Selecting Work for Website

A concise selection of your best work will have more impact than entire portfolio. Too many sections can be confusing. Gallery owners and art directors see many artist websites, so will appreciate a simple, easy-to-navigate site.

Images

Send images as JPEGS. Use a professional photographer if possible, but if taking yourself, keep work flat and use natural light. File sizes are reduced for use on web, so expect some loss of quality.

Text

Aim to be concise and informative. Avoid large blocks of text which are hard to read on screen. Writing a biography or artist's statement is challenging - ask a friend to edit and check spelling/grammer.

Links

Only link to relevant sites eg. your gallery, blog, reviews etc. Don't send viewer away from your website without reason, and always say where link is going.

Blog

A blog is a good way to post news, shows, current projects etc. - but make sure to keep up to date. Wordpress and Tumblr are good platforms for artist's blog (links on left).

• Promoting Site
• Join online artists register and forums. (see artlinks on left) Links to site from reputable sources enhance listing on search engine.
• Website address on business cards/postcards/posters etc.
• Collect email addresses and mail link
• Video can help search engine ranking, upload to video sharing site such as Vimeo and link to from site (see left)
• Write a blog (see above)
• Social networking - Facebook/Twitter etc.

Domain Name

This is address of your website. Advisable to register asap. in case someone beats you to it. Use domain checker on left, or search for domain name companies. If you like, I can register on your behalf (see terms)

Web Hosting

Website files are stored on a large computer that send the file to your browser when requested. There is rental charge for space on server of about £3-7 per month. AWB can provide hosting, or you can organise (see terms)

PORTFOLIO/testimonials

how to order/Get quote

price/layout

HINTS & TIPS/links

about/contact

artlinks

• artquest.org.uk : Practical advice for artists
• a-n.co.uk : Website of Artist's Newsletter magazine
• artsadmin.co.uk : Weekly email for artists, information relating to funding/commissions etc.
• artslant.com : Contemporary artist's network
• theaoi.com : Association of Illustrators
• artreview.com : Art Review Magazine
• axisweb.org : Axis - Artists' register
• dacs.org.uk : Designers and Artists Copyright society
• artworkbook.net : Nothing to do with this site, but I bought this book because of great name (!) and can recommend, advice for artists..on real paper
• humblevoice.com : Artist community
• royalacademy.org.uk : Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Enter in March.
• saatchionline.com : Saatchi, artist community website to sell art online.
• own-it.org : Intellectual property advice for Artists and Creative Business
• parkerharris.co.uk : Opportunities for artists
• kickstarter.com : World's largest funding platform for creative projects

weblinks

• dropbox.com : Free service, easy to send large images and file storage. 500mb free via this link*
• colorpicker.com : Tool for choosing website colours
• paypal.com : Online payments
• etsy.com : U.S. based online shop for hand-made stuff
• mailchimp.com : Easy email newletters
• lighthousedarkroom.com : I also design websites for small business, and Lighhouse is excellent photographic print service
• redbubble.com : Simplifys selling online for creatives
• wordpress.com : Best platform to start a blog
• tumblr.com : Alternative blogging, good for images
• vimeo.com : Video sharing. Upload and link to from your site.