We have updated our top 10 essential elements of an artist website, first published a bit over a year ago.  We have changed the list slightly to reflect today's landscape and the more widespread adoption of RSS technology.  So, as of today, the top 10 essential elements of an artist website are:

1.  A Domain Name Containing Your Own Name

2.  Clean and Consistent Design

3.  Easy, Text-Based Navigation

4.  Contact Information on Every Single Page

5.  A Join Email List link that handles subscriptions automatically

6.  Large Portfolios are divided into collections

7.  Buying is easy for the customer

8.  High-Quality Images

9.  Site information is Always Current

10. An RSS Feed of your new artwork

We added number 10, the RSS Feed as an essential element.  It replaces our previous number 10 item "current biography", which is really just a sub-category of number nine anyway.

To learn why RSS is important, read:
Feed your artwork to your fans with RSS

Sincerely,

Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic

PS - Of course, our service, FineArtStudioOnline, facilitates as many of these items as possible...including automatic RSS feeds.