Selling Your Digital Art Online: Tips to Set up Shop and Find Customers to Sell Digital Art Online

Selling Your Digital Art Online: Tips to Set up Shop and Find Customers to Sell Digital Art Online

Are you an artist looking to sell your digital art online? The internet has opened up numerous opportunities for artists to showcase and sell their work to a global audience. Whether you are an established digital artist or just starting out, there are several steps you can take to set up shop and find customers to sell your digital art online. In this article, we will explore the best practices and strategies for successfully selling your digital art online. 

Thanks to the internet, digital artists have more opportunities than ever to share their work with the world and even generate income. With a strategic approach, you can create an online shop that showcases your digital art and attracts artistic patrons from around the globe.

This guide will explore proven steps to start selling your digital art online, build your artist brand, and connect with collectors who love and purchase your creations. Let’s dive in!

How to Start Selling Your Digital Art Online

1. Choose the Right Online Marketplace.

When it comes to selling your digital art, choosing the right online marketplace is crucial. Consider platforms such as Etsy, Redbubble, and Society6, which have established audiences and a strong presence in the online art market. These platforms allow you to create your own online store and showcase your digital art to potential buyers.

2. Set Up an Online Store.

Once you have chosen the online marketplace, it’s time to set up your online store. Customize your store with a unique name, logo, and theme that reflect your art style. Provide clear descriptions and pricing for your digital art products to attract customers. Enhance your store’s credibility by adding customer reviews and ratings.

3. Create High-Quality Digital Art Prints.

Invest in high-quality equipment and tools to create digital art prints that stand out. Use professional software and techniques to optimize your digital artwork for printing. Ensure that your prints are of the highest quality and accurately represent your original digital art.

Ways to Promote and Sell Your Digital Art

1. Build an Online Presence.

Establishing a strong online presence is essential for selling your digital art. Create a professional website or portfolio to showcase your art. Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website’s visibility on search engines. Regularly update your website with new art pieces and engage with your audience through blog posts or newsletters.

2. Use Social Media to Showcase Your Art.

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are excellent tools for promoting and selling your digital art. Create engaging posts and share your artwork regularly. Use hashtags related to your art niche to reach a wider audience. Engage with followers and respond to comments to build a loyal customer base.

3. Collaborate with Influencers and Artists.

Collaborating with influencers and fellow artists can expand your reach and attract new customers. Partner with influencers who align with your art style or target audience to promote your work. Collaborate on joint art projects or exhibitions to showcase your talent to a larger audience.

Tips for Selling Your Art Online

1. Offer a Variety of Digital Art Products.

Providing a diverse range of digital art products can attract a wider customer base. Offer digital downloads, art prints, or even merchandise and apparel featuring your artwork. Cater to different budgets and preferences to maximize sales potential.

2. Provide Excellent Customer Service.

Deliver exceptional customer service to build trust and loyalty with your customers. Respond promptly to customer inquiries and provide detailed information about your products. Offer flexible payment options and ensure secure transactions to instill confidence in buyers.

3. Use Keywords and Tags to Optimize Your Art Listings.

Optimize your art listings with relevant keywords and tags to improve their visibility on online marketplaces and search engines. Research popular search terms within your art niche and incorporate them into your product descriptions and titles. This will help potential customers discover your art more easily.

Best Online Marketplaces to Sell Digital Art

1. Etsy

Etsy is a popular online marketplace for handmade and unique products, including digital art. It attracts a large and diverse customer base, making it an ideal platform to sell your digital art.

2. Redbubble

Redbubble offers a wide range of products that can feature your digital art, including apparel, accessories, and home decor. It provides a user-friendly platform for artists to showcase and sell their work.

3. Society6

Society6 focuses on home decor and lifestyle products featuring artwork from independent artists. It offers a seamless selling experience and provides artists with the opportunity to earn royalties and gain exposure.

Selling Your Art as Physical Products

1. Prints and Posters

Offering prints and posters of your digital art allows customers to enjoy your work in a tangible form. Use high-quality printing services and materials to ensure the best possible outcome.

2. Merchandise and Apparel

Explore the option of selling merchandise and apparel featuring your digital art. Consider partnering with print-on-demand services that handle production and fulfillment, allowing you to focus on creating art.

3. Limited Edition Collectibles

Create limited edition collectibles to generate excitement and exclusivity around your digital art. Number and sign each piece to add value for collectors.

As you start selling your digital art online, remember that consistency and perseverance are key. Continually improve your craft, engage with your audience, and adapt to market trends. By following these tips and utilizing online marketplaces and promotional strategies, you can successfully sell your digital art and establish a thriving online art business.

