- How To Start Selling Art Online for Beginners
- Getting Started
- Marketing Art Through Social Media
- Getting an Audience for Your Art
- Selling Art Online Through E-commerce Platforms
- For beginners, it is advisable to use third-party platforms such as Etsy, eBay or Deviant Art.
- When you are first starting to sell your art online; it is advisable to choose some affordable and free stores such as Etsy
- Storenvy is another online platform where artists can sell their art. Here’s some information about selling art on Storenvy:
- Selling art on DeviantArt can be a viable option for artists looking to showcase and monetize their work within a community of fellow creators and art enthusiasts.
- Production of Art
- Selling art on eBay can be a viable option for artists looking to reach a broad audience and sell their artwork online. Here’s how to get started:
- Shipping and Packaging
How To Start Selling Art Online for Beginners
If you are an artist or a creative person; harness your side hustle by making money online selling your art. In this article; I will be sharing some of the important tips and advice on how to get started. By the end of this article; you will know what to prepare for what to expect and how to better understand the roadmap to get your art marketing online. Bear in mind that; if done the right way you can earn thousands of dollars just from selling your art.
In this article; We will look into some of the most important things to consider to get one started.
Getting Started
The first is to get off your chair and get started. Some people think that they will get started when they know that they are perfectly fit to start. They think that they will learn everything all of a sudden. Others think that the best time to get started is when one will get hired and be told that their work is excellent and recommended. One needs to have the mindset and take this very first and long step. Every single person has a starting ground but though some people may have some vivid ideas of what they want in their plans; you may not have an idea of what you will be doing to get where you want but the best part is that you have got the talent which will be the driving vehicle to your destination. No one may know whether he/she will even make the first art sale. No one that’s so confident. Everyone just gets better by trial and error. You won’t if you never get started.
Marketing Art Through Social Media
The second step is setting up your art on social media platforms.
This art marketing strategy is one hundred percent free and this is the first step of getting art sales online. All you need to do is to start growing your social media audience and these are the most preferred social media platforms: Youtube, TikTok and Instagram. Even if one has a very small audience on these platforms; one can still make money from them but it takes time and a lot of hard work.
Getting an Audience for Your Art
The next places one can get an art audience and customers are trade shows and conventions. Most artists get their art sales from people they meet and develop relationships with.
Selling Art Online Through E-commerce Platforms
When venturing into the world of selling art online, leveraging e-commerce platforms can be a pivotal step in expanding your reach and growing your business. While setting up your e-commerce website is an option, beginners often find it advantageous to utilize third-party platforms initially. Here’s why:
- Ease of Use: Third-party e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, Big Cartel, or Squarespace, offer user-friendly interfaces and intuitive tools that simplify the process of setting up and managing an online store. As a beginner, you can quickly create a professional-looking storefront without the need for extensive technical expertise.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Many third-party e-commerce platforms offer affordable pricing plans, including free options with basic features. This allows you to minimize upfront costs and overhead expenses while testing the waters and gaining traction in the online marketplace.
- Built-in Features: E-commerce platforms come equipped with a range of built-in features and functionalities designed to support online selling. From customizable storefront templates and secure payment processing to inventory management and order tracking, these platforms provide all the essential tools you need to run your online art business efficiently.
- Scalability: As your art business grows, third-party e-commerce platforms offer scalability, allowing you to upgrade your plan and access advanced features to accommodate increased traffic, sales volume, and inventory management needs. This flexibility ensures that your online store can adapt and evolve alongside your business.
- Access to a Wider Audience: By listing your art on established e-commerce platforms, you gain access to a larger and more diverse audience of potential buyers. These platforms attract millions of visitors each day, increasing the visibility of your artwork and enhancing your chances of making sales.
While using third-party e-commerce platforms offers numerous benefits for beginners, it’s essential to research and compare different options to find the platform that best suits your needs and preferences. Consider factors such as pricing, features, customer support, and scalability when making your decision. Ultimately, choosing the right e-commerce platform can lay the foundation for your success in selling art online and help you reach your goals as an artist-preneur.
