Hi, Everyone!

I'm sure a lot of you like me wonder how you can get more visits to your website, and get more commissions as well. I was reading Artist's Magazine (which I fully recommend getting www.artistsmagazine.com) and bumped into a very helpful article on how to increase your web presence. I thought it was so good I just had to share it with my fellow deviants.

According to the article once you have a website up the first thing you should do is get your URL out there on search engines (such as Google, Yahoo, MSN). To do this simply type "submit URL" in any search engine and it will bring up a link for you to submit your URL. Some search engines rank your site based on links to it on other sites so try to get as many links as you can through friends and associate sites. There are artist directories that will host your URL if you look for them and some art supply sites (such as Dick Blick) that may also sponsor your link. Often you'll be asked to place a reciprocal link on your site.

Link exchange is another way of getting your site known. This also means that you must post links to sites that post your link. To make things easier create a page for these reciprocal links only. Often people will want the address of this page to make sure you indeed posted the reciprocal link. Link Master (www.linkmaster.com) will help find sites similar to yours for free that will be willing to exchange links with you. Some sites like Fine Art (www.fine-art.com) will set up either a free link or for a one time set up fee post a couple of dozen images with links.

The internet has many online communities and special interest groups that you can get in touch with to get your website additional exposure. Two such communities are Wet Canvas! (www.wetcanvas.com) and Artists Network (www.artistsnetwork.com). These sites not only help with exposure but you can also receive critiques, learn new techniques, and enjoy artsy camaraderie. Making sure to post your website link in your signature will provide and easy way for other to view your site with out traveling to your profile page.

If you teach workshops, make sure you post workshop listings on sites such as Shaw Guides (www.shawguides.com), Art Show (www.artshow.com), and Judson's Plien Air Outfitter's site (www.pochade.com).

Online auctions can also bring exposure. Though most artists say they don't get high bids it still gets people looking, make sure you website is in the auction listing. Also, try not to compare with your gallery or studio sales. Rather then posting your biggest and best works, have a "teaser" auction with a low-priced item that you would normally not put in your gallery. Make sure you choose your title and item description carefully, as this is how bidders will search for and find your item.

If you have an e-mailing list, send out a regular newsletter. You can do this with just a simple email once in awhile, or you can create and send a sophisticated marketing piece. MyStudio-Site (www.mystudiosite.com) will allow you to create and send newsletters. If you don't have a mailing list, many sites, such as Artspan (www.artspan.com), allow visitors to add themselves directly to one. Other free mailing lists are provided by Google Groups (www.groups.google.com) and Yahoo Groups (www.groups.yahoo.com).

So you have your site built, and if you did it properly you used Metatags - hidden descriptions and keywords for search engines to pick up. Make sure that you update them periodically to keep the description and especially the keywords accurate to your site. Remember keywords are how people search the Internet; the description will appear in the hit list to tell them about your site, so choose your words well.

Now what? Well blogging is popular for a reason; it builds a community around specific likes and dislikes. Posting articles about your art and thoughts on your craft will attract more visitors to your site. Blogger (www.blogger.com) is the top blogging place on the Internet at the moment. Blogs are easy to maintain and integrate with your website, and ideal for keeping an online journal while your on the road. WordPress (www.wordpress.com) and TypePad (www.typepad.com) are other blogs out there right now.

Few other tips are to show demonstrations of your work in progress (WIP) either in progressive photographs, or if you can in video format. Other idea's include 'a painting a day'. Posting atleast one work a day on your site and/or blog. Selling such items at auction. Try to revamp/overhaul your website atleast once a year to keep visitors coming back and to get new eyes looking. Make a big announcement with a fancy newsletter or via regular mailing. And make sure anytime you sell or print anything (even business cards) make sure your website is mentioned.

Review
- Add URL to search engines
- Link Exchange
- Online Communities
- Auctions
- Mailing List / Newsletter
- Metatags
- Blogs
- Demonstrations/WIPs
- 'A Painting A Day'
- Annual Website Overhaul
- Fancy Big Announcements
- Always mention your site with prints/sales/business cards


I hope this article is as much help to you as it was to me when I read it. Everything was taken from the article mentioned below. I did not come up with any of this not to I take credit for it.

"Enhance Your Web Presence" - Michael Chesley Johnson (Artists Magazine Aug 2007)