10 Irrefutable Reasons Why Artists Need a Website (and Why Social Media Isn't Enough)
There are countless benefits to creating and maintaining social media as an artist today, but truly, nothing compares to having a personal, official website for your audience to turn to. That’s exactly why today we’re going to run through why it’s so essential that every artist creates and maintains a website, and why simply putting up your work on social media isn't enough.
There was a time when businesses weren’t always convinced that they needed a website, seeing it as a nuisance, and not fully understanding the benefits of having one. Those days are long gone, and yet still, many artists shrug off the importance of having a website. Sure, if you’re a creative it’s unlikely that you think of yourself as a business, but if you’re trying to sell your work, or even just to get recognised within the art field, having a website is a non-negotiable. In today’s day and age, setting one up won’t take you very long at all — so there’s really very few excuses as to why you might not have one (yet).
‘But I’m already on Instagram!’, you might proclaim. Sure, Instagram is a fantastic visual tool that, when used wisely, can drum up huge amounts of followers and serve as a vehicle to selling your art. However, simply existing on Instagram is not enough. Today, we’ll talk you through why that is, and the benefits of having a website.
1. Copyright protection. Your art is a personal investment of time, money, and effort. Moreover, it is also your intellectual property. Having a digital library of your artwork will save you a lot of hassle in the event of copyright infringement, as you can present this record in court. In the UK, copyright in most artistic works lasts for the lifetime of the creator plus 70 years after their death. The duration of copyright differs depending on the type of work, whether it is published or unpublished or if the artist is unknown.
2. Stay relevant. Audience expectations for the arts have shifted in the digital age, with an increased appetite for immersive and interactive experiences that incorporate technology. If you want to stay relevant, you have to not only be online, but to also demonstrate your aptitude for tech.
3. Be visible and easy to contact. With contact forms and links to social media accounts, it can make it really easy for potential clients and businesses to contact you.
4. Full creative ownership of your space. On a social media site, you’re just one of many accounts that someone follows. And it’s an ever-changing feed. You’re just one post in a long string of stuff. Why would you not want your audience to take your art seriously and see it in the way that you choose to curate and show it? A website allows you to do exactly that.
5. Take advantage of blogging and SEO. An engaging, relevant blog is one of the best ways to increase your chances of showing up at the top of google search results, which is undeniably one of the most effective ways of generating traffic and, in turn, sales of your artwork.
6. Build an e-mail newsletter. People are much more likely to read an email than they are to see a post on social media.
7. Solidify your credibility. Having a website helps to build your credibility as a professional rather than a hobbyist. People expect to be able to find the website of a well-known artist, maker, or creative. If someone is looking for your website and discovers you don’t have one, this may send the wrong message. When you have a website, you can use this to build credibility in the digital space, and improve your real-world reputation as a result.
8. Drive sales. Having an online shop on your website ensures that people can buy your work through your website means sales can happen all year round, not just when you’re exhibiting.
9. Develop your personal brand. With millions of artists and photographers out there, it’s hard to stand out from the crowd. How your website is designed and what you feature shows the public – which includes art galleries, publicists, news organizations and potential buyers – who you are and what you’re all about.
10. Grow (and be a part of) a respected digital community. .art Domains offers an unmatched opportunity to be a part of an international art community, one that is instantly marked by a recognisable brand. Take advantage of this instantly identifiable collective and register for your domain today.
How to link your .ART domain to your Instagram account Read More How to link your .ART domain to your own YouTube channel Read More How to link your .ART domain to your website Read More
And a bonus… Enjoy freedom to live and work from anywhere! As long as you have a solid internet connection you can live virtually anywhere while you conduct your online art business online. And, if COVID-19 has taught us anything, is that it truly is possible to not have to be tied down to physical space, and still generate income.
