Best Squarespace Features & Templates for Artists in 2024
Hey there!
Looking for the ideal platform for artists to construct your website? My consistent favorite has always been Squarespace. Squarespace, for artists, is a kin to what a canvas is for painters—an indispensable tool for showcasing your creative talents and artistic potential.
I've successfully crafted over 50 artist websites using Squarespace, renowned as one of the most user-friendly website builders available. In fact, among top hosted solution providers, Squarespace ranks third, serving a noteworthy 13% of all websites that employ “hosted solutions”, i.e. the hosting is done for you.
Having completed numerous website builds and engaged in countless conversations with fine artists, illustrators, and surface pattern designers, I've compiled a comprehensive list of reasons why Squarespace stands out as the premier platform for artists seeking to market and sell their art.
And, of course, feel free to reach out to see how I can help in your online artistic journey. Let's delve into the details.
Unlocking the Potential of Squarespace for Artists
Years ago, when I embarked on the journey to create the inaugural Desk & Design website, which later evolved into Mariana Durst Studio, I found myself grappling with a pressing question that I posed to my Facebook friends in a moment of desperation:
"What's the best way to build my website?"
At that point, I had already explored various website builders, including Wix, WordPress, and Weebly. However, none of them had yielded a website that resonated with me, let alone one that I could confidently navigate.
Engaging a professional web designer wasn't financially viable at the time, nor was it the right fit, given that I was still in the process of refining the vision for my burgeoning business. I needed an online presence that was presentable, informative, and adaptable—a platform through which people could learn more about me and one I could easily modify as my business evolved.
Years later, Squarespace remains my top recommendation for thriving as an artist in a flashy world to almost all the artists I talk to. Here’s why…
Amazing Benefits of Squarespace for Artists
Squarespace offers the perfect stage to spotlight your art and story. As an artist, you’re probably already familiar with the challenges of building an online presence. With its intuitive interface tailored to artists, Squarespace has the power to elevate your art and transform site visitors into collectors.
Here’s why:
Squarespace has everything you need to get started selling your artwork. It allows you to enjoy marketing your artwork.
No need to link up a third-party software to have a shop on your website. Squarespace has a built-in shop for both physical and digital products.
Fewer integrations mean less hassle! And when you’re wearing all the hats in your art business, saving time and energy = more creativity.
You don't need to be a tech wizard to use Squarespace. Its intuitive drag-and-drop builder makes creating a stunning website a breeze. However, managing creativity and marketing can take a toll on your business, and you may need to hire an expert to do the job for you.
These compelling benefits of Squarespace for artists make it worth the investment.
9 Amazing Squarespace Features for Artists You Must Know
When you sell your art online, nothing hampers your user experience more than a disorganized shop that feels like a labyrinth. It's a common pitfall artists fall into, but Squarespace comes to the rescue. It presents a wealth of powerful tools and features to help you impeccably organize your artwork on your website.
Now, let's delve into some of the fantastic Squarespace features tailored for artists that I adore (and my clients do too).
1. Schedule Your Collection Releases
After you've completed capturing the essence of your latest collection through your lens, it's time to bring your art to life on your website. Squarespace empowers you to schedule your shop listings, ensuring they go live precisely when you want them to.
What could be better than orchestrating a meticulously timed unveiling of your art to the world? These features can be a game-changer for sales, promotions, and special pop-up events, enabling you to create a buzz around your art.
2. Websites Look Amazing Right Out of the Box
While I recommend customizing your website to break away from that templated look, for artists who’d rather push paint than pixels, Squarespace looks amazing right from out of the box.
And for those who spend time customizing their website, the results are often considerably better because Squarespace's drag-and-drop structure allows you to place content pretty much anywhere (avoiding the clutter that can occur with DIY attempts).
3. Display Your Art Portfolio Beautifully
Squarespace 7.1's portfolio pages enable you to craft sophisticated landing pages with interconnected galleries, providing an elevated and well-organized presentation of your artwork. Additionally, you can construct password-protected pages tailored for strategic collaborations, such as art directors and other key partnerships, or create line sheets for your retail partners.
4. It’s All About Style
Squarespace 7.1 offers features that simplify the process of customizing your website's appearance. The redesigned and user-friendly design panel, complete with streamlined options for colors, fonts, and global site styles, ensures that styling your website is a swift and hassle-free experience, even if you decide to experiment with different fonts and colors repeatedly!
5. Built with Mobile in Mind
Users with a negative experience with your mobile store are 62% less likely to purchase. This isn't just my opinion; it's a fact supported by extensive research in the field.
Take a moment to absorb that information.
