Things you can do on your personal website

My website has evolved through a series of gradual improvements over time. During my free moments, I often find myself pondering: how can I enhance my website? Occasionally, an idea strikes me, igniting my enthusiasm, and I spend hours immersed in creating something that not only brings me joy but can also be shared with others. At other times, I might have the energy and motivation but struggle to brainstorm new concepts.

Recently, I’ve added new functionality to the site, including a feature that allows users to compile their own lists, as well as some personalized additions that have helped me enhance the overall user experience.

These ideas are a reflection of my personal experiences on the web and my diverse interests. This list serves as a creative outlet that I can turn to whenever I’m feeling stuck and wonder, “What can I do with my website today?”

Unlike those generic listicles floating around, these ideas come from actual websites I’ve visited and techniques I’ve personally tested. Some are straightforward, others more complex, but all will add character to your digital home.

Expression & Personalization

The focus is on uniquely expressing your personality through your website’s design and content. Personalization helps to create an emotional connection with your visitors, allowing them to see the person behind the site. Ideas like changing profile pictures based on the time of day or featuring a custom 404 page invite engagement and delight.

These enhancements make your site feel more alive, reflecting your experimentations and moods while also encouraging visitors to form a bond with your virtual space.

1. Create a profile picture that changes based on the time of day (morning coffee you, evening relaxed you)
2. Design a custom cursor that reflects your personality or field
3. Build a randomized header image that pulls from your photo collection
4. Add subtle seasonal themes that change automatically throughout the year
5. Create a “virtual bookshelf” showcasing what you’re currently reading
6. Design a custom 404 page that actually makes people smile
7. Share your Wordle or crossword streaks with auto-updates
8. Develop a digital trophy case for your achievements (no matter how small)
9. Create a “mood board” section that changes weekly
10. Add ambient sounds that match your site’s aesthetic (with volume controls!)

Content Worth Creating

Content is the heart of any website, and this section inspires you to produce meaningful and valuable material. Ideas here revolve around storytelling and documentation—whether that’s sharing a personal journey of learning or showcasing your favorite recipes.

By creating content that resonates with your experiences, you not only provide genuine insights but also invite visitors to connect with your unique narrative.

11. Document your journey learning something new with progressive updates
12. Write reviews of coffee shops with your personal rating system
13. Create a searchable database of your favorite recipes
14. Share detailed “day in the life” posts from different periods
15. Build a timeline of significant personal milestones
16. Develop guides to your hometown’s hidden gems
17. Curate and annotate a collection of your favorite quotes
18. Write retrospectives on past projects and what you learned
19. Create an evolving manifesto about your creative philosophy
20. Maintain a “failures resume” celebrating what didn’t work out

Technical Enhancements

Technical improvements enhance user experience, ensuring that visitors can navigate your site efficiently and effectively. Features like keyboard shortcuts, dark/light mode toggles, and accessibility options demonstrate your commitment to an inclusive and user-friendly site.

21. Add keyboard shortcuts for navigating your site
22. Implement a dark/light mode toggle that remembers preferences
23. Build a custom RSS feed categorized by topic
24. Create a search function that actually works well (Read how I implemented it here)
25. Add accessibility features like skip-to-content links
26. Optimize images with lazy loading for faster performance
27. Implement a readability slider that adjusts font size/spacing
28. Build interactive charts showing your posting frequency
29. Create a “related content” algorithm based on tags
30. Add estimated reading times to longer articles

For the Creatives

This section puts the spotlight on showcasing your artistry and creative processes. Whether you’re sharing time-lapse videos of your projects or designing downloadable templates, this is where your website becomes a portfolio and a gallery.

These creative features allow you to breathe life into your professional work, inviting visitors to witness and appreciate your skills. The interactive nature of these elements celebrates the journey of creation, not just the final product.

