A Website Creates a Sense of Professionalism
When an artist makes the decision to sell their artwork they are making the decision to start a business and most businesses need a great website to be taken seriously. A website is a great place to keep contact information, create a portfolio of your work, as well as to have a place to sell your work without the need of a middleman. Having an online platform will enhance the perception of professionalism regarding your art. It allows you to positively build up your reputation by giving people the opportunity to learn about who you are as an artist.
Use your Website as a Personal Portfolio
Having a professional website to showcase your work allows you to build your portfolio as well as establish a place for people to see your work, what galleries you are in, as well as what exhibitions you have been/are hosting. A website allows you as an artist to share with people who you are, how you began your creative journey and give an artist statement. For example, Dave Durrance, an Aspen local and abstract color painter, has a beautiful website that truly captures his work as an artist. His website gives him a single avenue to not only showcase his art but also to allow people to contact him with questions or to purchase his work.
Have Control Over Your Own Marketing Assets
One of the most beneficial reasons for an artist to have their own website is to have control over their marketing assets. If you are relying solely on third-party services, like Facebook, Instagram or Etsy, you don’t have direct control over the presentation of your work, who is advertising on your page or the changes that the third party can make to the look of your listing.
By having your own website, you are also enabling a one-track path for people to purchase your art, solely through you and cuts out the middleman (a gallery, third-party service).
There are many reasons why you, as an artist, should have a professional website, but the main reason is that your website can be fully, 100% you. It is easy to create a website that represents you and effectively promotes your work. The final piece of an artist’s website is for it to be all about the art. The art should be clearly displayed without any other distractions on the page. It is also important that the website allows the viewer to see the image on a full screen instead of small thumbnails. Let your art do the selling!