You know what takes as much courage as creating art? Sharing it with the world. And that's exactly what we are talking about today.
We’re talking about your website. But before you tense up thinking about technology, here’s what nobody tells you: the most important skills for an effective website, you already have them. They’re the same ones you use in your studio every single day.
Here’s what I’ve noticed: as artists, we are perfectly comfortable learning complex, new techniques for our art. We dive into new mediums, we master intricate skills, and we develop our unique voices.
But for some reason, when it comes to creating our websites or navigating tech-heavy situations, that confidence just disappears.
So today, I want to shift how you think about your website.
Here’s the truth: the actual building of your website? That’s not even the most important part. And you’re already better equipped for this journey than you think.
[Section 1: Reframing Your Website Mindset]
Let’s start with something important. There’s nothing wrong with hiring a web designer. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending money on a website if that’s the right choice for you.
But it needs to be an informed choice—not just the only option you feel you have.
[Section 2: Truth #1 – Your Creative Skills Are Perfect for This]
Think about what you already do as an artist:
- You understand visual composition and flow.
- You know how to tell stories through your work.
- You’re experienced at presenting your art professionally.
- You solve creative problems every single day.
These exact skills translate perfectly to creating an effective online presence. You just need to apply them in a new context and to a new medium.
[Section 3: Truth #2 – Technology is Part of Your Growth]
Truth number two: your relationship with technology is part of your professional growth.
Just like you didn’t master your primary medium overnight, you don’t need to master everything about websites immediately. What you need is enough understanding to make informed decisions about your digital presence.
One of my favorite stories to tell is about how, earlier this year, I needed to learn a lot of technology to build the business I truly wanted to serve artists. That included learning no-code tools, databases, and a ton of other tech I had never touched before.
What I did was immerse myself in spaces where I didn’t necessarily understand the language people were using. I started with small projects and did what I could with what I did understand. And you know what? Eventually, things started to click into place.
It’s the same thing we do with our art. You can do it with technology too.
[Section 4: Truth #3 – Starting Simple is Smart]
Truth number three: starting simple is smart. It’s not settling.
Your first website does not need to be your forever website. Just like your art practice evolves, your online presence will too. What matters is building something that can grow with you and change as you learn more.
Even for myself, my current website isn’t perfect. Honestly, if I had peers or anyone else look at it critically, I might cringe. But here’s the thing—it serves the needs of my business effectively right now.
I’m choosing to focus my energy elsewhere strategically because it’s doing the baseline of what I need. And if I poured more energy into making it “perfect,” it wouldn’t serve me any better than it already does.
[Section 5: Truth #4 – Data is Your Friend]
Truth number four: data is your friend.
A lot of people get uncomfortable with the idea of website data, but let’s reframe it. Data isn’t just a set of cold numbers; it’s insights into how people engage with your work online.
Metrics can tell you:
- Which artworks capture the most attention.
- Which pages are visited most frequently.
- How people are finding your website—through social media, Google searches, or direct visits.
Years ago, I realized that most people were finding my site through SEO, not Instagram. That insight helped me shift my energy and focus where it mattered most.
Data is like feedback you get during a gallery show. It helps you understand what connects with people and informs your decisions moving forward.
[Section 6: Truth #5 – Own and Control Your Digital Presence]
Truth number five: you deserve to own and control your digital presence.
Just as you wouldn’t let someone else own the rights to your artwork without compensation, you should maintain ownership of your website’s digital assets.
This means:
- Owning your domain name.
- Ensuring you have access to your hosting platform.
- Retaining control over all content on your site.
There are web services out there that lock people into contracts where they lose access to their own websites if they stop paying fees. Avoid those situations by ensuring you always hold the keys to your digital assets.
[Closing Section: Take the First Step]
Your website should serve your art business, not your ego. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting your site to look perfect, but remember: “perfect” isn’t profitable if it prevents progress.
Start simple, focus on what matters most, and allow your website to grow as your business evolves.
Every artist who rocks their online presence today started exactly where you are now. The only difference is that they took that first step.
