Shopify for artists: The complete guide to selling art on Shopify

Are you an artist passionate about sharing your creations with the world, but not sure where to start? Imagine having your very own online art gallery—your art showcased to global audiences, available for purchase with just a few clicks. With the right tools, that dream can become a reality. 

That’s where Shopify for artists comes in—a platform that makes setting up your shop simple and incredibly effective. In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through the entire process, from setting up your shop to strategies for boosting sales in the digital art space.

By integrating Gelato’s print on demand services, you can bring your art to life globally without sacrificing the quality that makes your work unique in the art world.

• Shopify offers a user-friendly, customizable, and scalable platform ideal for artists to sell art online globally in the art market. It offers integrated payment and shipping options and robust marketing tools.

• While there are many pros, like global reach and 24/7 customer support, artists should consider cons such as monthly fees, transaction fees, a learning curve, and app dependency before starting their own online store.

• Steps to start selling art on Shopify include setting up the account, choosing a theme, adding products, integrating payment and shipping options, optimizing for SEO, promoting the store, and ongoing management.

• Artists can drive sales on their online art stores by offering personalized art options, limited-time promotions, referral programs, customer reviews, influencer collaborations, and free shipping.

Yes, Shopify is a fantastic platform for artists to sell their own digital art. Its user-friendly interface, customizable themes, and various features make it perfect for creating, marketing, and selling artwork online. Integrated payment and shipping options, as well as marketing tools, ensure a smooth experience. The Shopify app store also helps reach a global audience to increase sales and brand visibility. 

Like any platform, Shopify has strengths and weaknesses. Let's discuss the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Pros

• User-friendly platform: Setting up your online art store on Shopify is a breeze, even if you're not a tech whiz. The intuitive interface guides you through each step so you can focus on what you do best—creating digital art. 

• Customizable design: Want your online store to reflect your unique artistic style? Shopify offers an array of customizable themes that can be tailored to suit your brand's aesthetic. Every detail, from fonts to color schemes, can be adjusted to create a visually stunning storefront.

• Scalable for growth: As your art business flourishes, Shopify grows with you. Effortlessly manage expanding product lines and increasing orders while accessing advanced features for scaling. With Shopify, you can focus on your creativity while the platform supports your business growth.

• Integrated payment and shipping options: Shopify offers customers multiple payment methods and streamlined shipping processes. It automatically calculates shipping rates, prints shipping labels, and syncs with carriers, making order fulfillment efficient and hassle-free.

• Global reach: With Shopify, you can easily reach customers worldwide, expanding your market and increasing potential sales. Leverage international shipping and multi-currency options to offer a smooth shopping experience to art enthusiasts everywhere.

• Marketing tools: Shopify offers a suite of marketing tools to help you reach your audience effectively. Promote your art using email marketing, social media integrations, and SEO features. Use apps like Facebook Channel and SEO Suite to run targeted campaigns and drive traffic.

• 24/7 customer support: Whether you have questions about store setup, troubleshooting issues, or advice on improving sales, Shopify's support team is just a chat or call away, providing you with peace of mind 24/7.

Cons

• Monthly fees: While Shopify offers many benefits, it requires a monthly subscription fee starting at $39/month. This cost can add up, especially for budding artists on a tight budget. However, the investment often pays off through the platform’s robust features and potential for increased sales.

• Transaction fees: Besides the monthly subscription, Shopify charges a transaction fee ranging from 2.4% to 2.9% + 30¢ per sale, depending on your plan. This can impact your profit margins, but using Shopify Payments can help reduce these fees and streamline the payment process.

• Learning curve for customization: Although Shopify is user-friendly, mastering customization can take time. Artists may need to learn to tweak themes and settings to reflect their brand and vision perfectly. Fortunately, Shopify offers resources to help, including tutorials and community forums. 

• App dependency: Relying on apps to extend Shopify's functionalities can sometimes be overwhelming. While apps enhance your store's capabilities, managing multiple apps may require additional time and expense. 

• Limited free themes: While Shopify provides numerous themes, the selection of free options is somewhat limited. This means you may need to invest in a premium theme to fully capture your artistic vision.

With the pros and cons noted, let's now explore the step-by-step process of setting up your art store on Shopify. 

