The Essential Role of a Website for Artists: 11 Key Reasons

Having a website can seem like a lot of work and time that many artists do not want to take away from their paintings.

Every artist today needs to have a website. The way artists sell their artwork is constantly changing. A website helps give an artist exposure to new customers. An artist is essentially running a small business, so they need to have a website like any other business owner to run the small business.

Why Should An Artist Have A Website? 11 Reasons Artists Need a Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Content:
- Does An Artist Art Brand Need a Logo?
- Should An Artist Have a Facebook Page?

Why Should An Artist Have A Website? 11 Reasons Artists Need a Website

For many artists, dedicating time to building and maintaining a website might seem daunting, diverting attention from their creative process. However, a personal website is becoming increasingly crucial in the rapidly evolving art market.

It is a digital platform offering exposure to new audiences and potential customers. Essentially, artists are entrepreneurs managing their small businesses, and just like any business in today’s digital age, a website is a fundamental tool for growth, visibility, and professional legitimacy

Here are some reasons why every artist needs a website to promote their artwork today.

1 – The Way Artist Make Money From Art Is Changing

The way an artist makes money from their artwork is changing. It used to be that an artist would put their painting in a gallery and then wait for the gallery to sell and market their paintings. Many artists are still making a living that way, but the truth is that many galleries worldwide are closing their doors because the way many people buy art is also changing.

Take, for example, the Watters Gallery, which has operated since 1964. They closed their doors for the last time in December 2018. Geoffrey Legge, one of the owners of the gallery, said:

“We’ve discovered that our energies have not really been great enough for the demands of the art world we find ourselves in. There are new challenges and possibilities which younger people can exploit with confidence and enjoyment.”
Geoffrey Legge

With major online players getting into the art business and selling original art online, Geoffrey Legge says that, like it or not, the way people buy art has also changed. Gallery is no longer the only way that people can buy art. Now, there are many choices for both the artist and the art buyer.

As the way people buy art is changing, it also means that most artists can no longer depend on an art gallery to sell their art for them while they stay home to paint. Instead, artists need to operate and think like small business owners. This means they must operate as any small business, including a website.

2 – A Website Gives An Artist Exposure

A website will help to give an artist exposure. A website can be like an artist’s own online gallery. Even if you are trying to go the gallery route with your art, the easiest way to show the potential galleries about your artwork is to direct them to your website. So they can see your work online and then decide if they are interested in you and your artwork.

Having a website will also help to define you as an artist. Here are a few things you should do before doing your website:

Invest in a Domain name – Invest in a domain name with your name, the company’s name, or an artistic name. Having a domain name with your name will help you look more professional than someone who does not have a domain name with their name. I use GoDaddy as my hosting company, and they have some very cheap domain names. You can click here to find out more about their domain names.
Have a logo – A logo will help you, your art, and your website look more professional. There are free logo-making software programs you can use for some ideas for your logo. Check out Tailormade or FreeLogoDesign to see if you like any designs their software comes up with for you.

3 – A Website Helps An Artist Look Professional

If you want to look like a professional artist, the quickest and easiest way is to do a professional-looking website. Today, with the website programs out there, this is possible and easy to do. All you need are some basic computer skills.

If you want to have a simple website design program that is easy to learn you can try one of these programs:

Weebly – I have a few websites on Weebly. Weebly’s website program is quite easy to learn, so you can quickly get a website up and running. Though you can point another domain name you have purchased elsewhere to Weebly if you are looking for ease in use, buying your domain name directly from Weebly is easier. Weebly should allow you to be able to get a website up and running relatively quickly by using Weebly as your provider and helping you design the website. Weebly should have enough templates to give the look you want for your site. You can find out more by clicking here.
GoDaddy Website Builder – GoDaddy also has an excellent website builder that makes it easy to build your website. One of the things I love about GoDaddy is that you can always call them. They have tech support that works 24 hours and 7 days a week. I have spent a lot of time on the phone with their tech support, and they usually have been accommodating. So if you are a bit anxious about building a website, this is a great option as you can always get some phone support and help from GoDaddy. You can find out more about their website builder by clicking here.

