Best Online Art Selling Platforms

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Saatchi Art
3. Etsy
4. Society6
5. Redbubble
6. Fine Art America
7. Shopify
8. ArtPal
9. FAQ Section

Introduction

Are you an artist looking to showcase your creativity and make a living from your art? The digital age has opened doors for artists worldwide, allowing them to reach a global audience from the comfort of their studios. In fact, the online art market has grown significantly, with reports from the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market pointing out that online sales of art nearly doubled to a record $12.4 billion in 2020. It's a clear indication that more artists and buyers are engaging online. But with myriad platforms available, choosing the right one to sell your art can be overwhelming.

In this blog post, we will explore the best online art selling platforms, what makes them unique, and how they can benefit you. By the end of this post, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of which platforms are best suited to showcase and sell your art, helping you turn your passion into a profitable venture. We’ll cover both well-known and niche platforms, so there’s something for everyone.

So let's dive in!

Saatchi Art

Overview

Saatchi Art remains one of the most prominent online galleries, boasting over 1 million artworks from 90,000 artists worldwide. It attracts millions of visitors each month, making it a highly trafficked platform for artists looking to gain visibility.

Pros

• Large Audience: With millions of monthly visitors, your art has a broad reach.
• Dedicated to Art: The platform is purely focused on artwork, ensuring visitors are genuinely interested in art.

Cons

• High Competition: The large number of artists means high competition.
• Commission Fees: Saatchi Art retains 40% of the sales, which could impact your profit margins.

Tips for Success

• Optimize Listings: Use high-quality images and detailed descriptions to stand out.
• SEO Best Practices: Implement SEO strategies within your profile and listings to attract more buyers within the platform.

Etsy

Overview

Etsy is renowned for its handmade, artistic, and vintage products. With over 4.3 million active sellers, it's a bustling marketplace perfect for artists to sell their creations.

Pros

• Built-In Audience: Etsy's user base is already interested in unique, handcrafted items.
• User-Friendly Tools: The platform offers several tools for setting up and optimizing your shop.

Cons

• Fees: There are various fees, including listing fees ($0.20 per item) and a 6.5% transaction fee, which can add up.
• Saturation: The platform's popularity means you’ll need to work hard to stand out.

Tips for Success

• Professional Images: Invest in high-quality photography to make your listings attractive.
• SEO Optimization: Utilize keywords in your product titles and descriptions.

Society6

Overview

Society6 allows artists to sell art prints and other items like mugs and pillows. It’s perfect if you want to diversify the media your art is printed on.

Pros

• Wide Product Range: The platform offers a variety of items for your art to be printed on.
• Artist Control: You can set your markup percentage, giving you control over your profit margins.

Cons

• Negative Feedback: Some artists complain about low profit margins due to production costs.
• Limited Visibility: Without strong marketing, it can be tough to get noticed.

Tips for Success

• Frequent Updates: Regularly update your shop with new designs.
• Promotional Efforts: Utilize social media to drive traffic to your Society6 store.

Redbubble

Overview

Redbubble is another print-on-demand platform that allows artists to upload their designs, which are then printed on various products, including clothing, stationery, and home decor.

Pros

• Ease of Use: Set up is straightforward, and the platform handles manufacturing and shipping.
• Global Reach: Redbubble has a large international audience.

Cons

• High Competition: Many artists and products make it difficult to stand out.
• Commission Fees: The platform takes a significant cut from your earnings.

Tips for Success

• Unique Designs: Focus on creating unique and high-quality designs.
• Marketing: Utilize Redbubble analytics to understand which products are performing well and adjust your strategies accordingly.

Fine Art America

Overview

Fine Art America (FAA) is a leading online marketplace for selling prints, home decor, apparel, and more. It supports a wide range of artists, from photographers to painters.

Pros

• Global Marketplace: The platform has a broad international audience.
• Print-On-Demand: FAA handles all the production and shipping processes.

Cons

• Quality Control Issues: Some artists have complained about print quality inconsistencies.
• Commission Fees: FAA charges both membership fees and takes a percentage of each sale.

Tips for Success

• Profile Optimization: Make sure your artist profile is thoroughly filled out and showcases your best work.
• Engagement: Frequently engage with the community and utilize FAA’s promotional tools.

Shopify

Overview

Shopify is a customizable e-commerce platform that lets you create your own online store. It's ideal for artists who want complete control over their brand and sales process.

Pros

• Total Control: You control every aspect of your store, from design to pricing.
• Integration: Shopify offers powerful tools and integrations for marketing, analytics, and more.

Cons

• Monthly Fees: Basic plans start at $29 per month, which can be expensive for newcomers.
• Self-Promotion Required: Success largely depends on your ability to drive traffic to your store.

Tips for Success

• SEO & Marketing: Focus on SEO and use marketing tools to drive traffic to your site.
• Professional Design: Invest in a professional design for your store to attract more buyers.

ArtPal

Overview

ArtPal is an artist-friendly platform offering a space for over 200,000 artists to sell a wide variety of art, including paintings, jewelry, ceramics, and photography.

Pros

• No Fees: ArtPal doesn’t charge any fees, allowing you to keep all your earnings.
• Print-On-Demand: Offers services where they handle printing and shipping.

Cons

• Less Traffic: The platform doesn't have as much traffic as larger sites like Etsy or Saatchi Art.
• Self-Promotion Needed: You'll need to work harder to draw attention to your work.

Tips for Success

• Marketing Strategies: Use social media and other marketing tools to promote your ArtPal gallery.
• Diversified Listings: Offer a variety of products to attract a wider range of buyers.

FAQ Section

How do I choose the best website for selling art?

The best website for you depends on what you’re looking for in a platform. If maximizing profit is your goal, choose platforms with low or no commissions. If visibility is your primary concern, go for platforms with a large user base like Saatchi Art or Etsy.

What are the best websites for beginners?

For beginners, Etsy and eBay are excellent choices due to their user-friendly interfaces and extensive resources for new sellers. ArtPal is also great because it has no fees, making it a low-risk option.

What is the most profitable way to sell art?

Selling art on your own website via platforms like Shopify can be the most profitable because you have complete control over pricing and don't need to pay commission fees to another platform.

With countless platforms available, finding the right one for your art can seem daunting. Start by defining your goals and what you want in a platform. Whether it’s the extensive reach of Saatchi Art, the user-friendly nature of Etsy, or the complete control offered by Shopify, there’s a platform for every artist. Happy selling!