Best Places to Sell Your Art Online

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Etsy: A Community for Creators
3. Amazon Handmade: Reach a Broader Market
4. Fine Art America: For Versatile Selling Options
5. Saatchi Art: Curated for Serious Collectors
6. Shopify: Build Your Own Brand
7. Pixpa: All-in-One Solution
8. Conclusion

Introduction

You're an artist with a world of creativity at your fingertips, but the prospect of selling your art online can feel daunting. How do you navigate the myriad of platforms available, and which ones will best serve your needs? Fortunately, the internet offers a host of avenues for selling art, each with its own unique strengths. In this post, we’ll explore the best places to sell your art online, taking into account factors like reach, ease of use, and potential income. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of where to start, how to manage, and how to excel in selling your artwork online.

Etsy: A Community for Creators

Overview

Etsy is a powerhouse when it comes to selling handmade, vintage, and unique goods, making it an excellent platform for artists. Launched in 2005, Etsy has grown into a global marketplace with millions of buyers looking for handmade and bespoke items.

Advantages

• Large Audience: Etsy's massive user base means your artwork has the potential to be seen by millions.
• Ease of Use: Setting up a shop on Etsy is relatively straightforward, and the platform offers extensive resources to help you succeed.
• Community Engagement: Etsy is known for fostering a supportive community of creatives and buyers.

Disadvantages

• High Competition: Because of its popularity, standing out on Etsy can be challenging.
• Fees: Etsy charges a $0.20 listing fee per item and takes a 5% commission on each sale, plus a payment processing fee of 3% + $0.25.

Key Takeaway

Etsy is ideal for artists who are just starting out and want to tap into an existing community of buyers. Make sure to use high-quality images and engaging descriptions to make your products stand out.

Amazon Handmade: Reach a Broader Market

Overview

Amazon Handmade is Amazon's dedicated section for handmade goods, including artwork. This platform allows you to leverage Amazon’s extensive reach and easy integration with its broader retail ecosystem.

Advantages

• Global Audience: Amazon's vast user base offers the potential for high visibility.
• Trust Factor: Amazon's reputation can instill trust in potential buyers.
• Fulfillment Options: You can use Amazon's fulfillment services to handle shipping and logistics.

Disadvantages

• Approval Process: Sellers must apply and be approved to join Amazon Handmade.
• Higher Fees: Amazon Handmade charges a 15% referral fee per sale, which is higher than many other platforms.

Key Takeaway

Amazon Handmade is best for artists looking to reach a wider, potentially more commercial audience. Its fulfillment services can also save you time and effort.

Fine Art America: For Versatile Selling Options

Overview

Fine Art America offers a mix of traditional gallery features and print-on-demand services. This platform is particularly suited for artists who want to sell originals as well as prints and other merchandise.

Advantages

• Multiple Product Formats: Sell your art as prints, t-shirts, phone cases, and more.
• Keep Your Markup: You set the markup above the base price, allowing you to control your profit.
• Digital Downloads: Earn revenue from digital downloads, keeping 100% of your asking price.

Disadvantages

• Base Fees: The platform sets a base price for each product, which may affect your overall pricing strategy.
• Commission on Physical Sales: On original artwork, you keep 100% of the sale, but there are commissions on other products.

Key Takeaway

Fine Art America is excellent for artists looking to diversify their income streams. It offers substantial flexibility with product options and pricing.

Saatchi Art: Curated for Serious Collectors

Overview

Saatchi Art is an online art gallery that caters to serious art collectors and enthusiasts. With a reputation for high-quality, original art, it serves as a robust platform for both emerging and established artists.

Advantages

• High Visibility: Saatchi Art's curation process helps your art gain serious exposure.
• Supportive Services: The platform handles logistics, including shipping and insurance.
• Global Reach: Sell to collectors from over 80 countries.

Disadvantages

• Commission Fees: Saatchi Art takes a 35% commission on sales, which is relatively high.
• Application Process: Getting your art listed requires approval from the platform’s curators.

Key Takeaway

Saatchi Art is ideal for artists looking to reach serious collectors and art enthusiasts. Its support services can simplify the sales process, despite the higher commission fees.

Shopify: Build Your Own Brand

Overview

Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows you to create your own online store. This platform offers extensive customization options and marketing tools, making it a preferred choice for artists looking to build a distinct brand.

Advantages

• Full Control: Complete control over your store’s look and feel.
• No Listing Fees: Unlike many marketplaces, Shopify does not charge listing fees.
• Scalable: Shopify’s tools can scale with your business as it grows.

Disadvantages

• Monthly Fees: Shopify charges a subscription fee, with plans starting at $29 per month.
• Marketing Effort: You will need to invest time and resources into marketing your store to drive traffic and sales.

Key Takeaway

Shopify is perfect for artists who want full control over their online presence and are willing to invest in marketing their store. It’s best for those ready to build a lasting, recognizable brand.

Pixpa: All-in-One Solution

Overview

Pixpa is a website builder tailored specifically for creatives. It combines portfolio hosting, e-commerce, and marketing tools in one platform, simplifying the process of selling art online.

Advantages

• Specialized Templates: Hundreds of templates designed for artists and photographers.
• No Code Required: Easy to use with no coding skills needed.
• All-In-One: Offers e-commerce functionalities along with portfolio hosting and marketing tools.

Disadvantages

• Subscription Fees: Paid plans start at about $8 per month, with higher plans required for selling art.
• Limited Customization: While flexible, it offers less customization compared to fully-fledged platforms like Shopify.

Key Takeaway

Pixpa is ideal for artists looking for an all-in-one, user-friendly solution that covers everything from portfolio presentation to e-commerce.

Conclusion

Selling art online offers endless opportunities, but choosing the right platform is crucial. Whether you’re looking to tap into an existing community on Etsy, leverage Amazon's massive audience, or build your brand on Shopify, there is a platform suited to your needs.

Remember:

• Etsy is great for beginners.
• Amazon Handmade provides extensive reach.
• Fine Art America offers versatile product options.
• Saatchi Art targets serious collectors.
• Shopify allows for complete control and brand building.
• Pixpa serves as an all-in-one solution for creatives.

FAQs

Q: Can I sell on multiple platforms at once? A: Yes, many artists use multiple platforms to maximize their reach and sales.

Q: How do I price my art online? A: Consider your costs, including materials and time, as well as market demand and platform fees.

Q: Are there any free platforms for selling art? A: While most platforms have some fees, you can use social media (like Instagram or Facebook) to promote and sell your art for free, although this requires more effort in marketing.

Q: What type of art sells best online? A: This varies, but prints, original paintings, and custom work tend to do well. Focus on what's unique about your art to attract buyers.

Q: Do I need to handle shipping myself? A: It depends on the platform. Some, like Amazon, offer fulfillment services, while others might require you to manage shipping.

By thoughtfully choosing the right platform(s), you can effectively showcase your art to a global audience, streamline sales, and grow your creative business. Happy selling!