As you explore platforms to sell your art without losing a chunk of your earnings to commission fees, you might have come across ArtPal. This ArtPal review is for you if you're considering ArtPal for showcasing and selling your original creations and print-on-demand products.
Key Points
- ArtPal promises artists the unique benefit of retaining 100% of their sales revenue, a feature that has attracted a significant artist community of over 216,000 members worldwide.
- Despite the promising no-commission model, my personal experience with ArtPal, involving over 75 artworks listed over four years, resulted in no sales, highlighting potential issues with the platform's ability to connect artists with buyers.
- ArtPal receives about 207,000 monthly visitors organically, setting an expectation for higher sales opportunities that, based on personal and community feedback, are not being met.
- ArtPal's customer support has been a significant concern, with a lack of response to inquiries posing a stark contrast to the support offered by other art-selling platforms, affecting artists' satisfaction and success.
ArtPal Review: My Experience and Observations
With ArtPal, you're promised the unique advantage of keeping 100% of your sales revenue, an offer that has attracted over 216,000 artists worldwide.
But the big question for you in this ArtPal review is: Does ArtPal truly stand by its promise, making it the right platform for you to profit from your art?
Despite listing over 75 artworks over 4 years, my ArtPal account has not seen a single sale. This outcome is particularly striking when compared to my experiences on other platforms, such as Fine Art America, where a smaller portfolio has garnered sales and commission requests. This discrepancy raises questions about ArtPal's effectiveness in connecting artists with potential buyers, despite its appealing no-commission model.
What else is interesting is that ArtPal gets about 207,000 monthly visitors organically. So you should expect more art sales.
Check out my updated list of the best places to sell art online.
The broader artist community's experience with ArtPal echoes my own, with many reporting minimal to no sales, even when leveraging ArtPal's affiliate program. The platform's performance for print-on-demand sales appears lackluster, with only a small percentage of artists reporting success, primarily in niche product categories like mugs.
Questionable customer support of ArtPal
The value of any digital platform, especially one catering to the diverse and dynamic needs of artists, is greatly enhanced by the quality and responsiveness of its customer support services. For artists navigating the complexities of selling their art online, efficient customer support isn't just a convenience—it's a necessity.
ArtPal's approach to customer service has been notably problematic. The platform's customer support leaves much to be desired. This has been a significant issue for many within its community, myself included.
When I've reached out to ArtPal with questions or for assistance, my experiences have been uniformly disappointing: I've never received a reply. This silence from ArtPal stands in stark contrast to the experiences I've had with other art-selling platforms, where customer service teams are not only accessible but also quick to assist, ensuring that artists feel supported and valued.
This discrepancy in customer service quality between ArtPal and other platforms is troubling. Responsive customer support is crucial for addressing the immediate concerns of artists, whether they're technical issues, questions about payments, or guidance on optimizing their online galleries. The lack of such support can leave artists feeling frustrated and isolated, potentially impacting their success on the platform and their overall satisfaction with it.
In a digital marketplace where competition is fierce and artists have numerous options for showcasing and selling their work, the level of support provided can be a deciding factor for many when choosing a platform.
Enhancing your ArtPal experience
To truly unlock the potential of ArtPal or any platform where you're selling your art, it's a smart move to tap into a variety of external resources to help boost your success.
Consider this: applying for art grants could provide you with the financial backing you need to focus more on your creative work without the constant worry about funds.
And there's more you can do to focus on selling art from your own webiste. Learning to produce your own prints at home could not only maximize your earnings but also give you complete control over the quality and distribution of your art. Plus, it adds that special touch to your work that buyers love – the personal hand-crafted aspect.
Don't underestimate the power of your story, either. A compelling artist bio isn't just a few paragraphs about your journey; it's your chance to connect with potential buyers on a personal level, to share your vision and passion. Crafting a bio that resonates could be the key to turning a casual browser into a loyal collector.
Remember, your journey on ArtPal or any art-selling platform is not just about listing your work and waiting. It's about actively creating opportunities, engaging with your audience, and constantly finding new ways to share your art with the world.
Final Thoughts: Is ArtPal worth it?
ArtPal offers a compelling no-commission model for selling art online, but its suitability varies based on individual artist needs and marketing capabilities.
For those who can independently drive traffic to their listings, ArtPal presents a viable channel for sales. However, artists expecting extensive promotional support from the platform may need to adjust their expectations.
Ask yourself, why should you need to do the hard work of driving traffic to a website you don't own?
You're better off driving traffic to your own art website and growing your art newsletter.
ArtPal provides a platform for artists to potentially thrive without commission fees, yet success on this platform requires a proactive approach to marketing and promotion. The limited range of print-on-demand products and competitive pricing may appeal to some, but the overall effectiveness of ArtPal as a sales platform will depend heavily on the artist's ability to engage and attract buyers.