If you’re ready to take your art business to the next level, you’re ready for a website. WordPress is a fabulous choice for your website platform.
Your website should become the centre of your art business. It is where you control the narrative and the visual representation of your art. Regardless of whether you have gallery representation or not, or if you change styles or mediums—it doesn’t matter because your work will always be found in the same place—your website.
Setting up your own artist website | First Steps:
- Register a DOMAIN NAME. Try for your name .com or .ca (or both). If that isn’t available you can add “art” or “artist” to the end of your name
- Sign up for HOSTING. We recommend WordPress Managed Hosting. It is the easiest and fastest option for creating a space for you to develop your website among other benefits.
Your Home Page
When a visitor lands on your website home page they should clearly see:
- Your Name
- A representation of your Art and a call to action button that leads viewers to see more
- An invitation for them to sign up and join your mailing list. MailChimp is a good free way to build a mailing list.
- Links for visitors to follow your Social Media posts (Instagram / Facebook)
Your Art Website can also include a CV/Artist Bio page and a Contact page.
Your Art Portfolio
Spend some time organizing your online art portfolio into bodies of work. Make sure that all of the paintings are equally strong and that the pieces look good together. It isn’t necessary to put every painting you’ve ever done up on your website. If you aren’t proud of the painting, don’t post it.
Plan to include a well written Artist statement for each body of work.
With WordPress, your website can even run an eCommerce shop using WooCommerce to sell your own artwork directly to your art collectors.
Use Your Mailing List
Don’t just grow your mailing list, use it to connect with your followers.
Every 6 weeks use MailChimp to send a simple note with one image to your followers. Keep the email short. Simply express what you’re currently doing and why you love what you do. Be sure to link back to your website.
Growing your email list, and sending regular, consistent reminders to people who care about what you are doing, is the best thing you can do to help your art career. Art consultants and galleries won’t do this for you. It is up to you.
WordPress for Artists
If you don’t have a WordPress website, check out the Build your Artist Website.
Currently, we are not running the WordPress for Artists in-person Workshop. Reach out if you are interested in online training.
