
📰 Professional Highlights
Press or Interviews (If you've been featured in an article, podcast, or review—link it!)
Blog or News Section (Share updates, reflections, or BTS from current projects.)
💼 Branding Extras
Professional Logo or Wordmark (If you have one)
Color Palette / Personal Branding Guide (If you're working with a designer)
Testimonials or Quotes (From directors, coaches, collaborators—adds social proof.)
A Final Tips 💡
Think of your website like your digital business card + portfolio. It's not just a place to dump materials—it’s a chance to tell your story and showcase your range in a clean, user-friendly way. And if you're working with a designer, having this checklist complete means less back-and-forth, faster turnaround, and a better final result.
You've got the talent—let your site reflect it.
💻 Doing It Yourself? Here's What You’ll Need
If you’re rolling up your sleeves and building your site on your own—first of all, kudos! It’s totally doable (and even kind of fun) when you have the right tools on your side. Once you’ve gathered all the materials from the checklist above, these platforms and resources can help you bring your vision to life—without needing a degree in web development.
If you’re going the DIY route, I highly recommend Wix. It’s an easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder that gives you tons of creative control without needing to know code. There are a wide range of templates to choose from—including a few I’ve designed myself—and their customer support is genuinely excellent. With your subscription, you also get access to built-in email marketing tools, which is perfect for sending updates about new projects or reels. It’s a powerful, all-in-one platform that’s ideal for actors who want a polished, customizable site without the tech headache.
Whether you're looking to refresh your brand color scheme or simply in search of some color based inspiration, this is my go-to tool. With its superfast palettes generator and seamless integration with design platforms, crafting stunning visuals has never been easier.
Speed up your reel, audition, and video editing process with CapCut! I've cut down my editing time significantly (like more than half) with CapCut, and you can too. With easy shortcut keys and innovate tools, CapCut makes me a video editing pro.
To keep your online presence consistent, I use a Planoly that lets me effortlessly schedule posts weeks in advance, while previewing my prospective feed. It helps me post scenes and updates regularly, stay on brand, and focus more on creating instead of scrambling for what to post next.
📘 SEO Cheat Sheet for Actors An actor-friendly, no-jargon guide to help you show up on Google without becoming a tech expert. Learn simple, actionable steps to boost your visibility and make your site work harder for you.
📝 Actor Journal Prompts 40 blog prompts designed to help actors write with heart and strategy. Great for building connection, showcasing your process, and improving SEO—without sounding robotic.
📧 How to Build a Profitable Email List A step-by-step guide for busy creatives and entrepreneurs who want to grow and monetize their email list without the overwhelm. Includes strategy tips, do’s & don’ts, a welcome email template, and an analytics cheat sheet to help turn subscribers into paying customers.
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