How To Create a Website for an Artist and Why You Need One

Key takeaways: 

• Unlike social media feeds, your website gives people a clear, clutter-free way to view your art. 
• From showcasing your portfolio to selling art, this guide breaks down the steps to create an artist website. 
• With Network Solutions, you can build your site fast—even without technical skills. 

A website is a powerful tool for artists to build and grow their online presence. It gives you a space to build your artist portfolio, share your story, and connect with collectors or collaborators. It’s your own platform where your work stays visible and in focus—without the noise of social media. 

You don’t need tech skills to get started. Start building an artist website from the ground up using the best website builder for your needs. But before that, let’s better understand how having your own site can impact your career in the digital space. 

Why do artists need their own website?  

Many artists rely on social media platforms to share their work, but posts get buried fast. With your own website, you set the rules—not trends or algorithms. You control what people see, how they see it, and how they experience your art. It’s your space, built around your goals. 

Here’s what an artist website can do for you: 

• Showcase your artwork in one place. Your artist website becomes your online art portfolio, where people can explore your work in a clean, organized space. 
• Sell your art online. You don’t need a separate shop. With all the tools in place, you can upload, set prices, and sell your artwork all in one hub. 
• Stay in control of your content. From layout to file visibility, your artist website lets you manage how your art appears and keeps your art pages active and up to date. 
• Reach a wider audience. An effective artist website helps visual artists get discovered through search engines—and, not just on social feeds, but also by buyers beyond their local area. 
• Build connections and grow your network. Your site can include contact details, links to art galleries, and updates that encourage creative partnerships with other professional artists. 

These are just a few reasons why an artist website matters. It gives you a strong starting point for what’s ahead. Now, let’s go over the steps to help you build one. 

How to create a website for an artist (Step-by-step)  

If you’re ready to make an artist website, here’s a quick way to begin: 

Step 1. Decide what kind of website you need  

Before you jump into website building, figure out what you want your site to do. Your goals drive how your site looks, what it includes, and how it supports your growth as an artist. 

For example, many fine artists and visual artists use their websites to: 

• Sell artwork or take commissions 
• Share artist portfolio with galleries 
• Promote art gallery events or exhibitions 
• Connect with collectors and fans 
• Apply for grants or opportunities from the past few years 

You can start with an AI website builder for a quick setup or bring in a web designer for more customization. Either way, knowing what you’re working on can help you save money and time. 

Step 2. Pick a domain name that reflects your art  

Your domain name is the web address people use to reach your site. It’s what they’ll type in to visit your artist portfolio website. So, keep it short, easy to spell, and tied to your identity as an artist. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

• Use your name or art brand to make your domain name more recognizable. This helps with both search visibility and trust, especially when reaching out to a gallery director or potential buyer. 
• A custom domain adds credibility and helps build trust with galleries, collectors, and buyers. 
• Besides keeping it short, you also need to avoid hyphens, numbers, or anything confusing to spell or say. 
• Choose a domain extension that fits your work—like .com for broad use, or .studio and .art for a more creative focus.
• Many website builders offer a free domain or builder access. With Network Solutions, select hosting plans include both, with full access available through premium plans. 
• Before you commit, check that your domain name is available. If not, try a small variation or a different extension. 

Your domain sets the first impression of your professional artist website. Make it work for you. It’s what leads people to your site. A good domain can help you attract buyers, showcase your work, and present yourself professionally to galleries and clients.  

Step 3. Choose the best website builder for your artist website 

After securing your domain name, the next step is to pick a website builder. A website builder gives you the tools to actually create and manage your artist website, even if you have no technical background. 

Look for a platform that offers: 

• Ease of use. A drag-and-drop editor helps you easily arrange images, text, and artwork without needing to learn coding. 
• Professional templates. Good builders offer ready-made designs that you can customize to reflect your artistic style. 
• AI-powered features. Some builders use AI to help you quickly set up a personalized artist website based on your answers to a few simple questions. 
• Reliable hosting included. Many website builders also handle the hosting part for you, keeping your site live and stable. 
• Freedom to monetize. Paid website builders allow you full control over advertising, selling art, and growing your brand—without unwanted ads or platform restrictions, which can happen with a free plan. 
• Helpful analytics. Platforms that support tools like Google Analytics give you insights into your visitors and how your site is performing. 

When comparing website builders, also think about pricing plans, scalability, and customer support. Some offer a free plan to help you get started, while premium plans often include a free domain for the first year when you subscribe. 

Step 4. Use a web design template to show off your art portfolio  

Picking the right design template matters for how your artist website looks, works, and feels to visitors.  A web design that matches with your artistic practice significantly influences the visual appeal of your website, its functionality and your customer’s overall experience. 

When you’re choosing a template, here are a few things to think about: 

• Layout. Go with a layout that fits the purpose of your professional artist website—whether you’re building an art portfolio, starting an art blog, or creating a space to sell online.
• Colors. Stick with colors that feel like your work and keep your site looking sharp on both desktop and mobile devices. 
• Navigation. A good template helps people navigate your art pages, check out your image galleries, or head straight to your contact page. 

 Network Solutions offers professionally designed, customizable templates for a quick and efficient artist website setup. For a unique, tailored online presence that aligns with your specific style and goals, consider collaborating with a web designer.  

Alternatively, platforms like WordPress provide a vast library of CMS templates with extensive design control and flexibility.  

It boils down to choosing a template that effectively supports your content and engages your audience. A successful professional artist website should have structure, visual appeal, and a positive user experience. 

Step 5. Upload your artwork and organize it clearly  

Once your art site is up, the next step is to upload photos and display your work in a way that feels clean and professional. 