Step 1: Pick the Right Platforms for Your Art

The first step is determining which online platforms make the most sense to host and sell your digital artwork through. Some top options are:

Online Marketplaces

Popular multi-category sites like Etsy and CreativeMarket allow you to open a digital shop quickly. Look for marketplaces frequented by art buyers.

Pros: Built-in traffic, simple setup, handles sales

Cons: Commissions, crowded space, less brand control

Personal Website

Your own art portfolio site allows you to fully customize layout and branding. Sell art directly or integrate third party checkout.

Pros: Full creative control, owns audience, email list potential

Cons: Manual setup required, responsible for traffic and sales

NFT Marketplaces

Emerging platforms like OpenSea to sell blockchain-backed digital art and collectibles as NFTs.

Pros: New tech, cryptocurrency sales, hype/buzz

Cons: Volatile market, environmental concerns, tech learning curve

Consider testing a blend of your own site plus a strategically chosen marketplace or two that aligns with your art niche and audience. This maximizes exposure while still allowing you to control your brand.

Step 2: Curate an Online Portfolio

Your online gallery for showcasing work should make a stellar first impression on visitors. Some tips for curating a compelling portfolio:

• Lead with your very best work upfront.
• Organize artwork logically into categories or themes.
• Include 10-15 pieces – enough to showcase range but not overwhelm.
• Write short descriptions summarizing the artwork.
• Resize images properly so they load quickly.
• Ensure gallery pages are visually pleasing and on-brand.
• Make art details and pricing easy to find.
• Include positive testimonials if possible.

Your portfolio is your storefront – optimize it to keep visitors engaged as they explore your work and understand the available purchasing options.

Step 3: Pick the Right Artwork File Formats

Digital art can be created using various programs and file types. Some common options:

Vector Files

• Scalable, editable files like AI, EPS, SVG great for illustrations.

Raster Files

• Pixel-based files like JPG, PNG, GIF suitable for photos.

PSD Files

• Preserves Photoshop layers but less sharable.

PDF Files

• Widely accessible for documents and presentation art.

When selling digital downloads, offer versatile, universally readable file formats. Vector files are ideal for maximum image quality. Raster files are smaller and easily sharable online. Determine formats based on your art medium and buyer needs.

Step 4: Price Your Artwork Strategically

Pricing your digital art appropriately is crucial. Some pricing tips:

• Research current rates on similar online marketplaces.
• Consider your level of existing brand recognition and demand.
• Factor in any overhead costs and desired profit margins.
• Charge less for digital downloads vs. physical art.
• Offer tiered pricing for hires files or added rights.
• Launch with introductory rates to attract early buyers.
• Raise prices gradually as you build your reputation over time.
• Offer limited-time sales and coupon codes as incentives.

Avoid undervaluing your work but remain reasonable when first starting out. Fine-tune rates over time as you gauge buyer willingness.

Step 5: Photograph Physical Artwork Professionally

For traditional artists selling digital copies, high-quality photography of the physical artwork is essential. Some tips:

• Use a DSLR camera, not a phone, for maximum resolution.
• Shoot in a bright, diffuse lighting environment.
• Avoid shadows, glares, and distracting backgrounds.
• Fill the frame with the artwork fully centered.
• Take pictures from multiple angles of 3D pieces.
• Use editing software to color correct and adjust brightness.
• Save edited files in multiple sizes for flexible usage.

Great photography brings your physical artwork alive online. Outsource photography if needed. Quality images attract more eyes and unlock digital print sales.

Step 6: Write SEO-Friendly Art Page Titles and Descriptions

Optimizing your page content for search engines helps surface your artwork for relevant buyer searches. Follow SEO best practices:

• In your page title tags, include important keywords like the art type, subject matter, your name, etc.
• In the page description meta description, summarize the artwork in an engaging way that uses likely search phrases.
• Use related keywords naturally in the written description and alt text for the art images.

This helps search engines understand what each artwork page is about. With a strategic SEO approach, your art has a better chance of appearing in search results when prospective buyers are hunting for artwork to purchase.

Step 7: Promote Your Art on Social Media

Once your online art presence is ready, it’s time to actively promote it! Share artwork images, time-lapse creation clips, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks and more across social media.

• Post frequently on the most visual platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
• Engage with followers and potential buyers through likes, comments and DMs.
• Use relevant hashtags so your posts appear in topic searches.
• Run occasional social ad campaigns to expand your reach.

