An art website is an online platform that allows artists to showcase their work, connect with potential clients and sell their arts. Creating a website can be a great way for artist to promote their works and reach a wider audience. It can also be a useful tool for managing and organizing their art portfolio.
You can own an art website. Yes, it is possible. With so many content-management-softwares (CMS) and easy-to-use website builders, you can create a professional-looking website without you being a professional programmer
5 reasons why artists should have an art website
Display your artwork
While a website isn’t exactly the same as an online portfolio, it’s a useful tool for showing your work to others. It provides a space where visitors can look at your art, giving them a chance to understand your abilities, artistic style, and what you have to offer.
Sell your art pieces
The rise of eCommerce has changed the way we buy and sell goods, including artwork. If you already have an art website for your work, you can easily start selling them directly on that same website without the need to create a separate one.
With Kogihost.com online store builder, you can easily create an online store for your art and start selling it to people anywhere in the world. It has built-in features to accept payments securely, making it convenient for art enthusiasts to purchase your artwork directly from your site.
Have complete control over your online presence
While large websites and social media platforms like DeviantArt, Artstation, Behance, Facebook, and Instagram can help you grow your audience, they come with limitations and the risk of losing control over your content due to platform guidelines and terms of service. Having your own website allows you to have more control over your content, avoid platform restrictions, and easily move your content to different hosting if necessary.
Reach a wider audience
Many artists choose to share their work on the Internet to make it more widely seen and reach a bigger group of people. The Internet lets artists who work independently sell their art to people everywhere in the world, not just a small local audience.
Connect with fellow artists, art enthusiasts, and potential collaborators
Some websites have dedicated spaces where artists can talk to each other, share ideas, and get inspired. Websites can also have lists of artists looking for others to work with, making it easier for them to find partners for projects.
So, having an art website not only helps you expand your circle of friends but also creates a place where you can find new ideas, work together, and grow in your artistic careers.
Key components of a successful art website
Art websites can vary in design and style, but they should consistently include the following essential elements:
- About/biography. This section should offer a concise summary of your background and achievements, such as education, artistic experience, awards, and any related art or publishing experience. The biography serves as a quick reference for people to gain a sense of who you are as an artist.
- Portfolio. Your art website’s primary purpose is to showcase your artwork and potentially sell it. To achieve this, your website should highlight your art pieces. You can organize your portfolio by featuring your best pieces on the home page and categorizing the rest in clear sections. Include details like the title of the artwork, medium, dimensions, date of the piece, and price if it’s up for sale. You can also provide a brief description of the artwork to engage your viewers.
- Contact information. The contact page on your art website serves as a means for customers to reach out to you. This page should include a contact form, your business name, studio address, phone number, and email address.
- Blog. A blog on your art website is a powerful tool for connecting with your audience. It allows you to share insights about your art, showcase your creative process, provide detailed galleries for specific art projects, and introduce yourself and your artistic specialties. Beyond that, it offers engaging content that keeps visitors coming back for more. Besides showcasing your art, you can also cover industry trends, review art supplies, and offer tutorials to bolster your expertise and credibility. Plus, if you incorporate affiliate links, it can even generate some passive income.
- Client testimonials. Social proof is everything. So, don’t hesitate to ask your clients for feedback and put them in a dedicated section on your website. This will help convince potential clients to work with you and feel confident that you’re skilled at what you do.
- Social media integration. Although art websites are great for displaying your work and interacting with potential clients, it’s important to remember that many people spend a lot of time on social media platforms. So, it’s a good idea to make sure your website has easy links or buttons that can take visitors directly to your profiles on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok.
How to create an art website
Here are the steps on how to create an art website:
Register a domain name
When choosing a domain name, it’s important to pick one that’s relevant to art, easy to spell, and short.
A domain name is like your website’s home address on the Internet. It’s what people type in their web browsers to access your site.
When picking a domain name, it’s important to choose one that relates to art, is easy to spell, and is not too long.
- As you brainstorm domain names, consider these tips:
- Use words related to art to help your site show up in search results.
- Go for a simple, easy-to-spell name to avoid confusion.
- Keep the domain name short so it’s easy to remember.
- Avoid using abbreviations, acronyms, hyphens, or numbers.
- Choose a popular and trusted top-level domain (TLD) or pick one that fits your content, like .art.
- Make sure the domain name you pick is available. If it isn’t, buying it can be expensive, so you might want to consider other options or a different TLD.
