Check out this list of the best website builders for artists on the market.
Being an artist in the 21st century isn’t easy (has it ever been?). Not only do you need to be creative and master your craft, but you also need to create a strong online presence for yourself. Your website serves as a digital gallery of your work—making it inviting, easy to explore and aesthetically pleasing will encourage people to stay and learn more. How do you make a website if you’re not proficient in web design? The answer lies in choosing the right website builder, one that not only simplifies the design process but also supports your marketing and sales efforts.
You’ll need a website builder. But not just any website builder—you need one that not only simplifies the design process but also supports your marketing and sales efforts. Our list of the eight best website builders for artists is designed to help you find the one that’s tailor-made for your creative business.
Design your website with Wix today.
8 best website builders for artists
- Wix: best range of features
- SmugMug: best for photographers
- Format: best for illustrators and filmmakers
- Weebly: best for in-person sales
- GoDaddy: best for customer relationship management
- Pixpa: best for portfolio creation
- Faso: best for sculptors and painters
- Zyro: best for retail
01. Wix: best range of features
Have you heard of palimpsest art? It’s a relatively new art form in which you transform a painting into something new. Think of using website templates as a form of palimpsest art—the challenge is to transform a template to make it your own. With near-limitless customization opportunities and templates for all types of websites, Wix is your playground. Want to add some flair with parallax scrolling or tweak the color scheme? Go for it. How about setting up a shop that offers both original pieces and print-on-demand merch? You got it. You can even add custom code with Wix Velo to really make it yours.
If you’re too busy to get your hands dirty, the templates have enough personality and functionality to start with that you can simply upload your art and the platform will take care of the rest. If words aren’t your medium, there’s even a text creator that can write the copy for you.
But a visually stunning website is just half the story. The other half is robust performance, and that’s another area where Wix shines. With two decades of continuous refinement, Wix boasts an infrastructure that is not only secure for you and your visitors but also lightning-fast and reliable.
If all that weren’t enough, Wix also has the marketing tools you need to get your art the visibility it deserves. With robust SEO tools, Wix makes it easier for your target audience to find you. The ad manager is AI-powered, so you can put your campaign on autopilot. And let’s not forget its email marketing capabilities, which are essential for keeping your fan base in the loop.
Ready to have all these features at your fingertips? Sign up for Wix today.
02. SmugMug: best for photographers
Picture this: a space entirely devoted to showcasing your photos in the highest quality possible. That’s precisely what SmugMug offers. This isn’t just a generic website builder; it’s a specialized playground for photographers to display their work as vividly as they capture it.
SmugMug understands that your photos aren’t just pixels on a screen; they’re your business, and often, your livelihood. That’s why it comes equipped with robust eCommerce features. Whether you’re selling digital downloads or custom-printed canvases, SmugMug handles the complexities of online transactions, freeing you to focus on what you do best—creating stunning visual stories.
SmugMug isn’t just about creating a beautiful photography website; it’s also about preserving the integrity of your work. One standout feature is it offers unlimited storage with zero image compression. That means your photos remain as crisp and true-to-life as the moment you captured them, allowing you to display your art without compromise.
And let’s talk about workflow, because as any photographer knows, the process doesn’t end once you’ve snapped that perfect shot. SmugMug seamlessly integrates with Adobe Lightroom and photo platforms like Flickr to simplify your workflow.
03. Format: best for illustrators and filmmakers
It’s a rare find—a website builder equally useful for illustrators and filmmakers. But that’s exactly what Format delivers. Specializing as an art portfolio builder, Format hones in on the features that truly matter to you, such as copyright protection and integrated video hosting.
Illustrators, with Format you can effortlessly sell art online without having to pay commission fees. That’s right, you keep every cent you earn. Format also takes care of printing and shipping your digital illustrations so you can sell physical offerings such as canvas wraps, metal prints and more. Format also offers the opportunity to participate in its Artist Marketplace, a curated platform of artwork with global reach. The best part is, Format handles all the marketing and sales for you.
As for filmmakers, Format doesn’t skimp on the essentials. You can upload a generous 10GB of video clips, but the game-changer is the integrated video hosting. Forget the hassle of embedding videos from other platforms; with Format, everything is in-house, ensuring a streamlined and professional look for your portfolio. Coupled with their award-winning templates, you can tailor the showcase of your films to leave a lasting impression.
What’s more, every plan comes standard with robust copyright protection, so you can display your masterpieces without a second thought about unauthorized use. Need to manage customer interactions? Format’s CRM Light has you covered, simplifying the process of handling inquiries and requests.
And if you’re eyeing business expansion, Format’s Pro and Pro Plus plans let you set up a full-fledged online store on your site. It’s a comprehensive package, making Format the go-to choice for illustrators and filmmakers looking to showcase their work and grow their business.
