"Do you have a web site?"
That seems to be the hot question in art circles. As if somehow having a
web site is the measure of success. But as many of you already know,
having a web site doesn't ensure that you'll sell anything. So, how do
you make the best use of your web site? What makes a web site work? Is
it better to have your own site or be in with a group? We recently
interviewed Larry Berman of Berman Graphics, and learned what makes a
successful web site. |
How does your company differ from the other web page
designers out there?
We are geared toward artists and photographers. After 25 years selling
my own photography at art shows, I have an understanding of the needs of
photographers and artists. We don't just build the web site and push you
out the door; we teach you how to promote your site. |
| What are some of the ways artists can promote their
web sites? Artists can collect e-mail addresses from people who
visit their booths at shows and through an e-mail collection feature on
the web site. We recommend starting this even before the web site is
built. These people can then be e-mailed upon completion of the site.
Imagine being able to contact hundreds of people who are interested in
your work and start selling from the first day. Artists should
prominently feature their URL on all collateral material - business
cards, letterhead, postcards, brochures, ads. |
Besides the site design, what other services do you
offer? What additional fees might a customer incur beyond the initial
design charges?
We start at $550 for a web presence to get you started collecting e-mail
addresses. For $1500 you get a fully functional web site with a unique
design that captures the essence of the artwork. We will create twelve
individual product pages to showcase your work, professionally scanned
and optimized images, galleries of thumbnail pictures, detailed picture
pages, ordering information, an artist statement, bio page and the
initial submission of the web site to the major search engines. In
addition, we offer "a la carte" services such as additional
gallery pages, guest book and secure shopping. For more specifics, visit
our web site http://BermanGraphics.com. |
| There are so many sites out there -, mind boggling,
really. How can an artist/photographer ensure that their site is easily
found? Promote, promote, promote! The adage "build it and they
will come" does NOT apply to web sites. We always recommend having
an easily remembered or identified URL. If the name you want is already
taken we can suggest alternatives. Links are another way to bring in
traffic. But you have to be careful. Your potential customer can get
lost from your site if external links take him away. When a client
requests a links page, we recommend having the external links open in a
new browser window so they don't actually leave your site. |
Do people really purchase art photography over the
Internet, or are sites more like an on-line gallery for viewing work by
a particular artist photographer?
People do purchase over the Internet, but usually not without first
seeing the artist's work at a show or in a gallery. Again, the web site
should be viewed as a marketing tool to augment other promotional
materials, not as the only marketing an artist needs to do. What other
marketing efforts do you suggest artists photographers use to augment
their site? You need to keep your name and your images fresh in
prospective buyers minds. E-mail is a free way to keep in contact with
collectors and prospects and keep them apprised of your show schedule,
new works, or awards. I recommend having an artist's signature (most
popular) image printed on a business card, along with a prominently
placed web site URL to hand out at art shows. That way, your web site
and image style is always fresh in, the minds of your customers. Mailing
out a postcard (again, feature your web site URL) once or twice a year
to everyone on your list also keeps you in their minds. |
Do you think an artist just starting to market his or
her work would be wise to invest in a web site, or is it more for the
established artist?
An artist just starting out could begin with a basic site of best
sellers and begin amassing e-mail addresses. The, fact that someone has
a web site gives the perception that they are "established".
The other thing to consider is that a web site is not a static entity,
it can change as your work changes, not like a printed catalog which
costs a fortune and is outdated as soon as it comes off the press. |
What do you think turns a viewer into a buyer?
On a web site, a quick download time is critical. The images need to be
clear and bright enough to give the viewer a good idea of what the
original work looks like. A site needs to be easy to navigate, with all
the ordering information for each piece listed underneath. |
What do you think is the biggest turn-off when viewing
a web site?
Slow loading images and confusing navigation. |
Many of the large art web, sites are not turning a
profit - any ideas?
Most of those, sites operate under the premise that "if you build
it, they will come" and buy. Buying art is different than buying
furniture. Most people want a connection to the artist - that is why art
shows are successful. The large sites have so much art to choose from
that people can get intimidated by too many choices, and nothing to make
one piece, or one artist, stand out above the others. So they buy
nothing. Think of it this way. If you send potential customers to a site
to see your work, do you want them to purchase from your competitor? |
Where do you see the future of marketing art and
photography over the Internet?
Aside from more and more photographers and artists using the Internet as
a means to promote their work, I don't know what the future holds. I
think the Internet will become more useful to artists in ways we haven't
imagined before, such as the art show jury process. If instead of flying
jurors in to view slides together, each juror could view and vote on the
images in his/her own home using a computer, that might allow each juror
more time to look at each piece. With 3-D graphics programs getting more
and more sophisticated, I think we'll be seeing more sculpture being
showcased. |
Any last thoughts?
Although we don't know where the Internet will take us, it is here to
stay and is an important way for artists and photographers to promote
their work. It levels the playing field a little - an artist from a
small town has as much chance as an artist living in a metropolitan area
to get his or heir work seen by thousands of potential buyers. Having a
well-designed and well-promoted web site will increase your chances of
success. Unless you thoroughly understand the language and art of web
site design it is crucial that you form a partnership with a webmaster
who understands and is sympathetic to your
needs. -KD |
