8 Best Website Builders for Selling Art Online in 2024

You don’t want an uninspiring website that looks like all the others. Only a few website builders have all the tools needed to create an online space true to your artistry. It’s more than just about showcasing art – it’s about creating a website that reflects your unique voice.

The right website builder will let you display your artwork in its best light and should be super-customizable to allow your creative vision to shine through – without costing you a fortune. You’ll also need marketing features to ensure potential buyers can easily find your site. Since you’re a creative and not a techie (although you could be both!), it needs to be easy to use.

So, where does one find this magic, flexible, beginner-friendly, art-selling website builder? I tested some of the most popular website builders to find out how the features that matter most to art sellers compare.

Among them, Squarespace was the standout choice for selling art online. It’s easy to use and provides polished, artist-designed templates that present your artwork beautifully. Keep reading for more insights on Squarespace and other platforms that might suit your artistic needs.

What We Look For in the Best Website Builders for Selling Art Online

To narrow down the dozens of site builders, I’ve focused on the features that matter most to artists looking to showcase and sell their work online.

• Ease of use. You’re an artist, not a web developer. You don’t need any design experience to use these platforms – and you definitely don’t need to know how to code. The web builders are beginner-friendly and have an easy online store set up, giving you more time for your artistic endeavors.
• Design flexibility. Aesthetics are important to you – otherwise, you’d be in another business. I’ve investigated the extent to which these builders allow you to customize the look of your website so you can be sure you’ll have a unique online space.
• Value for money. You don’t want unnecessary fees eating into your profits. I’ve checked whether these website builders offer affordable e-commerce plans and if they charge commission or transaction fees. They also feature robust app stores with many free apps to help your online business thrive.
• Great image options. Your artwork is the star of the show, and so your website needs to make your pieces pop. These web builders all offer beautiful gallery layouts and enough storage space to upload high-quality images of your art.
• Strong SEO features. Don’t let those three letters scare you away! SEO is all about getting found on internet searches – in other words, it’s about getting more visitors to your website and making more sales. These site builders all offer tools to help you maximize traffic.

1. Squarespace: Polished, Designed Templates for Visual Artists1

Squarespace is widely regarded as the best of the best when it comes to design – which must be music to your ears. It also offers knock-out third-party integrations and great e-commerce features, making it a premium site builder through and through.

All 165+ of Squarespace’s minimalistic templates1 are likely to appeal to visual artists such as photographers, painters, and tattoo artists because they place images at the forefront, making effective use of white spaces and gallery layouts to make the visuals pop – although it’s worth noting that you’ll need ultra high-quality photos.

While I’m certain you’ll find a suitable theme among Squarespace’s options, you can also create your own template with Squarespace Blueprint. It’s a simple process that comes with enough creative freedom to create a truly unique art store. Blueprint is available on all plans, but you’ll need the Business plan (or higher) to add a shopping cart. You’ll also get zero transaction fees on invoices and a free custom domain.

Features

• Third-party integrations. Squarespace has teamed up with industry heavy-hitters to provide premium third-party integrations galore (seriously, the list is endless). From Mailchimp to FreshBooks and Printify, you’ll be able to market and sell art in the ways that suit you best.
• Image tools. Unsurprisingly for a website that’s all about design, Squarespace offers some great image tools, including a powerful built-in image editor, focal point control, and lightbox image gallery.
• Basic SEO tools. Squarespace offers standard functions like editing meta titles and descriptions within its editor. While there’s not a lot on the way to help beginners, the platform offers a list of vetted SEO experts that you can hire to help you build your site.
• Commerce platform. Squarespace’s simple-to-use yet powerful e-commerce platform is one of its biggest selling points. It offers online payments, social media sale integrations, automatic tax calculations, email reminders, product variation options, and gift cards.

For more features, check out our expert Squarespace review.

2. Wix: Best for Writers Seeking a Unique and Expressive Look1

I’m a fan of how Wix makes web design easy yet lets you dive deeper if you want more control over your site’s look. With its super simple drag-and-drop editor, ultra-flexible customization options, and reasonably priced plans, it’s perfect for both newbies and tech-savvy users who are familiar with website building.

For writers, design is often a reflection of your creative voice, and Wix’s library of over 800 templates offers plenty of options to match your style. While Wix’s artist-specific templates are visually stunning, you’ll also find several layouts tailored for writers1, bloggers, and other creatives. And if none of the templates quite fit your vision, Wix gives you complete control to customize every detail – whether it’s the fonts, colors, or even the structure of your site.

Wix offers four plans, including one that is forever free. But head’s up, the free version comes with ads, and you’ll have “wixsite.com” as your web address. It’s decent if you’re just starting out, but if you’re looking to monetize your writing, the Business plan is likely your best bet. It’s designed to handle payments, and every Wix plan gives you a free domain name for the first year, which is a great way to establish your author brand.