The third step to selling your art online is a free and premium e-commerce platform or you can set up one for your own art business.
There are numerous online platforms available for artists to sell their art, each offering its unique features, audience, and selling experience. Here are some popular options:
- Etsy: Etsy is a well-known marketplace for handmade, vintage, and unique goods, including artwork. Artists can set up their storefronts, list their art for sale, and reach a large audience of buyers interested in supporting independent creators.
- Saatchi Art: Saatchi Art is an online art gallery that connects artists with collectors around the world. Artists can create profiles, showcase their work, and sell original paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints directly to buyers.
- Redbubble: Redbubble is a print-on-demand platform that allows artists to upload their designs and artwork to be printed on a variety of products, including clothing, home decor, accessories, and stationery. Artists earn a commission on each sale of their designs.
- Society6: Similar to Redbubble, Society6 is a print-on-demand platform where artists can sell their artwork printed on various products. Society6 offers a wide range of products, from art prints and canvas prints to home decor and tech accessories.
- ArtPal: ArtPal is a free online gallery where artists can sell original artwork, prints, and digital downloads. Artists can set their prices, keep 100% of the profits from their sales, and gain exposure to a global audience of art buyers.
- Fine Art America: Fine Art America is an online marketplace for artists and photographers to sell their artwork as prints, canvas prints, framed prints, and more. Artists can customize their storefronts, set their prices, and receive payment for each sale.
- Big Cartel: Big Cartel is an e-commerce platform designed for independent artists and makers. Artists can create their online stores, customize their storefronts, and sell their artwork directly to customers.
- Artfinder: Artfinder is an online art marketplace that connects artists with buyers looking for original artwork. Artists can create profiles, list their artwork for sale, and receive exposure to a global audience of art collectors.
These are just a few examples of the many online platforms available for artists to sell their art. It’s essential to research each platform thoroughly, consider factors such as fees, audience, and features, and choose the platforms that best align with your goals and needs as an artist.
For beginners, it is advisable to use third-party platforms such as Etsy, eBay or Deviant Art.
Shopify
Ebay.
When you are first starting to sell your art online; it is advisable to choose some affordable and free stores such as Etsy
When you’re just starting to sell your art online, it’s wise to begin with affordable or free platforms to minimize costs and test the waters before committing to more significant investments. Etsy is an excellent choice for artists looking to establish an online presence and reach a wide audience without breaking the bank. Here are a few reasons why Etsy is a popular option for selling art online:
- Low Cost: Etsy offers a relatively low-cost way to start selling your art online. The platform charges a small listing fee for each item you list, along with a commission fee when your item sells. These fees are generally affordable and are only incurred when you make a sale.
- Easy to Use: Etsy’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for artists to set up their online storefronts, list their artwork, and manage their sales. You don’t need to be a tech expert to navigate the platform, making it accessible to artists of all skill levels.
- Built-in Audience: Etsy has a large and active user base of buyers who visit the site specifically to shop for unique, handmade items. By listing your art on Etsy, you can tap into this built-in audience and increase your chances of making sales.
- Customization Options: While Etsy provides a standardized storefront template, sellers have the flexibility to customize their shops to reflect their brand and style. You can add your own banner, logo, and product descriptions to create a unique and cohesive online presence.
- Community Support: Etsy fosters a supportive community of artists and artisans who share tips, advice, and resources to help each other succeed. You can participate in forums, join teams, and network with fellow sellers to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights.
Overall, Etsy offers a cost-effective and user-friendly platform for artists to sell their work online and reach a global audience. As you gain experience and grow your business, you can explore other selling platforms and strategies to further expand your reach and increase your sales. But for beginners, starting with Etsy is often a smart and practical choice.
Storenvy is another online platform where artists can sell their art. Here’s some information about selling art on Storenvy:
Storenvy is an e-commerce platform that allows independent artists, designers, and creators to set up their online stores and sell their products directly to customers. It offers a user-friendly interface, customizable storefronts, and a marketplace where shoppers can discover and purchase a wide range of unique and handmade items, including art.
