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As an artist, having a website can be a great way to showcase your work and connect with potential clients or fans. Before you start building your online portfolio, there are some important things to consider to ensure that your website is effective and professional. Once it becomes time to build your artist website, make sure to avoid these common mistakes.
Poor navigation and organization.
A common mistake I️ see artists make when they build their website is poor navigation and organization. Visitors should be able to easily find what they are looking for on your website, whether it's your portfolio, contact information, or upcoming events. Make sure to have a clear and organized menu that is easy to navigate, and consider using subcategories or filters to help visitors find specific pieces or types of artwork. Don't have too many clicks required to get a customer to where they need to go. Simultaneously, don't have "creative" names in your navigation. Be clear and direct. For example your about page should be titled something like "about" not "spend some time with me". Additionally, make sure to include a search bar to make it even easier for visitors to find what they need.
Unclear call to actions
One of the biggest mistakes artists make when building their website is not having clear call to actions. A call to action is a prompt that encourages visitors to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or purchasing a piece of artwork. Without clear call to actions, visitors may leave you site early or not act on something you want them too, making their visit quick and without purpose. You want to guide your visitors through your site and have them ultimately end up where you want them to: purchasing or joining your email list. Using call to actions like "click here" or "learn more" can help to achieve this goal.
Lack of high-quality visuals and images.
Your website is your online portfolio and it's important to showcase your artwork in the best possible way. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is using low-quality visuals and images. Blurry or pixelated images can make your work look unprofessional and unappealing. Similarly, dark or poorly taken photos of your work will not encourage people to buy it. Make sure to use high-quality images that accurately represent your artwork and showcase it in the best possible light. If you're not confident in your photography skills, consider hiring a professional photographer to take photos of your work. I️ like to hire a photographer to take about 10 images for my website and then I️ like to take the product shots myself. Read this blog for more photography tips.
Not treating your site like a storefront
Your artist website is essentially your online storefront, and it's important to treat it as such. This means making sure it's easy to navigate, visually appealing, and showcases your work in the best possible way. Avoid cluttering your website with too much information or too many images, as this can overwhelm visitors and make it difficult for them to find what they're looking for. Keep your website clean, organized, and easy to navigate. Consider your homepage as your store window. You want to update it seasonally so that your site is feeling fresh and visitors can expect to find something new.
Not including an about page or artist statement.
One of the biggest mistakes artists make when building their website is not including an about page or artist statement. This is a missed opportunity to connect with your audience and give them a deeper understanding of your work and creative process. Your about page should include a brief bio, your artistic background, and any notable achievements or exhibitions. Your artist statement should explain your artistic vision, inspiration, and the themes or concepts behind your work. Don't underestimate the power of a well-crafted about page and artist statement in building your brand and connecting with your audience.
Finally, make sure it is easy for people to contact you and ask you questions! You don't want to miss a sale because your website didn't have an easily accessible contact page.
I️ hope you enjoyed this article and I️ wish you the best of luck when it comes time to build your art site or improve the one you have. Learn more by heading to our podcast or membership!