Features

• AI site generator. You can get a custom-designed website just by answering a few simple questions. It’s a pretty great feature for artists who want a professional site without spending hours mulling over design​​​​.
• Performance optimization. I appreciate how Wix handles performance optimization for high-resolution images and videos. You never have to worry about slow loading times. Wix seamlessly adjusts the quality and size of media, ensuring your site is both fast and visually stunning​​​​.
• Unstructured editor. The unstructured editor in Wix is a dream come true for creatives who like to think outside the box. You have the freedom to drag and drop elements anywhere on the page. It’s especially great for those with a keen eye for design, offering unparalleled control over the site’s layout​​.
• 24/7 support. Round-the-clock support is super handy for artists who might need a little extra help. And if you’re not an English speaker, you can use their chatbot or request a callback in one of 10 languages

Want to learn more? Read our expert Wix review.

3. SITE123: Best for Artists Who Are Short on Time1

It might not be the most customizable or feature-rich builder on this list, but SITE123 is super easy to use – making it the perfect option if you just want to get a simple store up and running quickly.

All 80+ of SITE123’s templates1 are pretty decent, and they even have a few specially designed for creative arts websites. You’ll also be able to add a store to your website and get access to advanced customization options like custom color schemes and a comprehensive font library.

With SITE123, it’s possible to build a basic website in a matter of minutes. It guides you through the whole building process with helpful hints along the way. However, SITE123’s point-and-click editor doesn’t give you as much creative freedom as builders like Wix.

Features

• Multiple language options. As an artist, offering your website in multiple languages can significantly broaden your audience. This feature is especially useful if your art resonates with a global market.
• SEO adviser tool. Designed for complete beginners, this built-in tool walks you through some basic steps to boost your website’s search engine ranking.
• 24/7 customer support. Round-the-clock support is vital for any artist running an online store. It ensures that help is always available if any issues arise.
• Blog creator. SITE123 lets you easily add a blog to your site. This can be a powerful tool to share your stories, process, and inspiration behind your work.

Read our expert SITE123 review for more details.

4. Webador: A Quick Solution for Less Tech-Savvy Artists1

Webador offers an uncomplicated, beginner-friendly building experience. Its main appeal lies in its simplicity and the speed at which it can set up a functional website to sell your art online. In less than 10 minutes, you can have a basic site up and running. This makes Webador great for artists who are eager to showcase their art online without getting bogged down by complicated setups.​​

I was really impressed with Webador’s digital map functionality, which is particularly handy if you have a physical gallery or studio. You can also embed links to your social media platforms, allowing your audience to follow your creative journey across different channels. What’s more, Webador’s built-in rating system allows customers to share positive feedback, providing a layer of trust that can turn casual browsers into committed buyers.

The platform provides over 55 mobile-friendly templates, ensuring your store looks great on any device. It also won’t charge you any commission fees. However, it’s important to note that Webador might not be the best choice if you want a website with complex e-commerce functionality or extensive customization features.

Features

• Variety of widgets. You’ll gain access to a variety of widgets that enhance your site’s flexibility, including tools for showcasing your portfolio and highlighting upcoming events or exhibitions.
• Custom forms. Whether you’re collecting feedback, inquiries about commissions, or gathering subscriber details for a newsletter, these forms can be tailored to fit your needs perfectly.
• Extensive help center. Webador’s extensive help center is there when you need it, offering step-by-step instructions and tips to help you get the most out of your site. It even includes basic site-building principles for beginners.
• Comment box. The comment box feature is a subtle yet effective way to engage with your audience. It allows visitors to leave feedback or ask questions directly on your site, fostering a sense of community.

See more in our expert Webador review.

5. Hostinger Website Builder: A Budget-Friendly Choice1

Hostinger offers over 150 pre-built templates, covering niches like photography, architecture, handmade ceramics, and handcrafted home decorations. There are also blank templates for artists who prefer to build their sites from scratch. With Hostinger’s intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can edit these templates and add elements like slideshows or create animations to showcase your art.

Building an online store is straightforward with Hostinger. Just click on the “Online Store” in the editor, and once you’ve filled in the necessary details, you can start adding your art as products. You can categorize them in a way that’s easy for potential buyers to navigate, and you can manage every order you get via your dashboard.

Hostinger’s low-cost Premium plan is a good starting point, as it provides unlimited bandwidth, free domain, unlimited free SSL, and 100 GB storage. However, to get access to AI tools, a free content delivery network (CDN), and more storage, you’ll have to upgrade to a higher plan. While I appreciate Hostinger’s cost-effectiveness, I don’t like that some of its higher-tier features are available on entry-level plans from other website builders.

Features

• AI website builder. If you’re short on time, you can use Hostinger’s AI website builder to create a functional website in just a few minutes. It handles much of the setup work for you, so you can spend less time on the technical aspects and more time on your craft.
• Built-in AI tools. Webador’s AI logo generator can help you create a brand identity that matches your artistic vision. Meanwhile, its AI content writer can assist in crafting engaging text for your site, ensuring your voice is heard.
• Useful marketing apps. Marketing your art is crucial, and Hostinger’s integration with apps like Facebook Pixel and Google AdSense makes this easier. Facebook Pixel helps track visitors, allowing you to retarget them with ads and increase your chances of making a sale. Google AdSense can help you monetize your site further, creating an additional revenue stream.
• Mobile editor. Hostinger lets you create and edit your website on your mobile device. You can switch between your phone and computer without losing your edits.