This means that if your website doesn't deliver a seamless experience on mobile devices, you're potentially losing out on a significant number of sales. Squarespace is committed to preventing its users from becoming a part of that statistic by ensuring that your website looks just as stunning and functions just as effectively on mobile devices as it does on desktops.
Unlike some other website builders, there's no need to design your website twice. Squarespace's intelligent design automatically organizes your content on each page to ensure it looks fantastic on mobile.
6. Offer a Class or Course
With the launch of Member Areas, newly introduced courses, and digital products, you can now host your premium content within your Squarespace website. This add-on service is available to anyone with a Squarespace website. While it may be less feature-rich than other platforms like Kajabi or Teachable, this simplicity can be a benefit if you only require some of the advanced features those platforms provide.
Plus, the advantage of not having to learn yet another platform means you can share your beautiful ideas with the world more quickly. It's easy to use, ensures security, maintains your brand identity, and accommodates an unlimited number of members.
7. Edit Your Website on the Go
Squarespace offers the convenience of its editor app, which allows you to make website edits directly from your phone. This means you don't need to be near your computer to tweak your site, whether you've discovered a typo or have a new idea for an adjustment.
8. Built-in SEO tools
No third-party plugin is needed to nail SEO on Squarespace. Squarespace comes with user-friendly integrated SEO tools, and help guides that get your website, services, and artwork to show up on search results.
However, if you want to take your SEO efforts to the next level, try SEOSpace’s Squarespace SEO plugin. It works wonders for your Squarespace website, helping you increase your traffic by 68% within two months.
9. Stellar Customer Support
I love software that has great customer service (who doesn’t?).
There’s nothing like having the support you need when you come up with a question or a problem. This is what Squarespace for artists offers. Squarespace features an extensive library of articles on how to use the platform. If you can’t find the answer there, you can email them or use the Squarespace community, which is full of knowledgeable people ready to help.
The 8 Best Squarespace Templates for Artists
Your art is one-of-a-kind, and I believe that your website should be, too.
Squarespace is a popular website builder that offers a wide range of templates, including templates specifically designed for artists. These templates are perfect for showcasing your work, connecting with potential clients, and selling your art online.
I've curated a selection of Squarespace templates that are perfect for all the must-haves for artist websites.
Here are some of the best Squarespace templates for artists:
1. Limited Edition Squarespace Templates for Artists from Mariana Durst Studio
Starting with my hand-crafted limited edition templates, my Squarespace templates for artists, like The Agnes shown above, are ideal for artists keen on making their mark in the art world.
This customizable Squarespace template comes with a built-in strategy, brand palettes, a website copy guide, and other amazing features. Inspired by luminary artists, my seasonally-released templates have everything you’ll need to grow a business from your art.
The Agnes might be sold out when you read this post, but check out this link to see which template is available or to sign up for the waitlist.
2. Mycelium
Mycelium is a modern and minimalist template that is perfect for showcasing a variety of art styles. It features a clean layout with large image thumbnails, making it easy for visitors to browse your work.
3. Nolan
If you want a portfolio template to streamline organizing lots of information and imagery, the Nolan template is the perfect option for you. It includes pages to showcase your work, define your services, and include a case study if you want to.
4. Spotted
Spotted is a simple yet attractive template for painters to showcase and sell their breathtaking works of art. The scrollable homepage features popular artworks up for sale along with their prices and clear CTAs.
5. Galena
Galena is a stylish and elegant template that is perfect for fine artists. It features a sophisticated design with a focus on typography and imagery.
6. Sackett
Sackett is a versatile template that is perfect for fine artists, photographers, illustrators, and other creatives. It features a flexible layout that you can customize to suit your needs.
7. Nevins
Nevins is a subtle and eye-catching template perfect for artists who want to make a statement. It features a large hero image and a striking color scheme. If you plan to have a blog on your website, this template is the perfect fit.
8. Montclaire
This simple and sleek template speaks volumes of elegance. Montclaire is perfect for painters, photographers, and other artists who want a clean layout focusing on white space.
These are just a few of the many great Squarespace templates for artists. When choosing a template, it is important to consider your specific needs and goals. You can look at other websites for artist website design inspiration and customize yours to reflect your unique style.
E-commerce Solutions for Artists on Squarespace
Another aspect of Squarespace that I appreciate (among its numerous features) is its user-friendly setup for artists looking to establish their online art shop. Whether you're an emerging artist or an established one looking to monetize your passion, Squarespace provides comprehensive e-commerce tools to meet your needs.
Here is how you can sell your artwork online using e-commerce solutions offered by Squarespace for artists.
Build a store page using the navigation menu in the website's back end.
