To sell art online is not the same as it was a decade ago. Although you may find avid collectors and art lovers through exhibitions and personal connections, your opportunities are limited through these channels. Going online gives you immense exposure and reach as collectors frequent the internet to find new gems for their collections. Missing out on an online presence means losing sales and potential client relationships. But winning the internet game is often challenging for artists as they do not know much about e-commerce selling and branding.
But you cannot give up on the idea only because you do not have experience with selling artwork online. It is never too late to start, even if the marketplace is crowded as more and more artists are embracing the move. The effort is worthwhile because you can achieve more without a massive investment. Moreover, a good start with the right set of strategies is enough to match your sales expectations and sustain them for the long haul. Let us suggest some actionable ways to increase your artwork sales online.
Ways to Sell Art on Your Website:
1. Create an Online Art Portfolio
You may not have a budget for creating a website at the outset, but an online art portfolio gives you a great start with selling. Discerning collectors may flock to your studio to pick your work if they are impressed enough. But remember the objective is not only to showcase your artwork to interested buyers. It should also build your credibility as an artist. The best way to do it is by including elements such as your biography, professional headshot, and artist statement that replicate your vision. Include testimonials from your clients, contact details, and links to your social media pages. The more information you put in your portfolio, the better your chances to sell your work and retain clients.
2. Leverage Social Media Promotions
You can expect potential clients to drop in when you share your social media profiles on your portfolio. Having impressive profiles is essential to building interest in yourself and your artwork. Besides impressing the visitors who drop by, social media presents a low-cost opportunity to promote your work and artist brand. Although art is a solitary occupation, you should not skimp on social networking.
Pick the apt platforms where your target audience is likely to be. Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are often the favorites of art lovers. But you must also have a LinkedIn profile in case they want to know you better as a professional. Think beyond showcasing yourself and your work. Get feedback, ask for a critique, and gain inspiration from your followers.
3. Have a Compelling Website
A compelling website is a key to selling any product and service online, and artwork is no exception. After all, you cannot continue showing your online portfolio to potential buyers forever. A website gives you a more professional appearance, and buyers are more likely to stick around and return for more. Although you may run on a tight budget, DIY is not the best way to create an art website because buyers have high expectations. You can collaborate with an off-shore software development firm to design a website without spending a fortune. The best thing is that outsourcing from a low-cost destination can help you save on development costs without compromising quality.
4. Invest in an SEO Strategy
Running a website can get you on the right track for selling your artwork online, but it is not enough to achieve your sales goals. After all, you cannot expect the traffic to increase unless potential buyers can spot your website. It is possible only if your site features in the top rankings for the most popular search keywords. A robust SEO strategy can help you get your website to the top for visibility and outreach.
Besides getting the traffic you want, ranking on the first pace enhances your credibility as an artist. Art lovers are more likely to recognize your brand if they see your site every time they look for the best artwork online. They may even drop in to have a look and end up buying your work.
5. Create an Informative Blog
Besides creating a website to showcase your work, you can consider starting an informative blog to promote your personal brand. A blog also builds your reputation as a niche expert, provided you can create compelling posts to keep your audiences hooked and coming back for more. You can even add a blog section to your website to save time, money, and effort. The best part is that a blog boosts your SEO rankings and drives more organic traffic to your website. Pick creative ideas and write about things art lovers care about. Craft long-form value-adding content pieces with optimal use of keywords to sell artwork in the long run.
6. Experiment with Guest Blogs
Guest blogging on other websites is a great way to promote your offering and sell your artwork online. You only need to pick niche-relevant sites with a similar target audience to reach out to them. Also, ensure they have high authority and a good reputation in the domain. The best part of guest blogging is that you get a vote of confidence from an industry expert, so you have better chances of selling artwork without hefty spending on marketing. A guest post site owner expects you to provide quality content that matches audience intent and follows their writing guidelines.
7. Advertise Online
Besides trying organic strategies to sell your artwork online, you can go head first with paid ads. Although you may have to spend more on paid advertising, it is a surefire way to get quality traffic to your website. Since only the most interested viewers are likely to click on ads, they have better chances to convert once they visit your site. You can post conventional Google Ads to attract a search engine audience or opt for Facebook Ads to pick potential buyers from social media. Decide on your ad spending budget to create a viable paid ad strategy.
8. Go Live with a Podcast
If you want to think outside the box for selling artwork online, podcasts can do the trick for you. Podcasts are trending because they are convenient and accessible on the go as visitors need not read or view content. You can create podcasts effortlessly and cater expertise to your audience. They will probably become regular listeners if they enjoy your content enough. Art collectors have a good reason to check your website and pick your work once they get hooked to your podcasts. You also get the benefits of a broader reach with podcasts.
9. Participate in an Online Forum
Art-related forums make an excellent platform to reach out and build your audiences through their communities. You need not do much with the marketing strategy, as joining the forum and participating in conversations is good enough. But ensure choosing a forum site that aligns with your expertise. Be there to answer questions, and people will be more than happy to check your website if you build trust as an expert. Once they drop in, they may find something they like and seal the deal sooner than later.
10. Invest in Video Marketing
Since art is a visual product, you can leverage video marketing to ace the selling game. YouTube is the best place to flaunt your work and expertise, so create a channel and invest in video SEO. Compelling videos about your new pieces can attract all the attention they deserve. But remember to optimize them for visibility by using the relevant search keywords for titles and descriptions. Designing artistic thumbnails is equally crucial as they drive potential viewers to click and view your videos.
11. Publish Free eBooks
Publish free eBooks is another great idea for aspiring and seasoned artists who want to go a step ahead with online sales. You can leverage your knowledge to cover topics of interest to art lovers and artists. The best thing about publishing for free is that it can exponentially increase the number of followers and visitors to your website. Although you may have qualms about providing a freebie, consider it a long-term marketing investment for your personal brand as it builds awareness and credibility.
FAQs
How can I increase my art sales?
The best way to increase art sales is by leveraging online selling. While you must stick with the traditional methods like exhibitions and shows, you cannot skip on the digital channel as a major part of art lovers' search on the internet.
How can I boost my art business online?
An online portfolio is a good way to start, but you must invest in a website sooner than later. Social media marketing and paid ads are equally crucial, but you must invest in other online strategies as well.
Is online art marketing expensive?
You need not spend a fortune on marketing and selling your artwork online. The right mix of tactics can do the trick and boost your sales figures. Moreover, it can also help you create brand awareness.
What kind of art website should you create?
You need a visually appealing website to impress discerning art lovers. While it should display your work, ensure adding the information for buyers to complete the sale process effortlessly.
Conclusion
To sell art online need not be a daunting challenge, provided you know the basics and pick the apt marketing tactics. Follow these tips to get the sales soaring and build credibility for your personal brand.
