How to Sell Art Online: Pricing, Platforms and Shipping | Artblr
Effective ways to sell art online and generate income
From pricing your work to packing it for shipment, here are the key steps to start selling your paintings online.
Artblr··7 min read·
In short
To sell art online, first set a fair price based on materials, size, time spent and your market. Then choose a recognized platform or online gallery with strong exposure, describe each work in detail, ship it well protected with a certificate of authenticity, and ask buyers for feedback.
Good art has always been a cherished item with a lot of relevance and value. Since the dawn of civilization, good art has been bought and sold by people. In our contemporary times, there are many artworks that are being bought and sold for millions of dollars to individual and organizational recipients. When you consider the cost of paintings like Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da Vinci, you come to the realization that art is in fact very valuable and could be a lucrative source of income. However, it has long been difficult for the average individual to become actively involved in the profitable sales of art. The reason is that the requirements to become gainfully involved in the sales of art can be problematic and challenging for the average person. Organizing an art exhibition could be stressful, time consuming and expensive. Thankfully, individuals who would like to become actively involved in the sales of art to generate income can always do so online. You can sell original art online with no hassle whatsoever! If you are wondering how to sell art online and make money, it should be noted that it is quite easy. You can sell fine art online and generate reasonable income. If you are wondering how this is possible, this article offers a step-by-step approach on how to sell art online and make money. The first line of action is contained below.
The first line of action when trying to sell original art online is to determine a fair price for the artwork. To achieve this, you will have to consider the nature of the work of art, the materials used in making the work of art, the potential market for the artwork and more. Essentially, it is expected that you are able to determine the cost that went into the creation of the art while giving an accurate estimation of the effort and creativity that was involved as well. After this process, it is expected that you set a price that gives reasonable profit.
IDENTIFY A PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES HEIGHTENED EXPOSURE
Identify a platform that provides heightened exposure
Once you have determined the price of the artwork, the next line of action is to begin selling online. However, the process of selling art online is not as easy as it sounds. The foremost consideration would be to identify a suitable platform that will give your art maximum exposure. One of the best places to sell art online is an online gallery. One platform that guarantees both localized and worldwide exposure is artblr.com. The aforementioned site is just one of many sites that would make your artwork seen by the world. The aforementioned site offers an incredible opportunity for every artist to showcase their work and earn a reasonable income as well. You can easily begin showcasing your work on this platform without any hassle whatsoever. Just as stated earlier, there are plenty of other platforms like the aforesaid. All you have to do is carry out some online research to find the best sites to sell artwork online.
GET IN TOUCH WITH THE GALLERY
Get in touch with the gallery
When you find a site that can give your art maximum exposure and a heightened chance of conversion, it is time to get in touch with the gallery to see if they are fascinated by your art. When you are using a gallery, it is expected that some money will be deducted from the sales of the artwork. This money is referred to as commission and it would accrue to the agency for their service. It comes highly recommended that you get a gallery that charges competitive commission. For most artists, it is one of the top considerations when searching for a suitable gallery.
OWN YOUR PERSONAL WEBSITE
Own your personal website
If you are looking to sell fine art online without paying commission, then owning your personal website certainly offers a fantastic window. While creating your website should require a little bit of investment, you can be sure that you will be extricated from the need to pay commission once it is completed. When you own your personal site, it is expected that prospective clients would be transacting directly with you. However, it is worth mentioning that you must be actively involved in creating suitable designs and content that will make your artwork appear very attractive to potential clients. Selling original art online this way requires that you get the help of a website designer to make your site look great. In similar fashion, you will need an SEO strategist, digital marketer and social media advertiser to stimulate traffic and bolster sales. It is absolutely necessary to reiterate that when artists own a well-designed, world-class website, they are simply making their artwork available to the world to see.
MAKE YOUR ARTWORK SUITABLE FOR SHIPMENT
Make your artwork suitable for shipment
When you have your personalized website for your artwork, you can expect to have both local and foreign clients. A website gives you worldwide reach so you should be ready to make your product available to lovers of your work overseas. It is important to note that there are many factors to consider when trying to transport your artwork to far-flung corners of the earth. First and foremost, it is expected that you have provisions for shipment stated on your site. The information should contain the shipment options as well as the cost of getting the shipment to the recipient. Typically, extra fast delivery options would require additional payments. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that it is your duty to ensure that the artwork arrives in great shape. The only way to achieve this is by packaging the artwork in a way that it will remain unaffected by any potential damage caused by the mode of shipment. For most paintings, it is recommended to use several layers of bubble wrap for adequate protection. There is an assortment of materials you can use to ensure that your artwork is safe throughout shipment. All that is required is for you to choose your most preferred option. Another thing that must be included when shipping an artwork is a COA. COA is an acronym for certificate of authenticity, and it proves to the recipients of the artwork that they have bought original art.
GETTING RESPONSE FROM YOUR CLIENTS
Getting response from your clients
This is the last phase when selling a work of art online. It is only natural that your clients will have something to say to you about the artwork once they receive it. If they are happy with the artwork, you can be sure of a favourable response. There are also instances where you will be critiqued by a client. Your number one obligation is to make sure that you are willing to communicate happily with buyers and make sure that you incorporate their positive suggestions so that you can continue to improve your service. You can be sure of repeat purchases once your clients are genuinely satisfied.
WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR WORK OF ART ON ARTBLR.COM
Many artists are intrigued by the immeasurable opportunities that are provided by the amazing platform. It should be noted that [artblr.com](/) is an international website that caters to artworks. This site was founded with the commitment to encourage the appreciation of some of the finest artworks globally while facilitating payment for artworks as well. When you consider that this site has been instrumental in promoting artists worldwide, you will begin to realize that it is an impressive site to showcase your work of art. Just like artblr.com, there are many sites that offer maximum level of exposure to artworks as well as heightened conversions. All that is required for you is to identify an online gallery that is well-suited to your needs. Some important considerations include the rate of commission, the popularity of the site, the traffic on the site and more.
While finding a great website to showcase your artwork is imperative, it is equally important that you are acquainted with ways to promote your artwork on the site. It is important to remember that your artwork will be competing with many other works in its art category. Therefore, there are considerations that must be met. Creating a story for your painting is always a step in the right direction. When you have a detailed description of your work and the inspiration behind your work, you can be sure that this would improve your listing while making your work more endearing to prospective clients. Make sure to communicate the motivation behind your work of art in the most engaging way. While many artists are oblivious to the fact, it is often the decisive factor when it comes to rankings, exposure, and eventual conversion. For those who know how to sell art online and make money, they will agree that this aspect is absolutely necessary.
Once you follow all of the aforementioned tips, you can be sure of a blissful experience.
Frequently asked questions
How do I price my artwork when selling online?
Consider the medium and materials, the size of the work, the time and effort it took, and what comparable artists charge in your market. Avoid undervaluing your work, even if you see it as imperfect.
Where is the best place to sell art online?
Choose a recognized platform or online gallery that attracts many visitors and gives your work wide exposure. Compare commission rates, the site's popularity and its traffic before you commit.
Should I sell my art through a gallery or my own website?
A gallery exhibits and sells your work in exchange for a commission. Your own website lets you sell directly without commission, but it requires an investment and works best once you already have an audience.
How should I package a painting for shipping?
Wrap the painting in bubble wrap, then pack it in a sturdy, made-to-measure box, ideally in several layers. Include a certificate of authenticity so the buyer knows the work is an original.
Why does an artwork description matter when selling online?
A detailed description that tells the story and inspiration behind the work makes it more appealing to buyers and helps it show up in search results.