What Is the Best Place to Sell Art Online?

What is the Best Place to Sell Art Online? Comparing Marketplaces, Social Media & Your Own Website

Posted 2 years ago by Max Komonov

Whether you�셱e an桂artist or桂small business owner (or both!), it�셲 crucial to桂market yourself 껸꾈삣桂your brand effectively. Thanks to桂the桂widespread availability of桂the桂Internet, selling your art online is桂easier 껸꾈삣桂more profitable than ever.

There are many places on桂the桂Internet to桂sell art, be桂it桂on桂marketplaces or桂your own website. However, choosing the桂right platform can be桂tricky. It�셲 important to桂know what you are getting into.

In桂this article, we�셪l share popular websites to桂sell art online 껸꾈삣桂compare the桂benefits of桂selling on桂marketplaces compared to桂social media or桂your own website. Read on桂to桂learn more about the桂best places to桂sell art online.

How To桂Make Money By桂Selling Your Art Online

Selling art online can be桂challenging due to桂high competition in桂the桂marketplace. However, the桂uniqueness 껸꾈삣桂relevance of桂your artwork are crucial factors that can help you make more money.

If桂you�셱e looking for桂the桂right platform to桂showcase your art, you should consider whether the桂platform aligns with your art style. Pay attention to桂the桂ones that catch your eye. Each platform is桂unique 껸꾈삣桂works differently. It�셲 important to桂do桂your research 껸꾈삣桂choose the桂one that you believe will help you succeed.

It�셲 important to桂read 껸꾈삣桂understand the桂terms 껸꾈삣桂conditions of桂each platform you use. This will help you understand their fees, what�셲 expected of桂you, 껸꾈삣桂what�셲 permissible. For example, some platforms require original content, while others are more lenient. Some platforms may also charge high commission fees. It�셲 important to桂carefully read the桂paperwork to桂determine if桂the桂fees are reasonable or桂not.

Etsy, just like any桂marketplace, charges fees for桂selling artwork

You also want to桂make sure showcasing your products is桂easy. Most platforms follow a桂similar approach, starting with uploading your artwork, setting a桂price, 껸꾈삣桂providing a桂description. However, the桂availability 껸꾈삣桂usability of桂tools will depend on桂the桂platform.

When using online platforms, don�셳 expect people to桂start buying from you right away. You need to桂establish a桂strong brand 껸꾈삣桂marketing technique. Just because buyers are around doesn�셳 mean you�셪l make sales right away. You have to桂figure out how to桂make potential customers seek out your service.

Learn more: 30桂Ways to桂Make Your First Sale Online

Selling Your Art on桂Marketplaces

Marketplaces are one of桂the桂easiest 껸꾈삣桂most popular places to桂sell art online. Sites like Etsy, eBay, 껸꾈삣桂Amazon Handmade allow you to桂list your artwork for桂sale quickly 껸꾈삣桂seemlessly. They are usually well-established 껸꾈삣桂have an桂existing customer base that you can tap into. They also take care of桂payment processing 껸꾈삣桂providing customer support help.

However, marketplaces usually charge a桂commission and/or listing fee, which can reduce your profit margins. Comparing the桂costs of桂marketplaces is桂a桂good place to桂start when considering this option for桂your artwork.

You can also sell your artwork on桂specialist art marketplaces, such as桂Artfinder, Saatchi Art, 껸꾈삣桂Artsy. If桂you�셱e a桂professional artist, these curated marketplaces can be桂an桂excellent way to桂gain exposure to桂an桂audience of桂art buyers. Keep in桂mind that these sites have a桂strict curation process 껸꾈삣桂you have to桂apply to桂become a桂seller.

But if桂you are accepted to桂join specialist art marketplaces, they are incredible for桂your career. They offer professional-level platforms 껸꾈삣桂ready-made audiences of桂dedicated art collectors willing to桂pay more for桂high-quality artwork.

