To identify the best places to sell art online for artists, I used SEO tools, uncovering each platform's monthly traffic, main countries searchers are from, and key search terms.
Starting on these platforms can propel your journey by connecting you with their established audiences. However, building your own website should be your end goal. It allows for direct interaction with collectors and gives you full control over your brand and sales, positioning you more prominently in the art market.
Key Points
- Varied traffic and global reach: Analysis using SEO tools reveals a wide range of monthly traffic across art-selling platforms, with Etsy leading significantly at 378,800,000 visitors, and Art Storefronts and OnlineGallery.art at the lower end with 18,000 visitors each. This variance underscores the importance of choosing platforms with substantial reach to increase visibility.
- Focus on strategic keywords for visibility: The top keywords driving traffic to these sites, such as “oil paintings” for Artfinder and “metal posters” for Displate, highlight the value of targeting specific niches or mediums. Artists should consider these trends when listing their work to align with what potential buyers are searching for.
- The advantage of direct selling through personal websites: Despite the high competition and visibility challenges on crowded marketplaces, having a personal website remains crucial for artists aiming for long-term success and brand control. Transitioning collectors from platforms with high traffic, like Etsy and Fine Art America, to personal websites can enhance direct engagement and sales autonomy, with newsletters playing a key role in maintaining collector relationships.
Overview of the Best Places to Sell Art Online
Each of these platforms has its unique advantages and challenges, so it's important to choose the one that aligns best with your art style, goals, and business plan.
Website | Monthly Organic Search Traffic | Countries | Keywords | Fees |
---|---|---|---|---|
Artfinder | 800,000 | United States, United Kingdom | oil paintings | Free up to 30 artworks |
ArtPal | 207,000 | United States, India | Sara Highlands, John Hinkley | Free |
Art Storefronts | 18,000 | United States | art storefronts | $1000-$2800 setup fee + ~$50/month |
Artsper | 600,000 | France, United States, Germany | drawing artworks, sculpture, street paintings, steel sculptures | $42/month |
Displate | 1,200,000 | United States, United Kingdom | cats and gaming, trading poster, metal posters | 50% of each sale |
Etsy | 378,800,000 | Global | breitling art, coin for coin toss, google charms | Listing fees, 6.5% transaction fees, plus other fees |
Fine Art America | 8,100,000 | United States, India | breitling art, watercolour paintings, paintings artwork | Free or $30/year premium |
Jose Art Gallery | 113,000 | Ukraine, United States | paintings of interior, surrealistic paintings, symbolic drawings | 35% of each sale |
OnlineGallery.art | 18,000 | Netherlands, United States, Belgium | famous painters, dutch designers, Michelangelo sculptures, historical photos | Free up to 5 artworks |
Saatchi Art | 1,900,000 | United States, India, United Kingdom | abstract artworks, art painting portrait | 35-40% commission |
Singulart | 1,100,000 | United States, Germany, United Kingdom | painting, artist from renaissance, expressionistic painters, artwork from japan, famous artists | 30-50% of each sale |
Artfinder
Artfinder connects artists with a global community, focusing on original paintings, prints, and sculptures. Over half of their website visitors are from the United States and about 125,000 of their visitors coming from the United Kingdom.
Fees: Free up to 30 artworks
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: oil paintings.
Monthly traffic: 800,000
Pros
- Focus on original art
- Supportive artist community
- Visibility through artist features
Cons
- Juried selection process
- Commission on sales
ArtPal
ArtPal offers a free gallery space for artists to sell original art, prints, and utilize their Print-on-Demand service. A majority of their visitors are from the United States and about 15,000 visitors from India. Read my ArtPal review here.
Fees: Free
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: Sara Highlands and John Hinkley.
Monthly Traffic: 207,000
Pros
- Commission-free selling
- Global audience reach
- Unlimited listing space
Cons
- High competition may make it hard for new artists to stand out
Art Storefronts
Art Storefronts provides a comprehensive solution for artists to create their own website and sell original work and prints. Most website visitors are from the United States.
A lot of their visitors are searching for keywords related to their brand, art storefronts. Which leads me to believe most of their marketing is going towards getting artists to sign up for their platform and not art buyers searching to buy specific types of art. Which is common in a lot of Pay-On-Demand (POD) websites or platforms that charge the artists.
