Artists wonder, should I put prices on my website? This opens the proverbial can of worms. When you ask, more questions squirm out. First, what is your selling strategy? You need to decide, since some choices conflict with others. If you’re seeking gallery representation, don’t put prices on your website. Most galleries see this as an amateur move, thinking that you intend to compete with or undermine their efforts. Instead, put a note on your contact page that explains how to reach you for price information. Should prices on your website be clearly visible? YES. Whether you’re selling originals, prints, workshops, art tours, or any other product, be clear about the cost. When you make people search, they think you’re hiding something, or that your prices will be too high. Be transparent. Should you give people lots of choices? NO. Photographers (and other artists selling prints) seem to think that people want an infinite variety of images, available in different sizes and formats. This gives people too many decisions to make, and they get overwhelmed. Have a shop with a curated selection of works, with limited choices in size and format. Then give step-by-step instructions so that it's quick and easy to buy. Should you sell through an online gallery? Maybe. There are now so many possibilities. You can submit your work to a juried online gallery, sell through a home décor company, or sign up for a website hosting service that also sells artists’ work. Study each option carefully, and ask for sales data from the artists showing there. Don’t forget, you’ll still be responsible for driving people to your gallery through online activity, including social media. So, don’t be afraid to open that can of worms. Just take your time examining what comes out. Mary Edwards, Ph.D Career & Life Coach for Artists “Left Brain Skills for Right Brained People” Instagram: coachingforartists.maryedwards Comments are closed.
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Mary's BlogAs an artist coach, I bring a unique combination of business knowledge, art world experience, and professional coaching skill to my practice. |