Read our expert Hostinger review for more details.

6. Shopify: Best Website Builder for Multichannel Support1

One aspect I really like about Shopify is the variety of its template offerings. While it provides free templates, the 160 premium ones are gorgeous, setting a high standard for online stores. This variety lessens the chance of your art store looking like thousands of others, allowing for a unique brand presentation. The high quality of these templates can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your online art store.

Shopify’s multichannel integration is a game-changer for artists selling online. It allows you to sync your products with major marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, as well as Instagram, Facebook, and Etsy. This broad reach means more eyes on your art, which is key to growing your business​​​​.

Shopify starts with a risk-free 3-day trial (no credit card required). While it can be pretty expensive, I found that the affordable Basic plan is worth the investment for serious art sellers. It’s more suitable for those fully invested in their art business rather than part-time hobby artists. Keep the cost in mind when planning to scale your online presence​​​​​​.

Features

• Extensive app store. With thousands of free and paid apps, you can extend the functionality of your website and manage all aspects of your business from one platform.
• First-class e-commerce features. Shopify’s tools for inventory management, product showcasing, and customer engagement help you present your work professionally and manage your business efficiently.
• Payment flexibility. The flexibility of Shopify’s payment system is a huge plus, especially for artists targeting a global audience. It supports a variety of payment providers, making transactions smoother for both you and your customers.
• International reach. You can customize your store for the international market. Shopify handles everything from SEO, layout, and content to product availability. Plus, it takes care of the nitty-gritty, like currency conversion and regional pricing strategies.

Check out our expert review for more info on Shopify.

Other Notable Website Builders for Selling Art Online

7. BigCommerce1

BigCommerce is a good choice for artists who want to expand their art sales online. It simplifies integrations with other platforms, offering scalability and robust features like the option to set up multiple unique storefronts based on product types, buyer segments, or regions. Its drag-and-drop page builder is easy to use and enables artists to easily craft a distinct, visually engaging digital store without complex technical know-how.

In terms of pricing, BigCommerce offers a range of plans to suit different business models, but they don’t come cheap, so I’ll only recommend BigCommerce for big-time, established artists. There is no free plan, but a 15-day free trial allows you to test the platform before committing. The Standard plan doesn’t charge any extra transaction fees on sales, and it offers unlimited products, storage, and bandwidth, which is great if you have an extensive portfolio.

8. IONOS1

While you won’t have the creative freedom that Wix or Shopify offer, IONOS allows you to add preformatted content blocks to your page with just a click. This ease of use is perfect for artists who want to sell online without the hassle of complicated functions. There’s also an AI Assistant that can help you save time by suggesting relevant text, images, and content blocks.

IONOS offers a limited selection of just 25 website templates – and only about 5 of these seem particularly fitting for artists. These templates look okay, but the limited variety means there just isn’t enough choice to cater to all artistic styles. That’s not to say that you can’t create a functional out-of-the-box website with IONOS, though.

I Found the Best Website Builder for Selling Art Online

Which website builder is right for you to sell art online depends on your priorities: is design your be-all and end-all, or are you looking for something that gives you greater customization options without the hefty price tag?

If you’re after design and high-quality templates, Squarespace is my top recommendation1. It offers visually-appealing templates and powerful e-commerce features—perfect for visual artists like photographers and painters.

Consider Wix if you want extensive customization1 options with a simple drag-and-drop editor. It’s great for writers who desire flexibility in design, allowing you to create a truly unique online presence.

Or, if scaling your art business is your main priority, go with BigCommerce1. It provides robust e-commerce tools and no additional transaction fees, making it easy to expand your art sales online.

Check out this table for a quick snapshot of each website builder’s key features.

FAQ

What is the best website builder for selling art?

Squarespace is the best website builder for selling art. I recommend it because it offers beautifully designed templates that highlight your art with clean lines and effective use of space. It’s perfect for visual artists who want a professional-looking site that effectively showcases their work.

What is the easiest website builder to sell art?

Webador stands out as the easiest website builder for selling art. It offers a very beginner-friendly interface with a drag-and-drop editor and great customization options. Webador also lets you integrate a digital map into your physical art store, and you can add a rating system for collectors to leave positive feedback.

Can I process payments directly on the website?

Absolutely, you can process payments directly on your website. Most website builders for artists offer integrated e-commerce platforms. These platforms support online payments and offer the tools you need to sell your art, manage payments, and even sort out shipping information straight from your site​​​​.

Can I connect my website with social media platforms?

Of course! Wix integrates with various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. These integrations are crucial for artists, as they help you promote your work and reach a wider audience through social media channels​​.