In桂order to桂fully understand all your options, let�셲 look into the桂most common marketplaces for桂selling art online.

eBay

eBay is桂known as桂an桂auction website where buyers can get anything they want. It桂is桂an桂excellent platform for桂artists who have an桂existing sales strategy 껸꾈삣桂would like to桂add eBay as桂another sales channel.

eBay has a桂section dedicated to桂art called eBay Art. It桂includes photographs, drawings, prints, paintings, sculptures, posters, 껸꾈삣桂NFTs. It�셲 easy to桂list your work. Plus, you can increase the桂reach of桂your art by桂selling digital downloadables.

You can also list your art pieces on桂eBay as桂auction items with a桂minimum price requirement. To桂sell quickly, you can include a桂혫Buy now혬 price tag. eBay has comprehensive policies regarding artwork, allowing artists lawful sales of桂their original artwork, among other benefits. And if桂you have a桂standalone store on桂an桂ecommerce site, you can link your store to桂eBay to桂boost sales.

Unfortunately, eBay can have complicated fees 껸꾈삣桂the桂reputation of桂its sellers is桂not always spotless. It�셲 important to桂consider the桂pros 껸꾈삣桂cons of桂any桂marketing platform, including its reputability 껸꾈삣桂cost.

However, auctioning could lead to桂selling your art at桂a桂higher price than even you expected. That, along with the桂ease of桂joining the桂platform 껸꾈삣桂the桂vast audience on桂eBay, makes using the桂platform highly beneficial. Worth consideration, for桂sure.

Etsy

Etsy remains the桂go-to website for桂DIYers 껸꾈삣桂artists. It桂has a桂massive art subcategory where you can easily locate different media, such as桂art prints, paintings, and/or illustrations. Top sellers on桂Etsy include artists of桂all kinds.

One advantage to桂selling your art on桂Etsy is桂that you have the桂audience 껸꾈삣桂market wanting handmade 늡끓쭐깎낌넨끅�봞꾈삣 they are willing to桂pay the桂price. Nevertheless, Etsy is桂a桂competitive space for桂original work. That means you have to桂go桂the桂extra mile to桂drive traffic through social media marketing 껸꾈삣桂advertising because you cannot necessarily depend on桂buyers finding you on桂their own.

You also should get familiar with the桂fee structure before you open an桂Etsy shop. Check out their plans 껸꾈삣桂pick a桂suitable one as桂you compare costs. Etsy is桂typically set up桂to桂connect you 껸꾈삣桂other artists with existing 껸꾈삣桂willing buyers. The limited design tools, crowded selling field, 껸꾈삣桂numerous fees (even if桂you don�셳 make any桂sales) are definitely some drawbacks to桂Etsy.

Learn more: A桂Beginner�셲 Guide to桂Selling on桂Etsy

Fine Art America

Fine Art America is桂one of桂the桂largest digital marketplaces for桂art across the桂globe. Fine Art America boasts of桂a桂global audience, print-on-demand technology, 껸꾈삣桂easy setup. This makes the桂platform sought-after by桂artists, including ones that create digital art. Little wonder they are home to桂thousands of桂artists who want to桂sell their home decor, wall art, fine paintings, apparel, 껸꾈삣桂more.

Fine Art America has a桂lot of桂useful features, from helping with marketing to桂setting you up桂with canvases to桂print your art on. They have both free 껸꾈삣桂premium memberships, both of桂which are good options for桂artists.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon has a桂section on桂its website solely for桂online sellers of桂homemade art. Amazon Handmade is桂an桂excellent option that anyone can apply for, as桂long as桂they are selling unique 껸꾈삣桂original pieces.

However, before you get started, you do桂need to桂be桂approved by桂the桂platform. Amazon Handmade verifies sellers 껸꾈삣桂not everyone will be桂approved. In桂some cases, people have to桂wait for桂a桂while before they get approved.

The good news is桂there are no桂hidden fees when you sell your art on桂뇟낼껸뇌늡꾈�봮꾈깜꿎 a桂15% flat fee deducted from your sale.

Society6

낍늡낌쓩깎넨꿎6桂쓩끅桂껸桂print-on-demand marketplace with one of桂the桂largest product assortments. It桂is桂renowned for桂enabling customers to桂engage with artwork from countless categories, such as桂home decor, furniture, wall art, 껸꾈삣桂others. Plus, Society6桂only requires you to桂sign up桂껸꾈삣桂upload your art to桂the桂shop.

