Selling handmade paintings online is a fantastic way to showcase your creativity and turn your passion into a thriving business. Whether you’re an established artist or just starting out, the online marketplace offers a global platform for you to reach art lovers and collectors. By leveraging a powerful eCommerce platform like Ordefy, you can create a professional online store, manage sales, and scale your art business with ease.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to successfully sell handmade paintings online, from setting up your store on Ordefy to marketing your artwork and providing exceptional customer service.
Why Sell Handmade Paintings Online?
Selling handmade paintings online offers several advantages:
- Global Audience 🌍:
Online marketplaces allow you to showcase your work to art lovers from all over the world. Whether you’re creating abstract pieces, landscapes, portraits, or modern art, you have the opportunity to reach a broad audience of potential buyers. - Flexibility 🎨:
You can sell both original artwork and prints of your paintings. Prints allow you to make your art accessible to more people at a lower price point, while original paintings offer collectors one-of-a-kind pieces. - Higher Profit Margins 💸:
Selling directly to consumers allows you to cut out intermediaries (like galleries or physical stores), meaning you can keep a larger percentage of the sale price. - Creative Freedom 🖌️:
As a seller, you have full control over the style, pricing, and presentation of your work. You can experiment with different artistic styles and pricing strategies, and easily update your collection based on customer demand.
How to Sell Handmade Paintings Online with Ordefy
Ordefy is a SaaS-based eCommerce platform that simplifies the process of setting up and managing an online store. Here’s a step-by-step guide to selling handmade paintings with Ordefy.
1. Set Up Your Online Store on Ordefy 🏪
The first step in selling your handmade paintings is setting up your online store. Ordefy offers an easy-to-use platform with customizable templates that are perfect for displaying artwork.
- Sign Up for Ordefy 📝:
- Create an account on Ordefy. Choose the right pricing plan based on how many paintings you plan to sell and the features you need.
- Create Your Brand Identity 🖼️:
- Choose a name that reflects your artistic vision. For example, you might use your own name if you’re a well-known artist (e.g., “Sarah’s Abstract Art”) or choose something more creative based on your style (e.g., “Nature’s Canvas”).
- Design a logo and banner that fits your brand’s aesthetic. This is an important step to establish your brand identity and make your online store stand out.
- Store Design and Layout 🎨:
- Use Ordefy’s drag-and-drop website builder to create a gallery-like experience for your customers. The layout should highlight your artwork with large, high-quality images and a clean, simple design that doesn’t distract from the art itself.
- Organize your paintings into categories (e.g., “Abstract Art,” “Nature Paintings,” “Custom Portraits”) to make it easier for customers to browse your collection.
2. Upload Your Handmade Paintings 📚
Once your store is set up, it’s time to upload your paintings for sale.
- Photography 📸:
- Since artwork is a visual product, the quality of your images is crucial. Take high-resolution photos of each painting with proper lighting, showing the details and textures clearly.
- You can also take close-up shots of the artwork to highlight specific features or brushstrokes, especially for larger pieces.
- Product Listings 🖋️:
- Each painting should have a detailed product listing. Include a clear and concise title, a description that provides information about the inspiration or theme behind the painting, and key details like size, medium (acrylic, oil, watercolor, etc.), and frame details (if applicable).
- Pricing is an important factor. Be sure to set a price that reflects the time and effort spent on creating the painting. If you sell prints, make sure to clearly differentiate them from original paintings and price them accordingly.
- Digital and Physical Products 📦:
- If you’re selling prints of your paintings, you can offer customers a choice of print sizes or materials (e.g., canvas prints, posters, etc.).
- For original paintings, specify whether they come with a frame or not, and provide information about the shipping process (e.g., how the painting will be packed, shipping costs, and estimated delivery times).
3. Set Up Payment and Shipping Options 💳🚚
To sell paintings online, you need to make the purchasing process as simple as possible for your customers.
- Payment Methods 💳:
- Ordefy integrates with PayPal, Stripe, and other popular payment gateways, allowing you to accept payments via credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more.
- Shipping and Delivery 🚚:
- Set up your shipping options for physical paintings. Choose reliable carriers like USPS, FedEx, or DHL for international orders.
- For original artworks, ensure the packaging is protective (e.g., using foam boards or bubble wrap) to avoid damage during transit.
- Consider offering free shipping on some items or setting up flat-rate shipping for easier calculation.
- Digital Delivery 📥:
- If selling digital art prints, Ordefy allows you to upload files for immediate download after purchase, making it easy for customers to access your digital art files.
4. Market Your Handmade Paintings 📢
Once your store is set up, it’s time to drive traffic and attract customers.
- Social Media Marketing 📱:
- Instagram is a powerful platform for artists to showcase their work. Post images of your paintings, behind-the-scenes shots of the creative process, and even time-lapse videos of you painting. Use relevant hashtags like #ArtForSale, #HandmadeArt, #OriginalPaintings, and #BuyArtOnline.
- Pinterest: Create pins that link directly to your store. Use high-quality images of your paintings and tag them with keywords like “modern abstract painting” or “acrylic landscape art.”
- Facebook: Join art-focused groups or create a Facebook page dedicated to your art. Share your work and any updates with your followers. Run targeted ads to reach specific demographics interested in art.
- Content Marketing & Blogging 📝:
- Start a blog on your store. Write about your artistic journey, the techniques you use, or the stories behind your paintings. This can help build a connection with your audience and improve your SEO ranking.
- Offer insights into art trends, and decorating tips with original artwork, or explain the benefits of having art in home spaces. You can use these articles as a foundation for your email marketing.
- Email Marketing 📧:
- Use Ordefy’s email marketing tools to build a list of interested buyers. Offer a discount or freebie (like a downloadable art print) to encourage sign-ups.
- Send regular newsletters featuring new collections, sales, and limited-edition prints. Create a loyalty program or offer special discounts to returning customers.
- Collaborations and Art Influencers 🤝:
- Partner with art influencers or interior designers who can showcase your paintings in their spaces. Offer them a free painting or a commission on sales made through their referral.
- Consider collaborating with local galleries or art festivals to increase your exposure and drive traffic to your online store.
5. Provide Excellent Customer Service 🤗
Building customer trust and loyalty is key to growing your art business.
- Clear Communication 💬:
- Respond to customer inquiries promptly and provide additional information if needed. Offer options for custom orders, such as personalized paintings or specific color schemes.
- Art Packaging & Shipping 🎁:
- Make sure your paintings are packed securely to prevent damage during shipping. Include a certificate of authenticity with original artwork to assure buyers of its value and uniqueness.
- Refunds and Returns 🔄:
- For original paintings, it’s common to have a no return policy unless the painting is damaged. Clearly communicate your return and refund policy on your website.
- Customer Reviews ⭐:
- Encourage happy customers to leave reviews on your website. Display testimonials from satisfied buyers to build trust and attract new customers.
Conclusion: Start Selling Handmade Paintings Online with Ordefy
Selling handmade paintings online is a fantastic way to share your artwork with the world and turn your passion into a profitable business. With Ordefy’s eCommerce platform, you can easily create an online art gallery, manage your inventory, and connect with a global audience. Whether you are selling original paintings or art prints, the platform’s user-friendly tools will help you run your business smoothly.
Start building your online art store today with Ordefy, and watch your creative business grow!