1. Set up your Shopify account

Before selling your art on Shopify, you need to set up your account. Here's what you need to do: 

• Sign up for Shopify: Visit the Shopify website and click the “Start free trial” button. Enter your email address, create a password, and provide a name for your store.

• Fill out your details: After signing up, you’ll be asked a few questions about your business to tailor your Shopify experience. These could include your current revenue, whether you’re already selling, and where you plan to sell.

• Choose a pricing plan: Shopify offers various plans based on your needs. During the 14-day free trial, you can explore features and pick the plan that suits you best before making any financial commitment.

2. Choose a theme

The right theme beautifully showcases your artwork and offers potential buyers a user-friendly experience. Here are some key points to consider when selecting your Shopify theme: 

• Understand your brand: Your theme should reflect your artistic style and brand ethos. Whether your art is modern, vintage, or abstract, ensure the theme aligns with your overall aesthetic.

• Prioritize usability: Look for themes that are easy to navigate, ensuring that your customers can find what they’re looking for without any hassle. A clean, intuitive layout can improve user experience.

• Focus on customization: Opt for themes that offer flexibility. Adjusting colors, fonts, and design elements will help you create a unique store that stands out.

3. Add your art products

After choosing a theme, it's time to add your artwork to your store. This step is crucial, as it’s where your art truly comes to life for potential buyers. Here's how you can set this up:

• Provide high-quality images: Upload high-resolution images that accurately represent your art. Consider using multiple angles to give customers a comprehensive view.

• Write compelling descriptions: A well-written description can make a big difference. Include the inspiration behind the piece, the materials used, and other details that connect emotionally with the audience.

• Set accurate prices: Pricing your art correctly is vital. Consider factors like the cost of materials, time spent, and market rates. You can also use Shopify's built-in tools to help with pricing strategies.

4. Integrate payment and shipping options

By setting up reliable payment and shipping methods, you can give your buyers various choices, enhancing their shopping experience. Here's how to navigate this: 

• Currency settings: Enable multiple currencies to cater to an international audience. This feature ensures that your customers can see prices and pay in their local currency, making transactions smoother.

• Shipping methods: Decide whether to offer free, flat rate or real-time carrier shipping based on weight and destination. Each option has its own merits, so select the one that aligns with your business model.

• Tax information: To ensure your store is tax-compliant, set up tax rates based on your location and where you ship goods.

5. Optimize for SEO

By optimizing your Shopify store for SEO, you can increase its visibility in search engine results, attracting potential customers. Here's how you can make the most of Shopify's SEO features:

• Optimize meta titles and descriptions: Customize your meta titles and descriptions to include relevant keywords, making them enticing for users to click on when they appear in search results.

• Use descriptive, keyword-rich URLs: For better search engine indexing, ensure your product and page URLs are clear and descriptive and include your primary keywords.

• Leverage alt tags for images: Add descriptive alt tags to your images, incorporating keywords where appropriate. This practice helps search engines understand the content of your images to improve your site's SEO.

6. Promote your store

Once your Shopify store is set up and your products are listed, the next step is to spread the word. Here are some effective ways to promote your store and boost your art sales: 

• Utilize social media: Share your art on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Use relevant hashtags, engage with followers, and post consistently to build a strong social media presence.

• Leverage email marketing: Create an email list to inform your audience about new releases, special offers, and upcoming events. Use Shopify’s built-in tools to power your email marketing strategy. 

• Run paid ads: To effectively target potential buyers, consider investing in paid advertising through platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google. Shopify offers integration with these advertising channels. 

7. Launch and manage your store

You're almost there! Launching your Shopify art store is an exciting milestone. Here’s how you can successfully launch and manage your store: 

• Review your setup: Double-check that all your product listings, payment gateways, and shipping options are correctly configured. It's crucial to ensure there are no last-minute glitches.

• Test your checkout process: Place a test order to see what your customers will experience. This helps spot potential issues and ensures a smooth shopping experience.

• Handle customer inquiries promptly: Respond quickly to provide excellent customer service. Happy customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and leave positive reviews.

Now that you know the steps to sell art on Shopify, here are a few actionable tips to help you attract more customers and increase your revenue.

