How to Sell Paintings Online and Make a Profit in 2023?

Selling paintings online has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more artists look to reach a wider audience and increase their sales. By selling paintings online, artists can connect with potential buyers worldwide and showcase their work in a digital space. However, simply listing paintings online does not guarantee sales or profitability. In this blog post, we will discuss how to sell paintings online and make a profit in 2023. Making a profit is essential for artists who want to sustain their art practice and continue creating beautiful works of art.

How to Sell Paintings Online:  a step by step comprehensive guide

1. Create an online presence

To sell paintings online, it’s important to create an online presence. Here are the steps to get started:

• Choose a platform to sell on: 

There are various platforms to sell paintings online, such as Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and Saatchi Art. You should choose a platform that aligns with your brand and target audience.

• Build a website or online store: 

Building a website or online store is another option to sell paintings online. This option gives you more control over your online presence, and you can tailor it to your specific needs. Platforms like OrderZ make it easy to build an online store.

• Establish a social media presence: 

Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are excellent tools for artists to showcase their work and connect with potential buyers. It’s essential to have a strong social media presence, share high-quality images of your paintings, and engage with your followers.

2. Create and showcase your paintings

Once you have established your online presence, it’s time to create and showcase your paintings. Here are the steps to get started:

• Create high-quality images of your paintings: 

High-quality images are crucial for showcasing your paintings online. Invest in good lighting and a quality camera to capture your paintings in the best possible way. Take pictures from different angles and in various lighting conditions to showcase the colours and textures of your paintings.

• Provide detailed descriptions of each painting: 

When selling paintings online, it’s important to provide detailed descriptions of each painting, including the medium used, size, and any unique features. Add information about your inspiration behind the paintings and the techniques used to create them. The more information you provide, the more likely potential buyers will make a purchase.

• Price your paintings competitively: 

Pricing your paintings can be challenging. Research the prices of similar paintings on your chosen platform or in local galleries to determine a fair price for your work. Consider the time and materials that went into creating the painting, as well as the demand for your work. It’s important to price your paintings competitively to attract buyers while still making a profit.

3. Promote your paintings

Continuing with promoting your paintings, here are more tips to get your paintings in front of potential buyers:

• Utilize social media platforms: 

Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your paintings. Share images of your paintings, behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process, and updates on your upcoming projects. Use hashtags to reach a wider audience and engage with your followers. Consider running social media ads to reach a larger audience.

• Participate in online art communities and forums: 

Online art communities and forums are great places to connect with potential buyers and other artists. Join these communities, share your paintings, and participate in discussions to build your brand and network. You can also offer to trade paintings with other artists to increase your exposure.

• Reach out to art bloggers and influencers: 

Art bloggers and influencers can help promote your paintings to their followers. Research art bloggers and influencers in your niche and reach out to them with a personalized message and a link to your paintings. Send them free paintings in exchange for a review or social media feature.

4. Fulfilling orders

Once you start selling paintings online, it’s important to make sure that you can fulfil orders effectively. This means taking care of things like shipping, payment, and customer service. Here are some tips to help you fulfil orders efficiently:

• Provide fast and reliable shipping: 

When someone buys one of your paintings, they’ll be excited to receive it as soon as possible. Make sure that you have a reliable shipping method in place so that you can get your paintings to your customers quickly and safely. Consider using a trackable shipping method so your customers can keep an eye on their package as it makes its way to them.

• Offer easy payment methods: 

Make sure that you offer easy payment methods for your customers. This could include accepting credit card payments, PayPal, or other popular payment methods. Make sure that your payment system is secure and that your customer’s information is protected.

• Provide excellent customer service: 

Good customer service can go a long way in building a successful online business. Make sure that you’re responsive to your customer’s questions and concerns, and that you’re always polite and professional. Consider including a note or a small gift with each order to show your customers how much you appreciate their support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selling Paintings Online

There are some common mistakes you should avoid when selling paintings online. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Poor Quality Photos: One of the biggest mistakes of selling paintings online is using poor-quality photos of their Paintings. Your images should be clear and high-resolution, showing the true colours and details of your painting.
• Inaccurate Descriptions: Make sure your painting description is accurate and complete. Include all relevant details about the painting such as size, medium, and any unique characteristics. It will help buyers make an informed decision.
• Pricing Too High or Too Low: It’s hard to set the right price for your paintings. If your price is too high, it may discourage potential customers. If it’s too low, it may undervalue your work. Do some research to see what similar works are selling for and set a fair price.
• Limited Exposure: Not promoting your paintings enough can limit your reach and sales. Use social media platforms and art marketplaces to display your work to a wider audience.
• Poor Packaging and Shipping: Poorly packed or damaged paintings during shipping can result in returns or negative reviews. Make sure your artwork is securely packed and shipped with insurance and tracking.
• Lack of Communication: customers may have questions about your artwork, so it’s important to respond promptly and professionally. Good communication can build trust and increase sales.
• Not Building Your Brand: Developing a brand and a following can assist you in defining yourself as an artist and increasing revenue in the long term. Consider building a website, creating social media accounts, and participating in art events and exhibitions.

Avoiding these common mistakes can help artists to sell their paintings online successfully and increase their reach and sales.

Tips to make a profit by selling paintings online

If you want to make money from selling your paintings online, here are some helpful tips:

• Offer discounts and deals: If you want to attract more customers, offer special deals or discounts. You could offer a discount to first-time buyers, or have a sale on certain paintings.
• Create limited edition or exclusive pieces: If you want to make your paintings more special, consider making a limited number of prints or paintings. This makes people feel like they have something unique and special.
• Sell prints of your paintings: Selling prints can be a good way to make more money without having to make more original paintings. Prints should be of high quality and look like the originals.

By following these tips, you can make more money from your paintings. Remember to always focus on making high-quality paintings and making your customers happy.

The Benefits of Selling Paintings Online

There are several benefits to selling paintings online, including:

• Greater reach: When you sell paintings online, you can reach a wider audience. There are no geographical limits to the people you can sell to.

• Lower overhead costs: Selling paintings online allows you to avoid the high overhead costs. This means you can keep more of your profits and reinvest in your business.

• Convenience: Selling paintings online is much more convenient than traditional methods. You can manage your business from anywhere with an internet connection and don’t have to worry about the time limits of physical exhibitions or gallery hours.

• Increased exposure: Online platforms such as social media and art marketplaces can help increase your exposure and build your brand. You can display your work to a wider audience and attract new customers.

• Flexibility: Selling paintings online gives you the flexibility to experiment with different pricing strategies, marketing techniques, and sales channels. You can also easily adjust your approach based on customer feedback or market trends.

The Best Platforms to Sell Your Paintings Online

The best platforms to sell paintings online are 

• Artpal, 
• Artsy, 
• Amazon handmade, 
• Saatchi Art, 
• Artfinder, 
• eBay, and 
• Etsy. 

You only need to choose the one that suits the style of your work and offers the most beneficial terms for you.

But, if you want to create your brand identification, build your own website with OrderZ and sell commission-free to maximize your profits. 

In summary

Sell paintings online can be a fun way to show off your art and make some money. Here are some simple tips to help you sell your paintings online:

 

• Make a website or use a website that lets you sell your paintings.
• Show off your paintings with pictures and descriptions.
• Price your paintings so it’s fair for both you and your customers.
• Use social media to get more people to see your art.
• Offer special deals and discounts to get more customers.
• Make limited edition or special pieces to make your art stand out.
• Consider selling prints of your paintings so you can sell more copies.

 

Remember to always make sure your paintings are high-quality and make sure your customers are happy. With these tips, you can start selling your paintings online and have fun doing it!