Website for Art versus an eCommerce Site

Since my last post I’ve received questions about the benefits of having a website versus an eCommerce site.

“Why should I have an eCommerce site? Can’t I just have a website to showcase my art?”

So, at the risk of boring some folks, let me just break it down.  Because I too had to learn this lesson.

If you are only interested in showing your work online, then by all means, just have a website.

But if you are interested in selling your work online, in this decade, you need an eCommerce solution.

Let me offer this analogy: what if you walked into a lovely store and you found something that you really wanted to buy.  It spoke to you. It inspired you. You just had to have it.  That’s how art collectors feel when they collect.

But you couldn’t buy it because they just don’t have a cash register in the store.

So a sign might say, call this number.  “Huh?  I don’t want to call that number.  I want to buy this now!  While I’m feeling it.”  Or… “it’s late, I can’t call that number now.”

That’s the kind of obstacle you are throwing your potential online collectors when you show your work on your website.  An art collector’s expectations are the same whether they are online or offline.

Art is most often an impulse buy.  You only have a narrow window to capture these sales.  So don’t make it hard on prospects.

Another online fumble is when an artist proudly displays their work, and yet they mark it as “sold.”

“What?  Why are you showing me this?  Do you want to prove to me that you have sold your art?”

Better to have an archive section for items that are no longer available for sale, because “I’m a collector.  I’m here because I want to know what I can collect from you, not what I can’t.”

eCommerce solutions range drastically in price, quality, and dependability.  But if you get the right solution, and your work is marketable,  it will pay for itself many times over by  generating additional income.

To learn more about the ArtistsWhoTHRIVE eCommerce solution, click here.

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Comments

  1. says

    An artists’ website without an ‘e-Commerce’ or shop page is a wasted sales importunity. An online-art buyer will make up their mind within 20 seconds to buy. IF they cannot buy from you, you loose that sale, another artist gains your lost sale…simply because the use ‘e-Commerce’. Now sign up for PayPal which is international and will rapidly handle the payments to you. Factor in shipping costs in your online shop…local, national & international…as I have done. One price for the UK, another for Europe and one for the USA/Canada all by a clock through the options…If I can do it it has to be very easy. See https://www.meltemiart.com online shop pages. You deserve your art sales e-commerce it now. Think? There is no gallery commission to pay. The sales income is all yours for minimal effort. Well only a small Paypal commission [1% approx?].

  2. says

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  3. us art galleries says

    An artists’ website without an ‘e-Commerce’ or shop page is a wasted sales importunity. An online-art buyer will make up their mind within 20 seconds to buy. IF they cannot buy from you, you loose that sale, another artist gains your lost sale…simply because the use ‘e-Commerce’. Now sign up for PayPal which is international and will rapidly handle the payments to you. Factor in shipping costs in your online shop…local, national & international…as I have done. One price for the UK, another for Europe and one for the USA/Canada all by a clock through the options…If I can do it it has to be very easy. See https://www.meltemiart.com online shop pages. You deserve your art sales e-commerce it now. Think? There is no gallery commission to pay. The sales income is all yours for minimal effort. Well only a small Paypal commission [1% approx?].

  4. Kaye says

    I’ve been following your work for awhile (subsc. to your email list), and I just want to say I really appreciate everything you’re doing. Thanks : ) K

  5. says

    Dear Ann,
    I have 2 art blogs ,one withe Blogspot and the other with WordPress. I checked out Squarespace,and I was wondering which would be better for selling my paintings with Ecommerce -Wordpress or Squarespace? Also any more suggestions for getting commissions? I’ve donated prints and paintings to various causes. I’m getting my name “out there” ,passing out cards ,letting people know the service I’m offering-paintings and also pet portraits,and I do have “buy it now” buttons on one of my blogs. I know other artists are selling..what am I not doing that I should be doing? Thanks Ann!

  6. says

    Adriana,

    Unfortunately there is no way that I can answer your general questions in the space of this box.

    Word Press and Square Space are excellent resources but it depends on your business requirements Either platform will work.

    What is much more important is your business and marketing plan.

    I also don’t know enough about you or your business to make any specific suggestions about your securing commissions.

    Read this blog for general tips and suggestions.

    My recommendation is that you book a phone consult, apply for coaching, or the 8-week course.

    https://makingartmakingmoney.com/

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