Provide personalized art options

Offering personalized art options can enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. With Gelato's personalization studio, artists can easily provide bespoke prints that cater to individual tastes and preferences. 

Offer limited-time promotions

Offer limited-time promotions to create a buzz around your art. This tactic incentivizes customers to purchase quickly and helps you clear out older inventory. Use Shopify's built-in tools to schedule and automate your promotions and spread the word through social media and email newsletters.

Create a referral program

Offer incentives like discounts or freebies for each successful referral. Using apps like ReferralCandy or Smile.io can simplify setting up and managing your program, making it easy to track referrals and reward your loyal customers for spreading the word.

Highlight customer reviews

Encourage satisfied buyers to leave testimonials and highlight these on your product pages and social media. Real feedback from happy customers can persuade potential buyers to purchase, enhancing your store's reputation and driving conversions. 

Collaborate with influencers

Seek out influencers whose audience aligns with your target market. Offer them exclusive discounts or a commission for every sale they drive to your store. Create mutually beneficial relationships by providing influencers with your artwork to showcase in their posts, stories, or videos.

Offer free shipping

Consider offering free shipping on orders over a certain amount to encourage larger purchases. Clearly communicate this benefit on your homepage and product pages to attract more customers and increase your conversion rates.

Inspiration is essential for any artist— here are a few successful Shopify art stores to get your mind working! 

Cats on Catnip

This store stands out with its playful and niche focus on cat-themed art. The design is colorful and fun, appealing to cat lovers who appreciate whimsical and light-hearted creations. The product descriptions are witty, and the store uses humor to engage its audience. 

Takeaway: Find a niche market and cater specifically to its interests. Engaging content and humor can make your store memorable.

The Printed Peanut

This store uses vibrant illustrations and a quirky design to attract customers. Their marketing strategy includes frequent updates on social media and engaging storytelling, as well as sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process and personal stories from the artist. They offer limited-run prints and frequently refresh their collection, encouraging repeat visits. 

Takeaway: Connect with your audience using social media and compelling narratives. Regular updates and fresh content will keep them engaged.

Emily McDowell & Friends

This Shopify store offers unique, hand-lettered art that resonates emotionally with its audience. It also offers personalized products, enhancing customer engagement by allowing customers to add their own touch to the artwork. Its email marketing is particularly strong, using personalized messages and exclusive offers to build customer loyalty. 

Takeaway: Personalization and emotional connection can boost sales and help to create a deeper bond with your customers.

Setting up an online art shop doesn’t have to be a huge obstacle—with Shopify, you’ll be up and running in no time. 

Take your Shopify art store to the next level with Gelato's comprehensive solutions. Our print on demand platform ensures your artwork is reproduced with impeccable quality and integrated with Shopify for a hassle-free experience.

Gelato also offers various subscription plans that cater to different needs, whether you're just starting out or looking to scale up. With global shipping and responsive customer support, you can reach art lovers worldwide and manage your orders and inventory effortlessly. With these powerful tools, you can optimize your store, expand your audience, and enhance your sales strategy.

Ready to elevate your art business? Sign up for Gelato and choose a subscription plan today!

Is selling art online profitable?

Yes, selling art online can be profitable. Success hinges on factors like marketing, pricing, and quality. Using platforms like Shopify helps streamline sales, and integrating services like Gelato ensures efficient production and global distribution of art prints, boosting profitability and reach.

Which Shopify theme is best for artists?

For artists, Shopify themes like "Express" and "Narrative" are great options. These themes emphasize visual storytelling and showcase products beautifully. They offer customizable features that help your artwork shine and create an engaging visitor experience. 

Is Shopify or Etsy better for selling art?

Shopify offers more customization and scalability for growing an art business, making it ideal for those wanting a full-fledged online store. Thanks to its built-in audience, Etsy is great for beginners but has fewer customization options. Choose based on your business needs and growth plans.

Which ecommerce platform is best for artists?

Shopify is an ideal artist due to its user-friendly interface, customizable designs, advanced marketing tools, and easy integration with print on demand services like Gelato. Its comprehensive features cater to artists' needs, making selling and marketing artwork globally easier.