How to Sell Your Art Online (and Actually Make Money Doing It)

Selling your art online opens the door to a wider audience—and it’s easier than you might think. While the process can feel overwhelming at first, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

With the right tools and strategies, you can set up your online shop in under 30 minutes, attract the right buyers, and build a thriving online art business. 

Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your approach, our guide will help you take the next steps toward selling online with confidence.

Where to sell your art online 

Before you can start selling your art online, you need a digital storefront where you can showcase your work, take payments, and fulfill orders. 

Some artists prefer marketplaces like Etsy or Amazon Handmade where similar products from a variety of sellers are shown to potential buyers at once. Others prefer to manage their own online store with ecommerce platforms such as Big Cartel or Shopify.

The platform you choose shapes how you show off your art, connect with buyers, and keep more of your hard-earned cash in your pockets.

When looking at the different online store platforms available, think about:

• Does the platform fit your art and business needs?

• What are the costs involved?

• How much creative freedom do you have?

• Does it support in-person sales?

• Is it simple to manage orders and fulfillment?

While there are many options to choose from, Big Cartel is great for artists and makers due to its ease of use. You don’t need to be technical or have prior experience selling online in order to use the platform. The ecommerce platform offers both free and affordable plans with no hidden fees and fully customizable templates that help you present your work in a professional way while still reflecting your brand’s unique personality. 

For those who sell at art fairs and local markets, the Big Cartel mobile app (available for Android and iOS) makes it easy to accept in-person payments for products from your online store, ensuring that your sales process is seamless whether you're selling online or in person.

You don’t have to stick to just one platform, either. While having your own shop gives you more control, marketplaces like Etsy can help new customers discover you with their built-in audiences. However, they come with higher fees and intense competition, so they work best as a complement to your own website rather than as your primary sales channel. 

How to make your art stand out online

Since buyers can’t see your work in person, your product photos and descriptions need to do the selling for you. Think of your shop as your gallery—how you present your art can make the difference between someone scrolling past or making a purchase.

Use high-quality images

Great photos make all the difference when selling art online. Use high-resolution images that capture the details and true colors of your work.

Natural lighting and a clean background keep the focus on your art, while multiple angles and lifestyle shots help buyers picture it in their space.

If you're working with larger or more intricate pieces, hiring a pro can be worth it—but a well-lit setup and a little practice can go a long way toward taking your own photos.

Write compelling product descriptions

Tell the story behind the piece—what inspired it, the techniques used, and any details about the materials, size, or framing. Buyers often want to know how a piece will fit into their space, so mentioning whether it's framed, ready to hang, or printed on specific materials can be the deciding factor in a purchase.

Well-crafted descriptions not only provide essential information but also improve your search visibility by including relevant keywords.

How to price your art

Determining the right price for your art can be one of the most challenging aspects of selling online. Pricing your art too low can cut into your profits, while pricing it too high may discourage potential buyers. Striking the right balance ensures that your work remains both valuable and accessible to your audience.

When pricing your art, ask yourself:

• What are the material, production, and platform fees for each piece? Document these costs to ensure you’re not underselling yourself, and re-evaluate every 6-12 months to ensure you’re still making a profit.

• How much time did I spend creating this piece, and what is my desired hourly rate? Include a fair wage for your time in your pricing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows fine artists made an average of $28.51/hr in 2023.

• What is my level of experience, training, and recognition in the art world? Emerging artists may need to price lower initially to build their presence, while more established artists can command a higher price.

• How do my target audience’s location or economic conditions affect their purchasing power? Your prices need to reflect where you’re selling to make your art more accessible while still maintaining profits.

• Am I letting personal attachment to this piece influence my price? Many artists let emotions dictate pricing as each piece is special to them, but buyers value physical attributes such as size, medium, and quality.

Whatever price you decide on, remember to keep it consistent whether you’re selling across multiple platforms, in a gallery, or within a local artist collective. Consistency builds trust with buyers and reassures them that they are purchasing from a reliable and professional artist. When buyers see consistent pricing, branding, and communication, they feel more confident in their purchase, making them more likely to return and recommend your work to others.