Fees: The initial setup fee ranges from $1000-$2800 USD and then around $50.00 / Month
Monthly Traffic: 18,000
Pros:
- Full control over the sale process
- Extensive educational resources
- POD solution included
Cons
- Requires more setup and management time
- Initial costs can be higher
Artsper
Artsper focuses exclusively on professional galleries, offering high-quality artworks to collectors. Most of their website traffic comes from France. Second is United states. Third most visitors from Germany.
Fees: $42 USD per month
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: drawing artworks, sculpture, street paintings, and steels sculptures.
Monthly Traffic: 600,000
Pros
- High-quality, professional level of art
- Focused on galleries
Cons
- Artists cannot directly apply; must be part of a gallery
Displate
Displate specializes in unique metal posters, offering artists a distinctive medium for their work. A majority of their website traffic is from the United States, with about 80,000 visitors from the United Kingdom.
Fees: 50% of each artwork sold
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: cats and gaming, trading poster, and then many variations of metal posters.
Monthly traffic: 1,200,000
Pros
- Unique product offering (metal prints)
- No upfront costs
- Artist commission on sales
Cons
- Limited to one medium, which may not suit all artists' work
Etsy
Etsy is a global online marketplace where people come together to make, sell, buy, and collect unique items. It's particularly known for handmade goods, vintage items, and art supplies, making it an ideal platform for artists looking to sell their creations to a broad audience.
Most of their visitors are searching for breitling art, coin for coin toss, and google charms. I did a further deep dive into the keyword terms and the only trend I saw beneficial for artists is making holiday themed works. Etsy seems to be great at getting traffic during trending holidays.
Fees: Artists on Etsy are subject to several fees, including a $0.20 listing fee per item, a 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price plus shipping and gift wrapping, and additional fees for using Etsy's advertising services. Etsy also offers an Etsy Plus subscription at $10 per month, providing extra features and credits for listings and ads, and artists may incur payment processing fees, subscription fees for enhanced shop tools, and regulatory operating fees depending on their sales and location.
Monthly traffic: 378,800,000
Pros:
- Wide Audience: Etsy has a massive, global user base, providing extensive visibility for artists.
- Community Support: The platform fosters a strong sense of community among sellers and buyers, offering various forums and teams for support and advice.
- Ease of Use: Setting up a shop on Etsy is straightforward, making it accessible even for those with limited technical skills.
Cons:
- Competition: Due to its popularity, Etsy features a high level of competition, with many artists and creators selling similar items.
- Fees: Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees, which can add up over time.
- Market Saturation: Finding a niche on Etsy can be challenging due to the saturation of certain art and craft categories.
Fine Art America
Fine Art America is one of the largest online marketplaces for artists to sell prints and originals. Most of the traffic is from the United States with about 600,000 visitors from India.
Fees: Free with the option of a paid $30 USD per year premium option
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: breitling art, watercolour paintings, and paintings artwork.
Monthly traffic: 8,100,000
Pros
- Extensive product range for art prints
- Robust marketing tools
- Large audience
Cons
- Platform takes a commission on sales
- High number of artists can make visibility challenging
Jose Art Gallery
Jose Art Gallery offers a platform for both individual artists and galleries, reaching audiences including in Chinese and Russian markets. Most of there traffic comes from the Ukraine and about 19,000 visitors from the United States.
Fees: 35% of each artwork sold
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: paintings of interior, surrealistic paintings, symbolic drawings.
Monthly traffic: 113,000
Pros
- Broad audience including international markets
- Supports both artists and galleries
Cons
- May have language barriers or require specific marketing strategies for different regions
OnlineGallery.art
OnlineGallery.art, based in the Netherlands, is known for its beautiful selection and easy setup, offering direct communication between artists and art lovers. Most of their traffic is coming from the Netherlands, then half as much traffic from the United States, and the least amount from Belgium.
Fees: Free up to 5 artworks
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: famous painters, dutch designers, Michelangelo sculptures, and historical photos.
