clintavo.com<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The 71 Rules that Great Artist Websites Follow<\/strong><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n*An updated version of our previous rules for your checklist.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Section A: OVERALL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO have a mobile-friendly design<\/li>\n
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- DO Use your own domain<\/li>\n
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- DO Secure your site with an SSL certificate<\/li>\n
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- DO keep your site classy and clear by focusing on your art and only your art<\/li>\n
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- DO utilize a simple, well organized menu structure\u00a0<\/li>\n
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- DO Have a reason for each page and have content on each page [2]<\/li>\n
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- DO Make your text readable (big enough and not too small)<\/li>\n
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- DO make your website’s interface consistent from page to page<\/li>\n
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- DO Make sure your website’s visited links change color<\/li>\n
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- DO Make big blocks of text scannable by utilizing short sections with headlines<\/li>\n
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- DO Make sure all hyperlinks are active<\/li>\n
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- DO Make sure your site loads quickly<\/li>\n
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- DO keep all event\/exhibit\/timely information current and up to date<\/li>\n
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- DO have an easy to update site so you can post new works, ready to sell in a few easy steps<\/li>\n
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- DO Add images and information about all items that you sell<\/li>\n
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- DO use a neutral color scheme so the art stands out<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT Use a “splash page” – Let visitors get right to the art on your site<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT build your site with non-standard technologies like flash<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT HAVE too many navigation menu items<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT have more than one website (for your art)<\/li>\n
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SECTION B: ART PORTFOLIO<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO Link each artwork on your portfolio page to an artwork detail page with a bigger image, size, price purchasing info [1]<\/li>\n
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- DO price all your artworks clearly on the site (unless you sell only through a gallery)<\/li>\n
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- DO have further detailed information about each artwork and a call to action on each artwork detail page<\/li>\n
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- DO make purchasing easy with a purchase button on each artwork detail page<\/li>\n
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- DO have an “inquire” button on each artwork detail page so people with further questions may contact you about that specific artwork<\/li>\n
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- DO link each artwork detail page to the gallery\/venue where it can be purchased (if not available on your site)<\/li>\n
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- DO on each artwork, if sold by a gallery, provide the gallery’s contact info on it’s detail page<\/li>\n
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- DO have previous and next links on artwork detail pages<\/li>\n
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- DO ensure that your artwork detail pages have unique, sharable urls so they can be shared on social media\u00a0<\/li>\n
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- DO Organize your portfolio into logical collections (if needed)<\/li>\n
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- DO keep your collection names clear, short and simple<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT separate your site into separate “Portfolio” and “Store” areas.\u00a0 Let people purchase right from the portfolio.<\/li>\n
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- DO include a high resolution zoom so collectors can really see the detail in your work<\/li>\n
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- DO include a “view in room” feature so collectors can gauge the scale of the piece and visualize it in a room<\/li>\n
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- DO include both framed and unframed images (if the piece is available for purchase framed).<\/li>\n
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- DO include multiple image of the artwork as necessary (different angles for 3D art, framed, unframed, detail for 2D, etc)<\/li>\n
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SECTION C:\u00a0 MARKETING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO have a quotes & testimonials from collectors, respected artists and your galleries as social proof<\/li>\n
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- DO Have an email newsletter signup, preferably on every page<\/li>\n
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- DO have a way for collectors to sign up to be alerted when you have new artworks<\/li>\n
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- DO host your blog (if you blog) on the same domain as your website site<\/li>\n
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- DO use an SEO-friendly URL structure<\/li>\n
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- DO use Facebook open graph protocol on your pages so they can be shared & liked\u00a0 properly<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT shove pop up ads for your newsletter into the user’s face<\/li>\n
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- DO have a page that lists all your art galleries (if you sell through galleries)<\/li>\n
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- DO list the art associations of which you are a member<\/li>\n
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- DO list and highlight any signature memberships you earned<\/li>\n
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SECTION D: SALES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO Make purchasing EASY<\/li>\n
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- DO offer full-ecommerce purchasing of your art & products<\/li>\n
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- DO give purchasers the option to join your email list during checkout<\/li>\n
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- DO reach out\u00a0personally\u00a0<\/em>to people who abandon your shopping cart and offer to assist<\/li>\n
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<\/p>\n- DO Use high quality images<\/li>\n
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- DO have a nice photo of your artwork on your home page<\/li>\n
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- DO have photos of YOURSELF on your home page or your about page<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT use “stock photography”<\/li>\n
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SECTION F:\u00a0 CONTACTING YOU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO make it super-easy to contact you\u00a0<\/li>\n
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- DO have contact information at the bottom of every page<\/li>\n
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SECTION G: SOCIAL MEDIA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO Have social media icon links that link to your social media profile<\/li>\n
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- DO Make sure your linked social media profiles are PUBLIC<\/li>\n
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- DO Make sure your linked social media profile are active<\/li>\n
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- DO keep your linked social media profiles focused on your art<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT discuss politics on your linked social media profiles<\/li>\n
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SECTION H: BLOG<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO NOT Blog unless you want to and have something to say<\/li>\n
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- DO have your blog on your main website and not separate (if you do blog)<\/li>\n
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SECTION I:\u00a0 OTHER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n- DO keep your site light-weight and quick to load<\/li>\n
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- DO have a Copyright line in your site footer<\/li>\n
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- DO Use your logo to personalize the site if you have one<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT auto-play music on your site<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT disable the right-click button<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT resize the user’s browser window<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT “scrolljack” user’s scrollbar functionality<\/li>\n
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- DO NOT use Google Ads (or other ads) on your site<\/li>\n
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Utilize the 71 rules as a checklist to ensure that your artist website is professional, beautiful and helps you sell your art.<\/p>\n
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