Are you thinking about building an artist website but you do not know where to start?
An attractive website is essential for any artist selling art online.
The design and flow of your site are more important than ever and is the first impression a potential art collector has.
The 7 artist websites featured in this post will show you some different options that are available to help you get started.
By the end of this post, you will know…
- The importance of your website design
- How other artists built their website
- How to plan before you choose which website builder or online gallery is best for you
- Most popular website builders and online art galleries
Artist Website Design
A visitor to your site will be the first introduction to your original art or art prints.
Displaying your art professionally and with meaning will go a long way.
The colors, the menu bar, the images, the content your site has will create your brand. All the ingredients put together will separate yourself from all of the other artists selling art online and will make it easier for you to market and promote your artwork.
Building websites is a lot easier today than it was even 5 years ago.
If you can build a Facebook Business page, you can build a WordPress website that will attract collectors and inspire them to purchase your artwork.
Creating an artist website is as easy as 1,2,3 with BlueHost.
- First, you pick a domain name.
- Then you pick a hosting plan.
- The last step is to use the 1-click WordPress installer BlueHost offers.
You will have a site up and running in less than 10 minutes.
You will want to pick a theme that will compliment your branding objectives after you have launched your artist website.
A WordPress theme provides all of the front end stylings of your WordPress site. Most WordPress themes provide the overall design or style of your site. (Source) I use StudioPress Themes for WordPress but there are plenty of different options available for you.
After you have uploaded your theme you will want to add the free Woocommerce plugin. This will be your online gallery where people can view and purchase your artwork.
Related posts:
How To Install WooCommerce On A WordPress Artist Website
How To Add And Manage Products In WooCommerce
How To Add WooCommerce WordPress Categories
The platform you use will determine what you can do to design your site.
For example, FASO has limited templates for you to use. They are beautiful designs but it will be difficult for you to create a unique brand because so many artists will be using the same template as you.
WordPress, on the other hand, will allow you to create a website that will stand out. You can design your site exactly as you envision and you can continue to expand it as your business develops.
There are other options available for creating an online store like Shopify.
I have also seen many artists do very well on third-party platforms like Etsy.
Lisa Jacobs shows you how to Build an Etsy Storefront That Sells if you are interested in opening an Etsy Shop.
There is no “Best” website builder for artists. The best platform for you will depend on your goals.
I have a list of the most common website platforms artists are using further down this post.
Art Websites
The best way to learn how to design your website is by examining other sites.
Below is a list of art websites you will want to take a look at.
I am featuring different styles and layouts so you can decide what will be best for your art business.
Grab some paper and write down everything you like and don’t like from each site.
After you have your list you will want to create a draft of everything you want your website to have.
Below are some key areas you should think about:
- Background color
- Font style
- Font color
- Static home page layout
- Menu bar – What categories you would like on the menu bar
- Gallery layout
- Payment Gateway
- Site Speed – You can also check your WordPress website and server speed at Bitcatcha
For more information on branding visit Megan Auman’s course, Brand Your Creative Business.
It will be easier for you to choose what website building platform you will want to work with once you have a clear vision of how you want to brand your website.
Let’s take a look at how other artists are designing their website.
Mar Bilbao Art
Mar is a self-taught artist who sells original watercolor and acrylic paintings.
She built a beautiful website with WordPress.
The menu bar makes it easy for the first-time visitor to find what they are looking for. The menu bar includes a Home link, About link, News & Exhibition link, Blog, Shop, Portfolio and Contact Us link.
She has a brief description of her art journey and art business with a couple of her paintings shown on her home page.
A visitor knows exactly what Mar Bilbao Art has to offer.
She also takes advantage of the built-in blog that attracts and drives her target audience to her site and social share buttons that make it easy for her fans to share her site and work.
Natalie Avondet Artwork
Natalie’s can be seen at the Perficient, the Kellwood building, Modern Business Interiors and is currently represented by Lynn Bozzay at Grafica Fine Art Gallery in St. Louis, MO.
Natalie’s website is an online portfolio that showcases her artwork and events.
Her home page shares her story and artist statement which makes it easy for a new visitor to feel instantly connected with her.
The menu bar includes My Story, Gallery, Artsoulblog, Schedule, Contact, and Links.
There are links to her social media sites are directly under the menu bar followed by featured images of her artwork.
A visitor landing on Natalie’s site knows exactly the style of art she creates.
Jo Holdsworth Studio
Jo is a London-based oil painter and has been described as “a painter with a keen eye for color and an almost cinematic appeal” by Culture Vulture.
She has been voted Royal Arts Prize Visitors’ Choice Award Winner 2019 along with Clare Law.