Nowadays, many website creation platforms incorporate AI technology, making it easier than ever to develop the perfect website. AI assistance simplifies the process, guiding users through intuitive design choices and functionalities.

If you are serious about blogging and want your website to look a certain way, with the colors, font type, and other features, I suggest you consider learning WordPress.

WordPress now powers over 34% of all websites on the web; this amount increases every year. This means that many people are doing online tutorials about setting up a WordPress site, and many free plugins are available for WordPress. So if you want to learn WordPress, there is a ton of content to help you.

About Having A WordPress Website

Though learning WordPress will take you some time and effort, once you learn WordPress, you are not limited in what your website can do. I use GoDaddy as my hosting company, and again, one of the reasons is I like the access to be able to call their tech support at any time about my site. GoDaddy offers you two kinds of WordPress programs:

WordPress – This is the regular WordPress. To use this, you will need to know about the technical aspects of your site, such as how to work a C panel, ensure your SSL is up-to-date, etc. All the technical backend kind of website stuff. I only had this as my WordPress for a while, and it worked great. However, I moved to the Managed WordPress program due to my own SSL concerns in configuring it correctly.
Managed WordPress – Setting up a Managed WordPress website is much easier than just WordPress. GoDaddy has Managed WordPress and they can help to give you some extra support and help you back up your website. This is the one system that I have opted to do as I just felt it was easier all around for me.

Anyone can design a website – so start now, and you can learn to design your own art website. If you decide to hire someone to design your website or do the website yourself, be sure to have a website.

4 – A Website Helps Define You As An Artist

One of the reasons a website is so important is that it will define you as an artist. These are some things your website should do:

Reflect on your art – Is your art fun? Is it serious? Is it religious? Then, your website should reflect those things about you and your art.
Show your personality. – Let your website show a bit about your personality. Do you like fun and bright colors? Then, use those colors. If you like green, then use some green on your site. Have the site reflect on you as an artist.

5 – A Website Should Show Who You Are As An Artist And Why

People will come to the website and be drawn to buy your art because of you and your art. Here are some ways you can look to inspire people when they get to your website:

Tell your story – Use the About Me or the About section of the website to tell your story to your audience. Tell them what inspires you and your art.
Contact info – Ensure you have apparent and good contact information on your website.
Where or how to buy – if you have an online shop or your artwork is at a gallery or even a local sale store – tell your audience where and how they can buy your artwork from you. If you are new to selling your art and do not have this all organized yet, don’t worry; the online buying pages can come later.

6 – A Website Is Part Of The Art of Business

Many artists think, well, I want to be an artist. I do not want to own a business or do all those things that business people need to do; all I want to do is my art. When you decided to be an artist, you also chose to be a small business owner.

Like it or not, when you are a small business owner, there are things you will have to do, even if you do not like to do them, such as taxes, accounting, or even a webpage. A webpage is just part of running a small business.

7 – A Website Helps With Marketing

When you own your own business, you also need to market yourself, so you also need to think like a marketer. That means you need to do things to get your artwork out there for others to see, and a website will help you do this.

It is not easy to be a small business owner, and YES, these things will take you away from your artwork unless you have someone who can help you with the business side of things. But whether you do it yourself or have someone to help you, there are things you need to do; they will need to be done.

8 – A Website Helps You Collect Names Of Potential Clients

From the beginning of your website, start to collect names on your site. You can give away something to get people to give you their name and email address. But each of those names can be a potential customer. So, it does not hurt to have a program on your website to help you collect names.

A program I recently discovered that I like is Send In Blue. It may take you a while to learn SendInBlue, but once you learn it, it is quite easy to use, and I have found their online tech support to be quite good.

9 – A Website Blog Helps Bring Website Traffic

Content today is essential to increase your search ratings with your Google searches. One of the best ways to do this is to write some blogs.

The search engines like to see that you are adding content and quoting other sites. This helps them to see you as a reputable site.

Writing a blog does take time and effort. It is not always easy. To learn more about writing a blog, you can check out our blog, Should An Artist Write a Blog?, to find out more information on writing a blog and get some ideas for your blog.

