Should you post the prices of your artwork on your website? Yes.
I thought perhaps if the answer from an actual art buyer was posted here, it would help to settle this question once and for all.
AJ Holliday wrote on Denise Hall's Blog:
Speaking from the buyer's side of the transaction, I absolutely agree (almost demand) that artists put prices on their works. It's not just a matter of buying online; I also plan my vacations to get to places with galleries that show artists that I have liked. I'm not going if I don't know I can afford a purchase.
As a second point, it's both mystifying and offensive when artists are coy about their prices. It's mystifying because--as you have said yourself, Denise--why would you make it harder for people to buy your stuff? One artist said "I don't put prices on my work because I want people to contact me." To that artist and to those who share that motive: I'm not going to do that! If there is something crass and embarrassing about associating art with money, don't make the buyer shoulder the embarrassment(unless, of course,you would rather not sell than be embarrassed yourself, but then, why do you say they're for sale?) Do these artists really want to get an e-mail just says "How much is it?"
When artists do not put prices on their art, I am somewhat offended because I don't think the artist is being completely honest with me. "Price upon request" is the pricing system for haggling, and it makes me feel like the artist wants to be able to change the price for different buyers.
I still look at websites that have no prices; I'd miss too much beautiful art otherwise. Those sites help me grow in the ways I appreciate paintings, but those artists should not expect a sale from a buyer like me. [source]. (emphasis added)
There really is no reason at all not to post your prices, except in the instance that you really don't want to sell your art and are displaying it online for other reasons.
I suspect that often prices aren't posted because some artists haven't done the hard thinking required to set firm prices for all of their works - do that hard work! Don't lose sales simply because you neglected to do a bit of up-front calculating and thinking.
Sincerely,
Clint Watson
Software Craftsman and Art Fanatic
via faso.com
I remember reading an excellent article on this subject by Marsha Robinett, from the perspective of one artist visiting another artist's website. Wow. I just looked at the date on it--must have made an impact on me that I remembered it from way back then.
http://marsharobinett.com/blog/5861/an-artist-lost-a-sale-todaywas-it-you
Yup, definitely a worthwhile click.
Later, Cooper