You’ve put a lot of effort into designing the ideal art website and developing its content strategy. You’ve chosen a gorgeous theme or template that allows your artwork to stand out. Making your website look professional is something you’re doing meticulously.
The last thing you want to happen is for all of your hard effort to go unnoticed. You need the correct elements on your website or you won’t get good results.
Your art website requires a framework that you can use to ensure that it includes all of the essentials so that you make the right impression on your site’s visitors. The framework must have the impact that your collectors are expecting.
Here’s how you can incorporate the critical components of the best framework for a successful artist website:
Build An Inviting Homepage
Your home page serves as a virtual calling card. It’s the first thing that most users will view when they arrive at your website’s home page. Does it effectively communicate your message?
Your art should be featured front and center on your site. Upon landing on your homepage, it should be clear to the visitor what your overall aesthetic is.
The aesthetic of your website should provide a basic sense of what your art is all about. Is it bright and airy? Dark and Moody? Vibrant and Entertaining? The look and feel of your website should be consistent with the general theme of your artwork.
Your home page should have clear and straightforward navigation. Your visitor will not want to fuss around with figuring out how to learn more about you, and how to purchase your art.
Focus on High Quality Content and Don’t Waste Space
Your website should be jam-packed with high-quality content. This means that you should only publish images and writings that show off your artwork in the best light.
If you only have poorly lit photographs or don’t have the time to write about your work, you’re better off waiting before adding them to your website. Take the time to re-shoot your artwork.
Each page of your website should provide useful material, stories, and solutions that will assist you in building relationships with your website visitors. If there are sections or pages on your website that are not accomplishing this goal, you should revise or delete them.
Tell Us About Yourself as an Artist
You should include a biography of yourself as an artist somewhere on your website. This may be accomplished through a bio page or a welcome video – or, even better, through both.
Let your website visitors know why you do what you do. Explain to them your fundamental artistic principles. Demonstrate how your art enhances their lives and/or seeks to make the world a better place by sharing your experiences and artistic values.
Your visitors will identify their own values in your stories, which will aid in the development of a strong bond between you and them.
Add Social Proof (Also Known as Peer Pressure)
Social Proof that is strategically placed demonstrates that you are trustworthy and that your artwork is a sound investment. It is effective because it demonstrates that other people appreciate your work rather than you singing your own praises.
One effective strategy is to incorporate testimonials from previous collectors or collaborators. If you can secure a testimonial from an influential individual, this will be much more effective.
You might also include information about classes or artist talks you’ve given as another approach to illustrate your worth. This will demonstrate to others that you are an expert in your art medium.
Eye-catching Visuals
Of course, it should go without saying that an artist’s website should be brimming with eye-catching images. You might be shocked at how many art websites are missing clear, well-lit, high-quality images of the artworks on display.
There should be a number of methods to display your artwork, including a full-sized image of the artwork, close-up detail shots that highlight the textures and particular characteristics, and photographs of the artwork in various contexts. There are a plethora of applications and programs available that allow you to effortlessly display your artwork in a number of situations.
Photographs of yourself and your art studio can help you to humanize your art. Take your website visitors on a behind-the-scenes tour of your art studio.
Videos are also a good option. The inclusion of a welcome video on your home page is an excellent method to engage visitors and begin creating a relationship with them.
Make Your Calls to Action Very Clear
At every point on your website where you want the user to take some form of action, make a clear request for them to do so. Tell them exactly what they need to do and, if appropriate, give a link or a button that they may click to initiate the process.
Typical actions include purchasing your art, attending your art exhibit, enrolling in your class, subscribing to your newsletter, following you on social media, seeing other material, and leaving a remark.
You must take steps to compel your site visitor to take action, or you will lose the opportunity.
Make Your Policies and Other Important Information Easy to Find
Important information should be easy to find and understand. This includes contact information as well as your policies.
Be sure to make it easy for your collectors to contact you with questions. You can do this by publishing a contact form. If you’re comfortable, add your studio address and phone number.
Additionally, you should publish your policies on privacy, shipping, tax, wholesale, returns, and refunds. This will demonstrate that you are a legitimate artist who is experienced in selling art online.
Conclusion
A successful artist website satisfies the needs of your collectors in an easy-to-use, aesthetically pleasing presentation while maintaining a professional appearance.
Remember, they’ve come to your website to learn more about you and your art, and to determine whether or not they trust you enough to buy from you. Everything on your website should be written in such a way that it encourages them to say “yes.”