Here are some key features and benefits of selling art on Storenvy:
- Easy Setup: Setting up a store on Storenvy is straightforward and doesn’t require any technical expertise. Artists can quickly create their storefronts, upload their artwork, and start selling to a global audience.
- Customization Options: Storenvy offers a range of customization options, allowing artists to personalize their storefronts to reflect their brand and style. From choosing a unique domain name to selecting custom themes and layouts, artists can create a professional and visually appealing online presence.
- Built-in Marketing Tools: Storenvy provides built-in marketing tools and features to help artists promote their stores and reach potential customers. These include social media integration, email marketing capabilities, and access to the Storenvy marketplace, where artists can gain exposure to a larger audience of shoppers.
- Commission-Free Sales: Storenvy operates on a commission-free model, meaning that artists keep 100% of the profits from their sales. Instead, Storenvy generates revenue through optional marketplace features and services, such as promoted listings and featured placements.
- Community Support: Storenvy fosters a supportive community of artists and creators, providing forums, groups, and resources where members can connect, collaborate, and share advice. Artists can learn from each other’s experiences, receive feedback on their work, and find inspiration for their projects.
Overall, Storenvy offers a user-friendly and cost-effective platform for artists to sell their art online. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting, Storenvy provides the tools, support, and resources you need to showcase your work, connect with customers, and grow your business in the competitive online marketplace.
Selling art on DeviantArt can be a viable option for artists looking to showcase and monetize their work within a community of fellow creators and art enthusiasts.
Here’s how you can sell art on DeviantArt:
- Create an Account: If you don’t already have one, sign up for a DeviantArt account. It’s free to join, and you’ll gain access to a vast community of artists and potential buyers.
- Set Up Your Gallery: Once you have an account, you can create your gallery and start uploading your artwork. DeviantArt allows you to categorize your work by type (e.g., digital art, traditional art, photography) and organize it into folders for easy browsing.
- Enable Prints: DeviantArt offers a feature called “Prints” that allows you to sell high-quality prints of your artwork. To enable Prints, navigate to the “Manage Prints” section of your account settings and follow the prompts to set up your print shop.
- Set Prices: When setting up your Print shop, you’ll have the option to set prices for different print sizes and formats. DeviantArt provides recommended pricing guidelines, but you have the flexibility to choose your prices based on your preferences and market demand.
- Promote Your Artwork: Once your Print shop is set up, you can promote your artwork to attract buyers. DeviantArt offers various tools and features to help you gain exposure, including journals, groups, and contests. You can also share your artwork on social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
- Fulfil Orders: When a buyer purchases a print of your artwork, DeviantArt handles the printing, packaging, and shipping process on your behalf. You’ll receive a portion of the sale price as royalties, which you can track through your account dashboard.
- Engage with the Community: In addition to selling artwork, DeviantArt offers opportunities to connect with other artists, receive feedback on your work, and participate in collaborative projects. Engaging with the community can help you build relationships, gain inspiration, and expand your reach as an artist.
Overall, selling art on DeviantArt can be a rewarding experience for artists seeking to share their work with a passionate and engaged audience. By showcasing your art, setting up a Print shop, and actively participating in the community, you can establish yourself as a successful artist on the platform.
The reason for starting up with the free services is that when you are a beginner; it is very hard to get your first sale especially when you have a very small audience and do not have any means to drive any significant traffic to your store.
So; when you are just starting to sell your art online, make sure to keep your business expenditure as lean as possible; to give yourself room to grow and create your customer base. Once you have established a considerable amount of audience people keep coming back to your online art store or on your social media platforms. Then I can recommend moving over to e-commerce stores such as Shopify or Ebay or even starting your e-commerce store from a web designer.
Production of Art
The next step is knowing how you are going to create or produce your art and meet your art demand. If you have absolutely no money to invest in making your art; I would recommend print-on-demand services like Printify etc.