Here are a few tips to help you set things up: 

• Use the right format. JPG and PNG are ideal for visual clarity and quicker load times, especially important if you’re working with a free plan. 
• Compress before uploading. Reducing file size keeps your site fast and helps visitors stay engaged with your art portfolio. 
• Organize your images into sections like digital, acrylic, or mixed media. This structure makes your image galleries easier to browse. 
• Label everything clearly. Rename each file with a title that reflects the piece. Relevant details like this help improve search visibility. 
• Link to extra info. Connect each piece to its own web page where you can share your process, tools used, or contact details for potential buyers or gallery inquiries. 
• Update regularly. Keep things up to date by removing older pieces and adding new work, so your site reflects your current style and skill level. 

Uploading your work doesn’t only mean adding pictures online. It also means presenting them in a way that makes it easy for people to explore, connect, and reach out. 

Step 6. Add pages that tell your story as an artist  

After you’ve chosen your template and uploaded your artwork, it’s time to create pages that give visitors a deeper look at your background, work, and artistic journey. 

Art websites can vary in design and style, but they should consistently include the following essential elements: 

• About/biography. This section should offer a short but meaningful overview of your background and achievements—like education, experience, awards, and any related exhibitions or published work. A short bio helps visitors know who you are as an artist.
• Portfolio. Your artist website should highlight your strongest work. You can group your pieces into categories (like medium or series) or feature key pieces up front. Include brief descriptions, titles, and prices if your work is for sale.
• Contact information. Make it easy for people to reach you. This can be a contact page with your email, social links, or a short form that allows collectors or galleries to get in touch. 
• Blog. Adding a blog to your art website gives you a space to share behind-the-scenes content, creative insights, or tips on your process. It’s a great way to keep visitors engaged. 
• Client testimonials. Feedback from past buyers, collaborators, or mentors builds credibility. If you’re just starting, ask a peer or instructor to write a few kind words about your work. 
• Social media integration. Add your social media accounts so people can follow your updates elsewhere, especially if you share works-in-progress or time-lapses of your artistic practice on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. 

Even free websites can include these pages to help you tell your story clearly. Start with the basics, then add more as your artist website grows. 

Step 7. Set up an online store to sell your art  

If you want to sell your artwork online, adding a store to your artist website allows visitors to browse, purchase, and share your work. Many website builders let you create an online store as part of your free plan or through premium plans with advanced tools. 

Here’s what to include: 

• Product pages. Create a dedicated space for each piece with titles, descriptions, and high-quality images. This helps organize your image galleries and keep your art pages up to date.
• Pricing details. Show your rates clearly. If you’re an established artist, this helps set expectations with potential collectors. 
• Shipping options. Decide if you want to ship locally or internationally and add delivery info to your web page. 
• Secure checkout. Look for a platform that includes safe payment gateways to protect your buyers’ information. 

Most website builders support social media platforms and marketing tools so you can grow your reach directly from your artist website. These features are especially helpful for free artists or those launching a new website for the first time. 

Step 8. Make your artist website mobile-friendly and fast  

Mobile responsiveness matters a lot, especially for artists. Many people browse art online from phones and tablets, so your site should load quickly and display your image galleries clearly on smaller screens. 

A mobile-friendly web page not only improves the experience for your visitors but also helps your artist website get noticed on search engines. Before you publish, check your site on multiple devices to see if everything—from layout to links—looks and works right. 

Step 9. Use content to grow your audience and improve online visibility 

Once your artist website is live, posting fresh content can help you connect with visitors and build a presence in the art world. Think of it as a way to stay active—not just online, but in the minds of your visitors. 

You can add a quick blog or notes page so you can: 

• Share upcoming art gallery exhibitions or events. 
• Show behind-the-scenes work from your studio. 
• Talk about your process, recent projects, or creative approach. 

Consistent updates help your professional website show up on search engines, attract gallery director interest, and keep your web page current with relevant details that matter to both readers and the art world. 

Art website examples to inspire your design 

Need ideas before building your own site? These real-world artist website examples can help spark inspiration. They show how different artists use their website builder to showcase their art portfolio, organize their image galleries, and tell a story that fits their unique style. 

David Milan 

David Milan’s website feels like a natural part of his studio. Bold colors and custom graphics allow his work and style to be easily recognizable. With the right website builder, you can create your own website too—one that feels personal and reflects your place in the art world. 

Karen J. Revis 

Karen J. Revis’s artist website shows how a simple layout can put the spotlight on your work. This layout makes room for both creating art and giving visitors a feel for who you are. So, if you’re ready to make an artist website, you can start with a free plan and build something that lets your work speak for itself. 

Zaria Forman 

Zaria Forman’s artist website shows how visuals alone can tell a deeper story. Her clean layout and crisp images highlight the details in her pastel work while giving space for her message on climate change. It’s a quiet reminder that a fine art site can inform, move, and connect people beyond the screen. 

Alex Garant 

Alex Garant’s artist website shines through bold visuals and a clean layout that highlights her online store. The focus on her artwork and merch draws fans in and motivates them to support her. It’s a solid example of how artists in the visual arts can create a site that blends personality, function, and sales. 

Surreal Fashion 

Miss Aniela’s Surreal Fashion site mixes high fashion with fantasy using bold visuals and smooth transitions. It’s a good reference for visual artists who want to showcase work in a dramatic but clear way. The site uses marketing tools like slideshows and a clean menu to show off her style in a clear and focused way. 

Showcase your art to the world with a website 

So, you’ve seen what’s possible—now it’s your turn to build a digital gallery for the world to see your art. Whether it’s a portfolio, a shop, or your name in the art world, it all begins when you create an artist website that feels like you. 

With Network Solutions’ Website Builder, you can quickly launch a website using templates designed for artists. This guide was made to make the process easier. And if you find this article helpful, don’t wait—the next step is just a click away. 

Explore templates today and start building your site.  

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