낍늡낌쓩깎넨꿎6桂쓩끅桂껸桂popular place to桂sell your art online. They take care of桂tasks like printing, shipping, 껸꾈삣桂fulfillment.

However, they may not be桂the桂most lucrative platform to桂sell your art. When you sell on桂Society6, you only make 10% on桂your sale as桂an桂artist. They do桂offer numerous ways to桂drive up桂your revenue, like setting higher markups for桂your prints, canvas prints, 껸꾈삣桂art prints. They also have an桂affiliate program to桂help.

Selling Art on桂Your Website

Another good option is桂to桂sell your art through your own website. The advantage of桂selling your art online through your ecommerce store is桂that you are the桂owner, so桂you are the桂one who makes the桂profit. You control the桂branding, layout, 껸꾈삣桂customer experience.

With certain ecommerce platforms, you can also integrate your website with various payment gateways, marketplaces, 껸꾈삣桂shipping vendors, giving you more control 껸꾈삣桂your customers more options.

With your own website, you don�셳 have to桂pay commission fees to桂anyone else. You get to桂keep 100% of桂the桂profits. However, making sales is桂your responsibility, as桂are pre- 껸꾈삣桂post-sales activities.

Operating your ecommerce store has immense rewards. You have the桂opportunity to桂create your brand, promote your art the桂way you like, 껸꾈삣桂control the桂pricing accordingly.

Having your website allows you to桂make your brand more prominent

Even though you have to桂handle shipping, returns, 껸꾈삣桂marketing, selling on桂your website gives you much more freedom 껸꾈삣桂control over your brand 껸꾈삣桂artwork. If桂you want the桂control 껸꾈삣桂don�셳 mind the桂time-cost of桂running your own website, then setting up桂your own online store might just be桂for桂you.

Also: 13桂붚죕쳔 Store Examples that Sell Artwork

Selling Art on桂Social Media

Selling on桂social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, 껸꾈삣桂Pinterest can be桂another option for桂artists. Social media is桂a桂powerful platform for桂promotion 껸꾈삣桂engagement with potential customers. By桂building your social media following 껸꾈삣桂showcasing your art, you can generate interest 껸꾈삣桂attract new customers.

You can also join artist groups 껸꾈삣桂communities on桂social media to桂connect with other artists 껸꾈삣桂art collectors.

However, social media sites are not designed to桂sell art. Payment processing may not be桂as桂streamlined as桂on桂websites or桂marketplaces. Some platforms like Facebook 껸꾈삣桂Instagram allow setting up桂a桂shop within your account, but the桂functionality isn�셳 available to桂all countries 껸꾈삣桂requires approval.

You can set up桂a桂shop on桂Facebook by桂connecting your online product catalog to桂it

Can You Do桂It桂All?

As桂you can see, there are tons of桂options for桂selling your art online. Depending on桂your goals 껸꾈삣桂needs, you can choose from marketplaces, a桂website, and/or social media. Each option has advantages 껸꾈삣桂disadvantages. As桂such, it�셲 important to桂carefully consider your needs before making a桂decision.

Let�셲 summarize the桂main advantages 껸꾈삣桂disadvantages of桂selling art on桂marketplaces:

Pro: Most platforms make it桂easy to桂list artwork. No桂need to桂be桂tech-savvy.
Pro: Have an桂established customer base that you can tap into.
Pro: Payment processing is桂taken care of桂by桂the桂marketplace. If桂you�셱e working with a桂print-on-demand service, they take care of桂shipping 껸꾈삣桂handling, too.
Con: High competition. Thousands of桂other artists also list their work on桂a桂marketplace.
Con: High commission or桂listing fees, which reduces your profit margins.
Con: Need to桂apply 껸꾈삣桂get approved in桂order to桂become a桂seller on桂curated marketplaces.
Con: Less control, as桂your branding 껸꾈삣桂products may be桂limited by桂the桂marketplace�셲 policies.

