8 reasons artists need a website
Updated January 2023: Maker’s Tech U is no longer open.
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It is important to me that I have a website that mirrors the art I create. It’s a great way to express myself and is a vital sales tool for my creative business. I think of it as my “home” online. I like visitors to arrive and feel welcomed just like they would in my own home!
With so many places online to promote and sell our art… why should any artist put in the time and effort to create their own personal website? After all, we’re busy enough writing, drawing, painting, and creating our art.
Well, it’s really about control: Control of your work, control of your message and control of your personal brand as an artist. When you have a website, you are creating a virtual identity for yourself and your art.
If you’re ready to take your art business to the next level, here are 8 reasons why it could be time to invest in a website for your art:
1. You’ll project a credible and professional image
Investing time to establish a brand identity and a hub for all your work shows that you are more than just a hobbyist; you are serious about creating and selling art. A website can establish your image as a professional and provide a real boost to your creative business.
2. You’ll have a place to define your art
You’ve worked hard to create beautiful artwork - a website is where you can display it and talk about it in exactly the way you choose. Think of yourself as your very own gallery curator; you decide exactly how your work is displayed and shared.
3. You’ll attract new customers
A website linked with all your social media accounts and with a good ranking on Google will help your work have much greater visibility. Once a new customer has found you, your website enables them to find out more about you. It’s also a convenient hub for anyone who wants to contact you directly about buying a piece, hiring you for a commission or a creative collaboration.
4. You’ll be able to turn fans into buyers
A website is the perfect place to build an email list of people who are interested in your work. More than a portfolio, it is a place to tell the story of you and your style. This enables you to communicate with your fans directly meaning they are primed and ready to buy when you release a new piece or a new workshop.
5. You’ll control your marketing
Have you ever spent money on advertising only to find your advertisement displayed next to your competitors or in a not so great position? The simple truth is that using third-parties means you can’t control how you and your art appear to your customers (or even if they’re the right customers). By having your own website you decide how people will see your work.
6. You don’t pay commission!
The ability to sell directly via your website means you don’t pay commission. Anything you sell through your own site goes straight into your pocket (although you will have to pay a small fee to the company who handles your payments, such as Paypal or Stripe).
7. You can grow your profile with ease
You can hire a designer to do all of the dirty work for you, but the good news is that you don’t have to. You can create your own website quickly and easily in a variety of ways. I’m a big fan of Squarespace. I’ve been using them for over thirteen years for my blog and website and it's the easiest and most intuitive platform I have experienced. They have many templates for all different styles of website, whether you want something clean and minimalistic, or colorful and exciting, and all of them leave you with a stunning and professional looking site.
8. You’ll develop your creative business affordably
Don’t let the cost of setting up a website put you off - it really doesn’t need to cost you hundreds of dollars to hire a designer. You can actually start a website for less than $20 a month. From Squarespace and Wix to InMotion and Weebly, there are lots of options out there and it’s worth doing your research to choose the right one depending on how you see your business growing and the amount of time you want to invest in setting it up.
Have I managed to convince you to create a website for your art? Please feel free to reach out if I can support you further.
Have a blessed day!
roben-marie
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