Is it essential to have personal websites?
russell: It's useful to have one, because prospective clients will go to your domain to see what your work looks like.  If you have a domain but no web site you get questions.  If you have a portfolio, then it is not really a requirement, but it does add to the image of professionalism.  If I were you I would go for simple but elegant with links to your blog and sites that you have done.