Measuring Online Success

Already this month we've talked about the importance of having an online presence, whether that's your own website, listings on a marketplace like Etsy or accounts on Social Media. For those of you who are already active on these channels, kudos for expanding your exposure! And all of you just now getting started, I commend you for taking that leap! Online activity can be the difference between making art a side project or a full time career. And yet, how do you tell if your online efforts are making any difference? I imagine your end goal is Sales or Commissions so you can keep making more art, but how to do gauge your success in driving people closer and closer to buying? The answer in Analytics, and I can help with which metrics matter!

Choosing the Best Options for Selling Art Online

As we discussed last week, being active online can yield countless benefits, from establishing your reputation to making profitable connections. I can certainly empathize with any of you that feel your art has to experienced in person to entice a buyer, but don't discount the opportunities to be found online. I'd like to see you go from locally known to successfully selling your work all over. While it requires some setup and regular upkeep, having an online store can open the doors to new customers, commissions, shows and supporters. But how do you get started? Which of the different options are best for your work? Here are my thoughts on the benefits and drawbacks of having your own website versus an Etsy store versus one of the many other art marketplaces available to you.

Do Artists Need a Website?

The real question is whether or not you need an online presence, and the answer is YES! Its up to you to choose between a website, an Etsy store, a Facebook page or all three. The important thing is that you get your name out there and have a way for people to find you. Our world has become one of constant connectivity. While you may feel more confident about relationships you develop in person and sharing your artwork face to face, there's no denying that the online sphere can bring you shoppers and supporters in a more scalable manner. Online interaction doesn't replace real world connection, but it offers a supplement to help you cast a wider net and reel in more opportunities to share your work.

#1 Takeaway - All artists need an online presence, be it a website, Facebook / Instagram or online storefront like Etsy. Make yourself easy to find and convenient to contact!