Wondering how to sell your art online and make money? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, this guide will show you the best platforms and practical tips to start selling artwork globally. Making art is a joy, but it’s also exciting to have someone who appreciates your work and wants to buy it from you, especially if you hope to make it a career. To ease you into this journey, we’ll delve into the easiest ways to sell your art online. Finally, we will share tips for beginners on transforming the side hustle of selling art into a profitable business.

Types of Art Selling Mediums

  • Auction Websites

You can start selling art at online auctions. Creating an account is usually free and fairly easy. Keep an eye out for listing fees, transaction fees, final value fees, etc. Most of the fees are small, usually less than 3%, but they do add up. It’s not uncommon for the first few sales to barely break even. 

  • Online Marketplaces

Online art marketplaces are different from auction sites in that there is no bidding on artwork. Longer periods of time are also often used to list items. A listing on another site may remain live for weeks or months or until the item sells. The life of an auction item can last from a week to ten days, unlike listings on other sites. Art Smiley probably has the most recognition among online art marketplaces. Handmade items still make up a large portion of the sales at this site, which began as a place to sell handmade artwork. In addition to handmade items, it also included art and craft supplies.

  • Online Art Galleries

There are many similarities between digital galleries and online art galleries. By partnering with sponsors and providing email lists, they jury or curate applicants. They usually charge small application fees in order to pre-screen applicants.  Art galleries generally charge commissions (up to 50%), but purchases are made through digital galleries. Generally, artists package and ship work, although some online art galleries offer packing boxes. Art Smiley connects emerging artists with potential collectors by offering original art. Art Smiley is an online marketplace for artists around the world to showcase and sell their artwork online including paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography. Art Smiley accepts submissions from emerging and established artists in both two-and three-dimensional, photography and digital media.

  • Restaurants

If approaching a gallery doesn’t feel quite right yet, a coffee shop, restaurant, or other local business could provide a nice venue for your work.

  • Consignment Stores

Galleries tend to cater to a narrower audience than consignment stores. A gallery offers a much wider selection of items, whereas boutique shops cater to a specific population and tend to be more like antique shops. When you carefully match your type and style of artwork to each location, either can be a good place to sell artwork. Do not limit yourself when considering boutiques or consignment opportunities. Think outside of the box and reach out to the store manager!

  • Trade Shows

Trade shows are great for showcasing your work to people interested in your topic but not necessarily in your target market. Artists specializing in landscapes or florals may find success at home builder or home-improvement shows, or marine artists may find success at marine trade shows. Attending events can be expensive, but you’ll also have the chance to get to know people who might be interested in your work.

  • Art Fairs

Each artist used to anticipate going to workmanship fairs. There was an assortment of artist mediums, subjects, and styles in plain view at a workmanship fair, except if it was themed. That typically implied there were great groups, and individuals who visited the craftsmanship fairs came to purchase workmanship. These can, in any case, be extraordinary open doors for deals — simply do your exploration first. Search for yearly occasions in modest communities since modest communities will generally advance better, and their nearby events are more critical to their economies than artist fairs in bigger towns.

Tips to Selling Art Online

Tip #1: Make the best art

Make your artwork as good as you can. Nowadays, it’s so simple to start a business that many artists make the error of trying to sell artwork online. Before making even one sale, you don’t have to be an expert in your field, but you do need to have created enough work to be certain of the worth of your work. A finished object must also be able to tell if it is finished or not and if not, how to finish it.

Tip #2: To sell your art, only use the best images.

The artwork you publish will be the only painting potential customers see if you’re selling online. Photos of artwork should be well-lit and cropped to show only the artwork. Images should be high-resolution, and colours should be as true as possible. The resolution may always be decreased, but raising it while processing the artwork is never a good idea.

Tip #3: Ship sold items on time.

Shipping delays have the potential to ruin your reputation as a seller more than anything else. The best shipping time is two to three days.

Delays can occasionally not be avoided. However, this shouldn’t be your usual operating procedure. If there are any delays, inform your buyer right away. When calculating delivery schedules, be sure to account for the time necessary to prepare your art for packaging

Tip #4: Communicate with potential buyers.

Quickly respond to any questions that are posed. As soon as you become aware of any delays or other issues, inform current and future customers. Always prefer keeping customers informed to leaving them in the dark.

Start Selling Your Art Online Today – Explore the Best Platforms

We hope our recommendations will get you started in the right direction. It is important to remember that not every method of selling artwork is for every artist. If you want your art to be successful, you should “shop around” until you find the best sites for artists that are most suitable for your art. It is more productive to have one well-functioning art gallery than half a dozen ineffective ones.

FAQ

Is it free to sell art in online galleries?

Yes! Art Smiley allows artists list their work for free. There are no upfront fees, so you only pay a commission if a sale is made and there is no better way to show your art risk-free to a global audience.

How do I price my artwork for online sales?

Pricing is based on materials, hours, demand, and market trends. To establish a competitive price, check auction houses, online marketplaces, and galleries doing similar work. You should also remember the impact shipping and platform fees will have on profitability.

How do I choose the right platform to sell my art?

You must look for platforms that provide broad visibility, fair commission, and artist support. Art Smiley distinguishes itself by connecting artists with collectors worldwide, providing marketing help, and accepting various art forms, from paintings and sculptures to digital art.

Can I sell both physical and digital art online?

Yes! Art Smiley encourages physical and digital artwork, such as paintings, sculptures, photography and digital media.

How can I promote my artwork online?

Promotion is key to success! Art Smiley assists artists with exposure through exhibitions, social media marketing, and partnerships with interior designers and corporate clients. You can also use social media, and SEO-optimized descriptions to succeed in global reach.

Are there fees for selling art online?

Most of the platforms available online have fees associated with their usage like commission rates or listing fees etc. The transparent fee structure provides a fair earning for all pieces whose users enjoy the world market reach and marketing assistance.

Do I need to handle shipping when selling art online?

Yes, but Art Smiley streamlines the process by helping artists with packaging and shipping logistics. For global sales, Art Smiley helps ensure that artworks arrive safely and on time with buyers.

What type of art sells best online?

The most popular categories include paintings, sculptures, digital art, and photos. Buyers tend to buy more abstract, modern, and custom art. With Art Smiley, you can find a buyer for your artwork no matter where you live.