These services sell your art inform of art prints for you; so you do not have to worry about keeping inventory and you do not have to invest by making the art prints that you do not know whether you will get the customer. If you would like to make the print for yourself; all you need is to locate a local best printing service near you. You can also start transferring your art on surfaces like fabric eg. T-shirts, caps or even ceramics using a heat transfer method known as sublimation. All you have to do is locate sublimation printing services near you or order a heatpress printing machine for yourself.
Leveraging print-on-demand services like Printify or Printful can be an excellent option for artists who want to sell their art without investing in inventory upfront. Here’s why print-on-demand services can be advantageous:
- No Upfront Costs: With print-on-demand services, you don’t need to invest in printing equipment or inventory. The printing is done on-demand, meaning products are only produced when an order is placed, saving you money on upfront costs.
- Variety of Products: Print-on-demand services typically offer a wide range of products to choose from, including art prints, clothing, accessories, home decor items, and more. This allows you to offer a diverse selection of products to your customers without the hassle of managing inventory.
- High-Quality Printing: Many print-on-demand services use high-quality printing techniques, such as digital printing or sublimation printing, to ensure that your artwork is reproduced accurately and with vibrant colours.
- Flexibility: Print-on-demand services offer flexibility in terms of design customization and product selection. You can easily upload your artwork, choose the products you want to sell, and customize product options such as size, colour, and material.
- Dropshipping Integration: Some print-on-demand services offer dropshipping integration, allowing you to automate the order fulfilment process. This means that orders are shipped directly to customers on your behalf, saving you time and hassle.
Overall, print-on-demand services provide a convenient and cost-effective way for artists to sell their art without the need for upfront investment in inventory or equipment. Whether you’re selling art prints, clothing, or other merchandise, print-on-demand services offer a streamlined and efficient solution for bringing your artwork to market.
Selling art on eBay can be a viable option for artists looking to reach a broad audience and sell their artwork online. Here’s how to get started:
- Create an eBay Account: If you don’t already have one, sign up for an eBay account. You’ll need to provide basic information and agree to eBay’s terms and conditions.
- Set Up a Seller Account: Once you have an eBay account, you’ll need to set up a seller account if you haven’t already done so. This involves providing additional information, such as your contact details and payment preferences.
- List Your Artwork: To list your artwork for sale on eBay, navigate to the “Sell” section of the website and follow the prompts to create a new listing. Be sure to include detailed descriptions, high-quality photos, and relevant keywords to attract potential buyers.
- Set Your Price: Determine the price for your artwork, taking into account factors such as its size, medium, condition, and market demand. You can choose to list your artwork at a fixed price or as an auction with a starting bid.
- Choose Your Selling Format: eBay offers several selling formats, including auction-style listings, fixed-price listings, and Best Offer listings. Choose the format that best suits your preferences and goals as an artist.
- Manage Your Listings: Once your artwork is listed for sale, monitor your listings regularly to respond to buyer inquiries, update listing information as needed, and manage any offers or bids that come in.
- Ship Your Artwork: When your artwork sells, carefully package it for shipping and send it to the buyer promptly. Be sure to use secure packaging materials and choose a reliable shipping method with tracking to ensure that your artwork arrives safely.
- Provide Excellent Customer Service: Maintain open communication with buyers, promptly address any questions or concerns they may have, and provide excellent customer service throughout the buying process to ensure a positive experience.
By following these steps and leveraging eBay’s platform, you can effectively sell your artwork online and reach a wide audience of potential buyers. Be sure to familiarize yourself with eBay’s seller policies and guidelines to ensure compliance and maximize your success as an eBay seller.
Shipping and Packaging
The next step that you may need to consider is packaging and the shipping of your art products. But if you are using a print-on-demand service; you do not have to worry because the print-on-demand company will handle the shipping on your behalf. But if you are selling art that you have created; shipping can be a very confusing task. For starters; it is recommended to use lightweight shipping supplies from your local supply store and a shipping company near you like the postal corporation for the delivery of your art products.