04. Weebly: best for in-person sales
If you’ve ever participated in a craft fair or art show, you know that “cash only” is the best way to scare away customers. Today, people expect a variety of payment options, and that’s where Square comes in as a lifesaver. Often the go-to point-of-sale (POS) system for businesses on the move, Square has made in-person transactions a breeze. But what does this have to do with building a website? Quite a bit, actually, thanks to Square’s acquisition of Weebly in 2018.
This partnership elevates Weebly from just another website builder to a comprehensive sales platform for artists who sell their work in various settings. By using Weebly for your online presence and Square for your in-person transactions, you create a unified, streamlined business operation. Everything from inventory to sales data syncs in real-time across both platforms. So, whether you make a sale on your website or at a local art show, your inventory and financials are automatically updated. This level of integration eliminates the need for manual updates, reducing the risk of errors and freeing up more of your time to focus on your art.
05. GoDaddy: best for customer relationship management
As an artist, you’re already wearing multiple hats—creator, marketer and now webmaster. Juggling different platforms for various customer interactions can make your life unnecessarily complicated. But GoDaddy’s website builder streamlines this process, providing a one-stop hub for all your customer relationship management (CRM) needs.
Imagine not having to switch between multiple platforms just to keep track of your customer inquiries, reviews and sales. With GoDaddy, all of these aspects are integrated right into your website builder dashboard. That’s right—no need for a separate CRM system. Everything you need to maintain robust customer relationships is right there, accessible on any device, be it your desktop tablet, or phone.
What’s more, GoDaddy makes sure you stay connected with your clients without leaving the platform. All of its paid plans come with an in-built email feature that allows you to send targeted emails directly from the dashboard. Whether it’s a thank-you note for a recent purchase or an announcement about your latest collection, you can manage all your email communications in the same place you manage your website.
06. Pixpa: best for portfolio creation
What makes Pixpa the go-to choice for many artists is its specialization in portfolio websites. Let’s face it, as an artist, your work speaks for you, and Pixpa gets that. The platform offers a range of customizable, visually striking templates that allow you to showcase your art in the best light possible. The design focus is very much on the visual, catering to artists who want their work, not website widgets, to capture attention.
But it’s not just about putting up a pretty portfolio. Pixpa also understands that artists are entrepreneurs. That’s why they offer an integrated e-commerce platform designed to help you sell your art directly from your website. You don’t need to redirect your audience to third-party sales platforms; everything can be handled seamlessly within your Pixpa site.
Have clients who need private galleries? No problem. Pixpa enables password-protected galleries where you can share works-in-progress or client-specific collections securely. This makes the platform ideal for photographers, designers, or anyone who needs to provide restricted access to a selected audience.
What about growing your audience? Pixpa’s got you covered there too, with built-in SEO and marketing tools that help make sure people find you and not just another artist when they search online.
07. Faso: best for sculptors and painters
Ah, Faso—a dream come true for painters and sculptors wanting to break into the online art market. Picture your website as an elegant, virtual gallery where collectors and enthusiasts can stroll through the digital corridors, eyes widening at every masterpiece you’ve created. Faso transforms that vision into reality.
But Faso is far more than just a gallery; it’s a tool engineered to close sales. Ever browsed art online and wondered, “How would this painting look in my living room?” Faso erases that uncertainty with its innovative “View in Room” feature. This lets prospective buyers virtually “hang” your artwork in their own space, giving them a real sense of how it will fit into their world.
You’re an artist, not a marketer, but guess what? Faso’s got that covered too. Its Automated Marketing Platform pushes your art to an expansive network of over 70,000 collectors, galleries and art aficionados. Think of it as having your own PR team, amplifying your reach without you lifting a finger.
And for the cherry on top, Faso helps you establish a brand newsletter. If you’re wondering why that’s important, remember that repeat buyers are gold in any business. With a newsletter, you can keep your fan base updated on your latest works, upcoming exhibitions, or even your creative process. It’s an excellent way to maintain engagement and encourage repeat visits to your digital gallery.
So, if you’re a painter or sculptor looking to not only showcase but also sell your art online, Faso offers a well-rounded platform tailored to your needs. From visualizing art in a room to marketing your pieces to a wide audience, Faso equips you with the tools to turn your passion into profit.
08. Zyro: best for retail
Zyro takes the cake for artists keen on setting up an online store without the fuss. The platform offers two standout features that make it a no-brainer: built-in payment processing and advanced AI tools. Let’s unpack that, shall we?
Firstly, Zyro’s integrated payment processing is a godsend. No need to mess with third-party apps; you can accept credit and debit card payments from over 40 countries right out of the box. Options like Google Pay and Apple Pay are readily available, simplifying the usually daunting task of configuring payment options. And the icing on this convenient cake? Zyro doesn’t charge any transaction fees. Yep, you heard it right: 100% of your store’s profits stay in your pocket, and all this is accessible even on their base plan.
Now, onto the AI perks. Branding can make or break your online store, and Zyro offers a suite of AI tools tailored to boost your brand identity. Take their free AI logo maker, for instance. Even if you’re not a design whiz, you can easily craft a logo that speaks to your artistic style and resonates with your audience.
Sign up for Wix today.