I designed my first website because I was tired of sending slides or actual samples of my work all around the country when a gallery or an individual customer wanted to see my work. Now I can say, "Check out my website," and they do. I can add new work to it when I want to, or let it sit when I'm too busy to think about it. As a result of this simple impulse, I have gotten unexpected returns: my site has ended up in Art and Fine Craft group sites, galleries have come across my site on their own doing random searches. A guy in Denmark even ordered a Scroll from me because one of the photos of dupioni silk on my site came up in his search for fabric! Additionally, having my website listed on my email signature block and on my checks and stationery has brought all kinds of curious onlookers my way...
who would have guessed?
Much of everything I am about to write I will also mention in a panel sponsored by Five Rivers Arts Alliance in Brunswick, Maine on March 16, 2009 at 6:00 at Frontier at Fort Andros in Brunswick.
This site is for VERY beginners. My premise is that anyone can make a simple website with a little bit of time, a little bit of money, some imagination and an idea. Nothing to worry about, easy as pie, just take a deep breath and visualize your website.
Since the panel is on artists' websites, I'll focus on how to build a simple website to showcase and sell your work online, 24/7, while you are in your studio working on the important stuff: your art.
You'll notice throughout the site words or phrases in a different color. These are "links" that, when clicked, will take you to a new page (often with a website) that offers more detail.
Come on, it'll be fun...click "First things first"
For all the gory details about this site, click HERE