Social channels provide a direct line for showcasing your brand personality and artwork to new fans you can convert to buyers.

Step 8: Build Your Email List

Email marketing enables you to capture contacts and market to those interested in your artwork over time. Some list-building tips:

• Offer an opt-in incentive like a free digital wallpaper or printable.
• Promote your list on your site and social media.
• Send a welcome email to greet new subscribers.
• Share blog posts, artwork spotlights, discount codes and more.
• Promote any specials, sales or events via email.
• Thank buyers and foster loyalty with exclusive email perks.

An email list keeps your most engaged followers in the loop about new artwork and makes repeat sales more likely over time.

Step 9: Collaborate with Online Influencers

Partnering with influencers who share crossover appeal with your target art buyers can expand your reach exponentially.

• Research influencers in your niche with engaged audiences.
• Reach out to ones receptive to collaborations.
• Co-create exclusive artwork or offer giveaways they can promote.
• Compensate them based on expected new followers and sales driven.

The right influencer shoutouts introduce your art to fresh, primed audiences already inclined to appreciate your creative style.

Step 10: Consider Limited Edition Physical Prints

While selling digital artwork has little overhead, collectors often desire physical versions of exceptional pieces. Limited edition archival prints can satisfy this demand.

• Only produce small batches of your very best or most requested digital artwork.
• Print on high-quality, archival paper with vibrant inks.
• Hand sign and number prints for authenticity.
• Set strict limits like 25-50 prints total per piece.
• Price prints higher than digital files given exclusivity.
• Market prints to email subscribers and top social media fans first.

With strategic production runs, physical prints become prestigious possessions that add income potential on top of digital.

Conclusion

Selling art online empowers creators to share their vision with art lovers worldwide. By leveraging online galleries, marketplaces, social media and influencer collaborations, digital artists can build their brand and find a global audience.

With persistence and smart branding, your unique artistic perspective and style can find patrons who appreciate and value your work. Selling digital artwork online opens up countless creative and financial opportunities.

Follow these tips to effectively showcase your art online, attract your ideal audience, and ultimately transform your creative passion into a thriving business. The possibilities await to make a living doing what you love as an artist.

Certainly! Here’s an FAQ based on the article “Selling Your Digital Art Online: Tips to Set up Shop and Find Customers to Sell Digital Art Online”:

FAQ for Selling Your Digital Art Online

1. How can I start selling my digital art online?
To start selling your digital art online, choose a suitable online marketplace such as Etsy, Redbubble, or Society6. Customize your online store with a unique name, logo, and theme that reflects your art style. Create high-quality digital art prints using professional tools and techniques.

2. What are the best platforms to sell digital art?
Popular platforms include Etsy, Redbubble, and Society6, each offering unique advantages like built-in traffic, ease of setup, and specific product offerings like apparel or home decor featuring your art.

3. How do I price my digital art prints?
Set prices based on factors like the time spent creating, overhead costs, and the perceived value of your art. Research competitor pricing and consider offering tiered pricing for different product options or exclusivity.

4. How can I promote my digital art online?
Build an online presence with a professional website or portfolio showcasing your art. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to share your artwork regularly using relevant hashtags. Collaborate with influencers and other artists to expand your reach.

5. What types of digital art products should I offer?
Consider offering a variety of products such as digital downloads, art prints, merchandise, and limited edition collectibles. This diversification caters to different customer preferences and budgets.

6. How can I optimize my art listings for online visibility?
Use SEO techniques to optimize your art listings with relevant keywords and tags. This helps potential buyers discover your art through online marketplaces and search engines.

7. Should I sell my digital art as physical products too?
Yes, offering physical products like prints, posters, and merchandise can appeal to collectors who prefer tangible art. Ensure high-quality photography and consider limited edition runs to add exclusivity.

8. How do I build a loyal customer base?
Provide excellent customer service by responding promptly to inquiries and delivering quality products. Engage with your audience through social media, email newsletters, and exclusive promotions to foster loyalty.

9. What are some tips for pricing NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)?
Research current trends and market demand for NFTs in digital art. Consider factors like rarity, artist reputation, and potential resale value when pricing your digital art as NFTs.

10. How do I handle transactions securely?
Use secure payment options and reputable platforms to process transactions. Ensure clear terms of sale and provide customer support for any issues related to purchases.

Selling digital art online requires strategic planning, creative marketing, and consistent engagement with your audience. By leveraging online platforms and promotional strategies effectively, you can successfully monetize your digital art and build a sustainable art business online.