Her home page consists of a menu bar with links to Events, About, Gallery, Exhibitions and Press and Contact.
Under the menu bar is a beautiful cinematic painting followed by her latest news.
Jo’s website makes it easy for her followers to know what is new with her art career.
Janis Tafoya Fine Art
Janis is an oil painter that creates paintings that have you feeling relaxed and at peace.
Her website has a dropdown menu with links to About The Artist, Contact The Artist
Floral, Landscape, Seascapes, and Underwater, Under $100, Email Newsletter, and The Hot Garden.
The black background works well with her artwork.
Merrin Jeff Seascapes
Merrin creates breathtaking seascape paintings which have been featured in Vogue, House & Garden and Amazing Australian Artists.
The color and font style on her site accent her artwork perfectly.
The menu bar has links to MJA Print Shop, Shop – Originals, Art Gallery, Contact, Artist CV and About.
Just under the menu bar is an image of one of her paintings.
On the bottom of the home page is a Join My Mailing List opt-in form making it easy for her fans to join her email list.
Sandra a watercolor artist who specializes in Plein air paintings and studio paintings.
Her “About Me” section is perfectly written making a reader feel as if they have known her for years.
The clean white background compliments her painting on her home page and there is a dropdown menu with a list of categories making it easy for a visitor to navigate throughout her site.
Caoimhe specializes in photorealistic pet portraits.
The soft white background compliments her artwork and tagline.
The menu bar is a different shade of white with links to her Gallery, Custom Pet Portraits, Shop, Testimonials, About Me, and Contact.
She also utilizes subcategories to keep the menu bar simple and clean.
Artist Website Templates
Research and plan before you start building your artist website.
- Create a list of objectives
- Have a clear vision of your brand
- Create a list of features you would like on your site
- Decide on how you will showcase your art
- Decide on how people can purchase your art on your site
- Create a list of keywords that describe your art business
- Create a list of artist website names
- Look at other designs like the ones listed above to spark ideas on how you will put it all together.
There are so many beautiful artist websites out there for you to get inspiration from. Take a week or two and create a list of famous artists. Research what is working for them and see if you can use some of the same strategies for your website.
I know this is tedious work but the success of your artist career starts with your website design.
What Is The Best Website To Sell Art
Art websites and online art galleries are only platforms that allow you to showcase and sell your artwork.
You will not sell more art on one platform over the other.
The sales will only come when you learn how to market your art online.
After you have listed your art on a platform you will have to devote time every week to promote your art and drive traffic to your listings.
Artists websites that sell are the ones that are branded and marketed.
Have a clear vision of what your objectives are before you decide on a platform or website builder you will be using.
Below are some of the most common platforms artists are using today. Take a look at all of them to decide what will be the best fit for you.
- WordPress – Is a website builder that allows you to build an e-commerce store and a blog that will drive traffic to your website.
- Shopify – Is an e-commerce platform for online stores.
- ArtPal – Is a free gallery to sell and purchase art.
- Singulart – Is an online art gallery with emerging artists from over 80 countries.
- Artfinder – Is an online juried gallery.
- Saatchi – Is one of the largest art marketplaces with over 65,000 artists.
Artists Websites To Inspire You
The 7 artist websites that I have showcased are great examples of what you can do for your online art business.
You have seen:
- Artist websites by Fine Art Studio Online
- Artists websites on WordPress
- Artists Websites on Shopify
By this point, you should have a good idea of how you are going to brand your online site and what platform you will use.
Conclusion:
Learn from famous art websites and start planning how you will create a website that will separate yourself from all of the other artists selling art online.
Popular Art Marketing And Sales Tutorials
Are you ready to take your art business to the next level?
Investing in marketing courses and tutorials will maximize your profit and speed up the growth of your business.
Below are some of the most popular art marketing courses that will grow your online art business:
Most Popular – How to Make a Living Selling What You Make by Megan Auman
Most Popular – Build a Successful Creative Blog by April Bowles-Olin
How to Build a Business While Learning Your Craft by Megan Auman
Pinterest Marketing for Makers & Designers by Megan Auman
28 Day Blogging Challenge for Visual Artists
Are you ready to start building an online presence?
Available on Amazon or Download your copy today.
The Productive Artist How to Live Your Dreams
The right mindset and time management skills are essential for any business. These topics are often not talked about but are key elements for your success. You will learn how to have a winning mindset and time management skills necessary for operating a successful art business.
Available at Amazon or Download your copy today.
Get More Done in Less Time The Part-time Artist
Proven strategies that will help you to get more work done in less time so you can sell more art and earn more money.
Available at Amazon or Download your copy today.
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