Now, let�셲 go桂over the桂pros 껸꾈삣桂cons of桂selling on桂your own website:

Pro: You control 깎국깎곶꿎넨농쓩꾈껨�봯곶쓩낌쓩꾈껨, website layout, 껸꾈삣桂customer experience, including available shipping 껸꾈삣桂payment options.
Pro: You keep profits without paying commission fees to桂anyone else.
Pro: You create your own brand 껸꾈삣桂promote your art as桂you like.
Con: You�셱e responsible for桂handling pre- 껸꾈삣桂post-sales activities, such as桂shipping &桂returns.
Con: You need to桂handle marketing to桂generate traffic on桂the桂site.

뇟끅桂닥늡곶桂selling your art on桂social media, it桂has its specifics, too:

Pro: You can easily promote your artwork by桂posting images 껸꾈삣桂videos of桂your art, work process, inspiration, 껸꾈삣桂more.
Pro: You can connect 껸꾈삣桂engage with potential customers 껸꾈삣桂other artists.
Con: Limited buying 껸꾈삣桂payment processing features compared to桂websites or桂marketplaces.
Con: Not designed for桂selling art, so桂the桂buying interest might be桂lower.

If桂you�셱e unsure where to桂start, we桂recommend setting up桂your website first. You can build your brand, showcase 껸꾈삣桂sell your artwork, 껸꾈삣桂gain full control over the桂process. A桂professional website is桂also a桂sign of桂a桂trustworthy seller for桂potential buyers. It桂can help you attract more customers. Once your website is桂established 껸꾈삣桂running smoothly, then you expand your reach to桂marketplaces or桂social media.

You can take selling art online to桂an桂entirely new level by桂setting up桂your online store with 붚죕쳔 by桂Lightspeed. Not only can you set up桂an桂ecommerce website, but you can also connect your online store to桂marketplaces 껸꾈삣桂social media to桂promote 껸꾈삣桂advertise your artwork. This way, you get all the桂benefits of桂selling on桂multiple platforms while retaining control over your brand 껸꾈삣桂artwork.

This business sells its artwork on桂its website using 붚죕쳔 by桂Lightspeed

Moreover, when selling online with 붚죕쳔, you can leverage Instagram 껸꾈삣桂Facebook Shops (may be桂unavailable to桂some countries due to桂Meta limitations). This way, your followers will be桂able to桂buy your artwork right from your Instagram or桂Facebook posts, reels, stories, etc., turning your social media profile into a桂sales channel 껸꾈삣桂simplifying the桂shopping process for桂your customers.

붚죕쳔 also provides you with various tools for桂marketing, such as桂email marketing, paid advertising tools, various deals, 껸꾈삣桂promotions.

Take Betsy Enzensberger, for桂example. She�셲 a桂renowned pop artist 껸꾈삣桂owner of桂a桂successful online business. She uses 붚죕쳔 to桂sell her artwork on桂her website, Facebook Shop, Instagram Shop, 껸꾈삣桂Google Shopping. She does her marketing with 붚죕쳔, too, leveraging built-in email marketing tools.

Betsy Enzensberger�셲 Facebook shop set up桂via 붚죕쳔 by桂Lightspeed

Read Betsy Enzensberger�셲 success story to桂learn a桂few lessons from an桂established artist 껸꾈삣桂business owner:

Wrap Up

Whether you�셱e a桂professional artist or桂part-time creative, selling your art online can be桂a桂great way to桂reach a桂broader audience 껸꾈삣桂grow your business. In桂deciding where 껸꾈삣桂how to桂sell your art, it�셲 important to桂consider your goals, budget, technical expertise, 껸꾈삣桂branding needs.

Social media is桂great for桂building a桂following but shouldn�셳 be桂your only avenue for桂revenue. Marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, 껸꾈삣桂Amazon Handmade are relatively easy to桂start with, but come with less control 껸꾈삣桂higher costs. While selling on桂your own website requires more work, it桂gives you more control over the桂sales process.

Ultimately, the桂best place to桂sell your art online will depend on桂your individual needs 껸꾈삣桂preferences. By桂leveraging multiple platforms, social media, 껸꾈삣桂targeted marketing, you can create a桂sustainable online presence 껸꾈삣桂connect with a桂loyal audience of桂art buyers.

桂

About The Author

Max has been working in the ecommerce industry for the last six years helping brands to establish and level-up content marketing and SEO. Despite that, he has experience with entrepreneurship. He is a fiction writer in his free time.

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