- If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, our AI domain name generator can help. Just provide some keywords or brief descriptions, and it’ll suggest different domain name options for you.
Find a website host
Now that you’ve secured a domain name, the next step is to select the right website host.
A website host is a company that stores all the files needed for your website and ensures they’re accessible to anyone visiting your site.
When choosing a website host, it’s important to prioritize reliability, user-friendliness, and customer support. Take into account factors like the amount of storage space your website needs, expected visitor traffic, and any specific tools or software you may need.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best website host:
- Understand your website needs. Think about the features you need, like the ability to upload videos, have discussion forums, or run quizzes. Make sure your host offers what you’re looking for.
- Think about the size of your website. If you have a small website, you can get away with a shared hosting plan. However, if you have a large website or expect a lot of traffic, you will need a dedicated or VPS hosting plan.
- Make sure your host has good speed and uptime records. A fast website that’s always online is important.
- Think about the future. If your website becomes more popular, will your host be able to handle the increased traffic?
- Website hosting can range in price from a few dollars per month to hundreds of dollars per month. Choose a plan that fits your budget and needs.
- Before you choose a website host, read reviews from other users. This will help you get an idea of the company’s reliability and customer service.
- Look for a provider with premium support. If you run into problems, you’ll want quick and helpful customer support.
Pick a website design template
Picking the right design template is crucial for how your website looks and works. Web.com offers art website templates that cater to a variety of artistic styles.
When you’re choosing a template, here are a few things to think about:
- Layout: Choose a layout that aligns with the type of art you want to present. Some templates may be ideal for displaying a portfolio, while others may suit art blogs or online galleries better.
- Colors: Choose colors that harmonize with your artistic vision and create an appealing visual atmosphere for your website’s visitors.
- Navigation: Make sure the template has menus that are easy to use so that visitors can quickly find the art and information they’re looking for on your website.
Create informative and engaging content
It’s time to start creating content. The goal is to create content that’s both interesting and informative, and that will help you connect with your audience and showcase your skills as an artist.
Here are some content ideas that you can share on your art website:
- Artistic process: Share insights into your creative process, from sketching and ideation to the final piece, with images or videos.
- Tutorials and how-to guides: Create step-by-step tutorials or guides on specific artistic techniques, such as painting, drawing, or sculpting.
- Artistic inspiration: Share what inspires you as an artist, whether it’s nature, emotions, or other artists’ works.
- Behind-the-scenes: Offer a glimpse into your studio or workspace, explaining how you organize your tools and materials.
- Art challenges: Create and participate in art challenges or prompts, encouraging your audience to join in and share their creations.
- Tailor your content to your target audience and your unique artistic style and perspective. Consistent and engaging content can help you connect with your audience and establish your presence in the art community.
Launch your website
Once you have your content ready, it’s time to launch your website. This involves setting up your domain name and hosting, testing your website on different devices and browsers, and optimizing it for search engines.
Promote your website
Promotion is important for any artist who wants to attract visitors to their website. There are many ways to promote your art website, but some of the most effective methods include:
- Social media: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are a great way to connect with potential art buyers and collectors. By creating profiles on relevant platforms and sharing your art, you can reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website.
- Online advertising: Online advertising can be an effective way to target your desired audience. Platforms like Google Ads allow you to show your ads to people who are searching for specific keywords or phrases related to your art, such as “paintings for sale” or “abstract art.” This can help you reach people who are actively interested in buying art.
- Email marketing: Email marketing is a great way to stay in touch with potential art buyers and collectors. By collecting email addresses, you can send regular updates about your art, your upcoming shows, or your latest work. This can help you keep your art top of mind and encourage people to visit your website.
Keep your website up to date
Once your website is up and running, it’s important to keep it updated. This means regularly adding new content, removing outdated information, and making sure your website is secure and user-friendly.
Here are some specific things you can do to keep your website updated:
- Add new content. This could include blog posts, articles, images, videos, or other types of content that are relevant to your audience.
- Secure your website. Make sure your website is using secure web practices, such as HTTPS and website backup.
- Monitor your website traffic. Keep an eye on how many people are visiting your website and where they’re coming from. This will help you understand what’s working and what’s not.
Your website is your online portfolio, business card, and marketing hub all in one. That’s why it’s important to create a beautiful and professional website that showcases your work. The best artist website templates are those that highlight your artwork and allow it to shine.
