This article is by Clint Watson,  former art gallery owner/director/salesperson and founder of FineArtViews. You should follow Clint on Twitter here.

Artist websites should make your artwork shine!

Don't clutter artist websites with "cleverness" like animation and moving visuals. Keep it simple and visitors will look at your artwork. A proper online presence for every artist begins with a good old-fashioned website. Your art website is your "home base", your "hub." If you branch out into other online tools...great...but individual artist websites are where art collectors begin and end when connecting with artists.  As such, make sure that your website utilizes a design that is clean and consistent.

Artists Websites - 5 Rules for Clean and Consistent Design

1. Navigation links should appear in same place on every page - don't make the navigation links move around the page and confuse people.

2. Page design should be consistent across the site

3. Design colors should be neutral or complimentary to artwork - again, let your artwork shine.  A great website design is like a great frame....it should improve the presentation of the artwork.  If your site visitors are commenting on how great your web site design is....then you probably need to simplify it to direct their attention to the art.

4. Large image on home page...and not much text.  Your site is about your art.  Pick your very best image and put it front and center on your home page.

5. No long paragraphs of instructions or too much wording.  People don't read online, they scan, so keep your text short.  (Your biography and blog posts may break this rule from time-to-time).

Artist Websites and Usability - Make Sure People Can Use It

If people get frustrated by your website then they'll leave.  Most of them won't return.  So follow these five simple rules to make sure that your website is easy to understand, easy to navigate and, most importantly, makes your artwork shine.


Sincerely,

Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic


PS - Since your artist website is your "home base",  you need to make sure that it includes certain information and features that art collectors have come to expect.

I've have been marketing art since 1989 and have had an online art marketing presence since 1996 . . . I have learned what works, what doesn't and what art buyers expect.

In 2001 I launched FineArtStudioOnline or FASO for artists who want to do their art website  site right!

>> Click here to use FASO for your artist website free for 60 days <<