Social media is also a great way to get your art exposure. You can read our blog on 9 Reasons Every Artists Should be On Instagram. We like Instagram for Artists as we love how Instagram is such a great visual platform and gives you a great way to show and talk about your art.

Link your website to your social media accounts and vice versa; have your website information on your social media accounts. This will help to give you some added credibility,

11 – A Website Can Sell Your Art

Another option is to sell your art online with your website. Today, setting up an e-commerce site on your website is pretty easy. You can easily set up your website to have a page that says something like “Buy Now” so people can easily buy your artwork.

Every artist needs to have a website. A website will help you get some excellent added exposure for your art and yourself as an artist. Do not skip this crucial step of having a website to promote yourself and your art.

Anita Louise Art is dedicated to art education, great artists, and inspiring others to find and create their art. We love art that uplifts and inspires. #ArtToMakeYouSmile! #ArtToMakeYouHappy!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there anything I should do to protect my artwork from people copying it?

If you’re hesitant to showcase your art online due to concerns about copying or unauthorized use, one practical solution is to apply watermarks to all your online artwork. This measure offers a layer of protection, making it harder for others to use your work without permission and easier for you to prove infringement if they do. Additionally, you can restrict the ability to download images from your website or require users to log in to access your full collection, further safeguarding your artistic creations.

Are websites still relevant?

Despite the prevalence of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, having a website remains highly relevant. A well-maintained website not only enhances your professional image but also plays a crucial role in attracting potential customers. In the midst of various social media channels, a website stands out as a more personalized and professional showcase of your work. However, it’s important to regularly update your website to ensure it continues to resonate with and remain relevant to your audience, both existing clients and prospective ones.

Why is having a website important for artists?

A website is a vital tool for artists to establish a professional online presence. It allows for complete control over how your art is presented, helps in building a brand, and provides a centralized platform for fans and potential buyers to view and learn about your work. Unlike social media, a website is a dedicated space solely focused on your art.

Can’t I just use social media instead of a website?

While social media is a great tool for promotion and engagement, it doesn’t replace the need for a website. A website offers a more professional, comprehensive, and customizable showcase of your work. It also ensures that your audience can always find your work, regardless of social media trends or algorithm changes.

How does a website help in selling art?

A website can function as an online gallery and shop for your art, providing potential buyers with a direct way to purchase your work. It also helps in establishing credibility and trust with buyers, showcasing your art in a professional format, and offering secure transaction methods.

Isn’t creating and maintaining a website expensive and time-consuming?

Building and maintaining a website has become more accessible and affordable, thanks to user-friendly website builders that cater to artists. While it does require an initial investment of time to set up, the long-term benefits in terms of professional image and sales potential make it a worthwhile endeavor.

How often should I update my website?

Regular updates are crucial to keep your website relevant and engaging. This could include adding new artwork, updating your portfolio, posting upcoming events or exhibitions, and keeping your biography and contact information current. Ideally, updating your website every few weeks or monthly is a good practice to keep your audience engaged and informed.

Does An Artist Art Brand Need a Logo?

We believe every artist should have a logo to brand their art and art business. A great logo will give added attention to you and your artwork. A brand logo will show the world you are a professional artist as you have taken the time to design a logo. Your brand logo should have the right style, colors, and font to give the message of you and your artwork clearly.

To find out more you can read our blog on Does An Artist Art Brand Need a Logo? by clicking here.

Should An Artist Have a Facebook Page?

The 7 reasons why every artist should consider having a Facebook page. The reason are that 1) Facebook is the largest social media platform in the world, 2) your competition will probably have a Facebook page, 3) with Facebook you can tell people about you, your art and your art brand, 4) you can build an art community, 5) it helps you with your search engine optimization, 6) gives you a way to have daily contact with potential customers and 7) it is free to use.

To find out more you can read our blog on 7 Reasons Every Artist Should Have a Facebook Page by clicking here.

The Essential Role of a Website for Artists: 11 Key Reasons

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Why Should An Artist Have A Website? 11 Reasons Artists Need a Website