Shipping, packing & fulfillment tips for selling your art online

Once you make a sale, a smooth buying experience keeps customers coming back. Quick updates, solid packaging, and a little personal touch (like a thank-you note) go a long way in building trust.

If you’re handling shipping yourself, take care to package your artwork securely to ensure nothing is broken while in transit, and choose a reliable carrier to whisk your art off to its new home. 

If handling inventory and shipping isn’t your thing, print-on-demand services can be a great alternative. You connect your shop to a print-on-demand service like Printful or Art of Where to sell prints, canvases, and merchandise. Orders are fulfilled automatically, saving you time, effort, and the hassle of storing inventory.

In case you were wondering—yes, Big Cartel offers seamless integration into both of those popular Print On Demand services.

Promoting your art and finding your people

Selling online is just the start—now it’s time to get your art in front of the right people. Marketing your art is more than just pushing sales; it’s about helping the right buyers discover your amazing artwork and getting them to make a purchase.

Leverage social media platforms

Social media platforms are great for reaching a larger audience and engaging with potential buyers. Many makers like platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest as they’re more visual platforms than the others.

Use these platforms to share behind-the-scenes content, work-in-progress shots, and snapshots of you, the maker, behind the art rather than trying to constantly push sales.

People connect with the artist as much as the art. The more you interact—whether it's through thoughtful responses or behind-the-scenes content—the more you’ll grow a community that supports and shares your work.

Start a mailing list

Building an email list lets you send updates about new pieces, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive sales. It’s a great way to nurture relationships with collectors and potential buyers. 

Big Cartel, like other ecommerce platforms, offers integration with email marketing platforms like MailChimp to sync your customers and their purchase data with your email list. When you do this, you can create automated post-purchase follow-up emails or target emails to customers who haven’t purchased in a while.

Unlike social media, where algorithms control what your followers see, emails go directly to your audience’s inbox, giving you a direct line of communication.

Collaborate with other artists

Partnering with other artists on limited-edition pieces, working with brands on creative projects, or joining online art collectives can open up new opportunities. These collaborations not only increase exposure but also build valuable relationships within the creative community.

Handling customer inquiries and building trust

Buyers often have questions before making a purchase, so addressing common concerns upfront builds trust. Many shoppers hesitate due to uncertainty about quality, shipping reliability, or return policies. Provide clear information about shipping times, care instructions, and return policies to make the purchasing decision easier.

An FAQ section on your website will answer these questions before they even arise. Consider including responses to common concerns such as materials used, estimated shipping times, return or exchange policies, and whether custom orders are available. 

When you engage with potential buyers through social media DMs, comments, and emails, you’re building trust. A quick, friendly response can make the difference between a sale and an abandoned cart, showing buyers that you are accessible and attentive.

Encouraging repeat business and referrals

Making a sale is just the beginning—the goal is to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers and brand advocates. A simple thank-you email can turn a one-time buyer into a lifelong fan. Follow up after a purchase, invite them to connect on social media, and offer an exclusive sneak peek at your next collection—it’s an easy way to keep your art top of mind.

You can also encourage word-of-mouth promotion by offering referral incentives, such as a discount for customers who share your work with friends or tag you in social media posts. Personalized interactions, loyalty perks, and exclusive previews of new artwork can also help build long-term customer relationships, ensuring that your online art business continues to grow.

Final thoughts: start small & keep growing

Selling your art online doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right platform (hint: Big Cartel), strong product photos, and a little marketing, you can start building a shop that works for you.

Every artist starts somewhere, and growth takes time. The key is to stay consistent—keep refining your approach, engaging with your audience, and experimenting with what works. With each sale, post, and new piece you create, you’re building something bigger.

Most importantly, keep sharing your art with the world. Your next buyer is out there—make it easy for them to find you.

Set up your Big Cartel shop today and start selling in minutes.