Monthly traffic: 18,000
Pros
- Low monthly fees
- Direct artist-buyer communication
- Artist promotion
Cons
- Monthly fee regardless of sales, potentially limiting for artists on a budget
Saatchi Art
Saatchi Art is one of the world's largest online art galleries, offering a vast selection of high-quality original art and prints. About 700,000 visitors are coming from the United States. 200,000 from India. The remaining visitors are mostly from the United Kingdom.
Fees: 40% of each open edition sale. 35% of original art sales.
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: abstract artworks and art painting portrait.
Monthly traffic: 1,900,000
Pros
- Large audience reach
- Professional curation
- Opportunities for featured exposure
Cons
- Competition due to the high number of artists
- Commission fees
Singulart
Singulart offers a curated selection of artworks from emerging and established artists worldwide. About half of Singulart's visitors are from the United States. the second majority of visitors are from Germany, and the remaining are mostly from the United Kingdom.
Fees: 30-50% of each artwork sold
Top keywords driving traffic to this site are: painting, artist from renaissance, expressionistic painters, artwork from japan, and famous artists.
Monthly traffic: 1,100,000
Pros
- High-quality, curated art selection
- Support from Singulart team
- Global reach
Cons
- Competitive and curated, making it harder for new artists to get accepted
Selling art online has opened a world of opportunities for artists. Whether you’re a beginner or an established creator, the digital age offers countless ways to connect with collectors and grow your art business. After years of experimenting and learning from others, I’ve discovered what works, what doesn’t, and how to make the most of each platform. Let me walk you through the best places to sell your art, starting with what I consider the ultimate destination: your own website.
Your Art Website is the Best Place to Sell Your Art Online
Having your own website is the pinnacle of selling art online. It puts you in the driver’s seat, allowing you to build your brand and engage directly with your collectors. Unlike third-party platforms, you maintain complete control over your pricing, presentation, and marketing.
One of the best strategies for leveraging your website is by creating an art newsletter. It allows you to connect with collectors, share your latest works, and build trust over time. I’ve seen firsthand how consistent communication through newsletters can turn casual visitors into loyal buyers.
If you’re thinking about diving deeper into art business strategies, I’ve covered more ideas in these articles about growing your art business.
While a personal website is essential, I understand it can be challenging to drive traffic, especially in the early stages. For me, SEO has been the primary way to attract visitors to my site. By optimizing my content for search engines, I’ve been able to reach collectors who are actively searching for the type of art I create. I’ve written a guide on SEO for artist websites that can help you do the same.
Another effective method I use is sharing my process on YouTube. I link back to my website in the descriptions of each video, giving viewers an easy way to explore my art further. This approach not only drives traffic but also builds a stronger connection with my audience.
Selling Limited Edition Prints
Prints are a fantastic way to make your art more accessible to a broader audience. Platforms like ArtPal or your website can be great for selling prints, but you’ll need to focus on quality to attract buyers. I’ve shared tips on creating stunning prints at home and choosing the best printers for artists.
When selling limited edition prints, creating a sense of exclusivity is key. Numbered editions and signed certificates of authenticity add value and attract collectors. If you’re new to certificates, I’ve written a guide on how to create one that will help you get started.
Pricing Your Artwork
Pricing art can be one of the most challenging aspects of selling. Striking the right balance between affordability and value is key. To make this easier, I’ve developed an artwork pricing calculator that takes the guesswork out of the process.
Applying for Art Grants
If you’re looking to fund your artistic endeavors, art grants can be a game-changer. They provide financial support and credibility, helping you invest in materials, studio space, or marketing. I’ve compiled resources and tips for applying to grants in my article on art grants.
Launching Your Limited Edition
When it comes to launching a limited edition, planning is everything. A well-executed launch can generate excitement and drive sales. I’ve outlined a step-by-step approach in my guide to launching a limited edition, covering everything from pre-launch marketing to follow-ups.
The Final Goal: Your Website as the Hub
All of these platforms and strategies ultimately lead back to one goal: making your website the central hub of your art business. It’s where you can offer a cohesive experience, free from the distractions and limitations of third-party platforms. Whether you’re selling original pieces, prints, or even offering workshops, your website is the place to build lasting relationships with your collectors.
If you’re ready to take control of your art business, start by exploring the resources I’ve linked here. Each step brings you closer to turning your artistic passion into a thriving, sustainable career.