I'm planning to start a web/app development business - I want to operate as an LLC for the limited liability, but don't plan on taking on any other members or employees. I will really need to build up my portfolio if I want to succeed, and the plan was to work on freelance sites for cheap initially, then once I have a reputation and a good portfolio hopefully I will be able to move on from those sites.
So, if I work under my personal name on those sites, can I put the work that I did under my name into my LLC's portfolio (and vice versa)? It would make sense since I will be the only member of the LLC so anything that the LLC produces is developed by me, but on the other hand a LLC is considered a separate entity from myself, so I'm not sure how that would work?
I know I can work on some freelance sites like elance as a LLC, thus eliminating the problem, but other sites like upwork (and some local freelance sites) only allow individuals and not companies as freelancers.
Another thing: from what I understand, it's the norm for freelancers to sign over their app or website's IP to the client upon payment. Question is, is there a commonly-acceptable way to prove that you developed it? Perhaps in a website I could leave a small note in the footer saying 'Developed by ___', but what about in an app?