31. Showcase a rotating gallery of your photography or artwork (Read how I implemented it here)
32. Share time-lapse videos of your creative process
33. Create interactive versions of your illustrations
34. Build a music player featuring your compositions or playlists
35. Design downloadable wallpapers or templates
36. Share behind-the-scenes notes on your creative projects
37. Create an archive of your design evolution over time
38. Build clickable image maps of your workspace or collections
39. Share dithered versions of images for a retro aesthetic
40. Create printable zines from your digital content

Community Building

Creating a sense of community is essential for fostering connections among your visitors.

41. Add a guestbook (yes, they’re making a comeback!)
42. Create a “webring” connecting sites with similar interests
43. Build a recommendation system for other creators you admire
44. Host virtual “office hours” for conversations with visitors
45. Create collaborative digital projects visitors can contribute to
46. Design “supporter badges” for your community members
47. Build a forum dedicated to a niche topic you’re passionate about
48. Create digital “trading cards” featuring community members
49. Host seasonal challenges or prompts for your visitors
50. Develop a system for community-submitted reviews or guides

Writing Prompts

This section encourages you to document various experiences, thoughts, and influences, offering prompts that inspire creative writing.

51. Document landmarks you’ve visited with personal stories
52. Create an ongoing series about objects in your home
53. Write about the evolution of your creative process
54. Share detailed analyses of influences in your field
55. Create “day in the life” posts from different periods
56. Write letters to your past or future self
57. Document experiments with new techniques or tools
58. Create city guides based on personal experiences
59. Write reviews of books that changed your perspective
60. Share “studio notes” about your current projects

Useful Tools

The tool ideas are focused on providing resources that can benefit both you and your visitors.

61. Create a custom color palette generator (Read how I implemented it here)
62. Build interactive quizzes related to your expertise
63. Design calculators specific to your field
64. Create customizable templates others can download
65. Build a glossary of terminology used in your work
66. Design a personal knowledge management system
67. Create a collection of resources for beginners in your field
68. Build decision-making frameworks for common challenges
69. Design printable worksheets that complement your content
70. Create interactive timelines for complex topics

For the Tech-Savvy

Here, you can embrace your technical skills and experiment with advanced web features. By including elements like WebGL backgrounds, scrolling-triggered animations, or interactive storytelling components, you turn your website into an innovative playground.

71. Implement WebGL backgrounds that respond to user interaction
72. Create subtle animations triggered by scrolling
73. Build a “garden” section where content grows and evolves
74. Design interactive data visualizations of your work
75. Create generative art based on visitor interaction
76. Build a personal API that powers multiple projects
77. Implement progressive web app features for offline access
78. Create experimental typography that responds to screen size
79. Build custom interactive storytelling components
80. Design microinteractions that make navigation delightful

Documentation & Learning

Documentation & Learning not only enhance your knowledge management but also create a resource that others can learn from. Documentation fosters a growth mindset and inspires continual improvement, showcasing the dedication that has gone into your site.

81. Create an evolving style guide for your own reference
82. Document your website’s architecture and decisions
83. Build a changelog tracking your site’s evolution
84. Create case studies of your design process
85. Share code snippets with thorough explanations
86. Build interactive tutorials for techniques you’ve mastered
87. Document accessibility improvements and learnings
88. Create a “web lab” for experimental features
89. Share performance optimization techniques you’ve implemented
90. Build a personal wiki of your accumulated knowledge

Personal Touches

Personal Touches are about adding those special elements that make your website feel uniquely you.

91. Create a digital version of your analog collections
92. Build an interactive map of places meaningful to you
93. Design a virtual representation of your workspace
94. Create a timeline of your evolving interests
95. Build a recommendation engine based on your tastes
96. Share playlists that accompany different types of content
97. Create seasonal content that appears only at specific times
98. Design digital “rooms” representing different aspects of yourself
99. Build a virtual garden that reflects your current projects
100. Create a “time capsule” section that archives annual snapshots of your life

As you implement these ideas, think about how each feature could grow or change over time. Perhaps your customizable features could introduce new themes as the seasons change or your content.

Make a note of ideas for future enhancements in each section—this will ensure your website continues to reflect your evolving interests and creativity.

:D