How I Built My Portfolio Site: Tech Stack & Decisions

Every developer needs a portfolio that showcases their skills. But a portfolio is also a project in itself—a chance to demonstrate what you can do. Here's the story of how I built mine, the technologies I chose, and why.

The Tech Stack

I built this site with a practical, proven stack:

PHP: Server-side rendering with reusable templates (header.php, footer.php)
Bootstrap: Responsive grid and components that work on all devices
Custom CSS: The Shiny template provides a solid foundation with parallax effects, smooth animations, and professional styling
JavaScript/jQuery: Interactive elements, carousel, lightbox, and the AI chatbot integration
MySQL: Backend database for contact forms and future dynamic features

Key Features

AI Chatbot: Integrated with Google Gemini API for real-time visitor assistance
PayPal Integration: Accept payments for services directly on the site
Responsive Design: Looks great on phones, tablets, and desktops
SEO Optimized: Meta tags, structured data, fast loading times
Performance: Optimized images (WebP/AVIF), minified assets, CDN-ready

Design Decisions

I chose a dark theme with vibrant accents because it feels modern and professional. The parallax backgrounds and particle effects add visual interest without being distracting. Every section serves a purpose: services, portfolio, testimonials, pricing, and contact.