Add the products you want to sell, including images, names, prices, and any other relevant details.
If you offer customized products, create forms to collect additional information from customers.
Configure your shipping options.
Connect your chosen payment processor to facilitate online transactions.
And there you have it, your own online art store featuring your artwork. You can start selling right away.
How to Utilize Squarespace Analytics for Art Sales
Curious about how your art is performing? Once you start selling your art online, the next step is ensuring it sells well. I recommend getting acquainted with Squarespace Analytics.
Squarespace Analytics is a powerful tool that can unveil the secrets of your website's performance, sales, and much more. Here are some ways to leverage Squarespace Analytics to supercharge your art sales in ways you never thought possible:
Track Your Sales
First, let's talk sales. Squarespace Analytics becomes your trusted sales companion, keeping tabs on every transaction. It's your backstage pass to the number of items flying off your virtual shelves, the revenue rolling in, and the average order value that keeps your artistry thriving. This information can help you fine-tune your pricing and marketing strategies, ensuring your most sought-after pieces take center stage.
Track Your Traffic
Squarespace Analytics goes beyond sales. It's your compass, guiding you through the web traffic. You can track where your traffic is coming from, which pages are most popular, and how long people are spending on your website. Armed with this insight, you can pinpoint your most effective marketing channels and tailor your website to transform casual visitors into devoted art enthusiasts.
Analyze Your Customer Behavior
Squarespace Analytics provides insights into customer behavior, including the specific pages they visit, the products they show interest in, and their actions, like adding items to their cart or completing a purchase. Understanding your customers' behavior can be invaluable in tailoring your website to improve the overall user experience and meet their preferences more effectively.
Set Goals and Track Your Progress
Leveraging Squarespace Analytics to set and track specific goals for your website, whether it's increasing traffic, enhancing sales, or improving conversion rates, can be a strategic approach to achieving your business objectives.
Regularly monitoring your progress and adjusting your strategies accordingly can lead to more efficient and effective outcomes, ultimately helping you increase art sales and grow your business with less work and better results.
Squarespace vs. Shopify for Artists: Which Platform is Better for Artists?
Here comes the million-dollar question:
Squarespace vs. Shopify: Which platform to choose for selling your art online?
As artists, we often find ourselves at a crossroads, pondering which path to choose for showcasing and selling our creations. It makes sense since having multiple options can make it difficult to decide on one. Let's navigate the artistic journey of e-commerce, shedding light on a short comparison between Squarespace and Shopify to make an informed choice that aligns seamlessly with our creative endeavors.
1. Squarespace: The Artistic Choice
Squarespace is designed with artists in mind, offering seamless integration of your art into your website. It offers the following amazing features:
Easy sign-up
A variety of free templates available
Better presentation of content
Sophisticated drag-and-drop editor
2. Shopify: A Strong Contender
As of 2023, Shopify is the biggest player in the hosted e-commerce market in the US. The following are the main features offered by Shopify:
Easy sign up
App integrations
Customer support system
Shopify is indeed a powerful e-commerce platform that excels in handling online sales and transactions. However, it does require a deeper level of technical knowledge and customization to achieve the artistic and creative design flair that Squarespace offers.
In summary, if you're primarily focused on selling your art and products online, Shopify might be the better choice due to its extensive e-commerce capabilities. However, if you want a visually stunning and artistically expressive website that effectively showcases your work while also allowing for e-commerce functionality, Squarespace is likely the superior option for artists. It offers a more intuitive and design-oriented approach to building your online presence.
Ready to Transform Your Artistry into a Thriving Online Business?
Selling your art takes courage, and much of it comes from an online presence truly depicting your artistic genius. I hope that after delving into the potential of Squarespace for fine artists, you're eager to unlock your creative potential online. Whether you need assistance in building your dream, story-driven website, establishing a captivating brand, or crafting compelling copy, rest assured that I'm here cheering for you.
The Prolific & Profitable Artist™ Quiz
Assess your marketing prowess, learn about your superpowers, and get a personalized plan to get your art seen & sold.
Start with the prolific and profitable artist quiz and transform your passion into a thriving profession. Together, we can create an online presence that truly reflects your unique artistic vision and helps you reach a wider audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Squarespace worth it for Artists?
Yes, Squarespace is definitely worth it for artists. It offers unique features and amazing benefits to help artists sell their art online. Moreover, its user-friendly interface makes it easier for artists with no technical expertise to customize and run their websites.
Is Squarespace good for selling art?
Absolutely, Squarespace is amazing for showcasing and selling art. It offers everything you need to market and sell your artwork from scratch. You can start selling your art without third-party website integration as soon as you launch your website.
What is the best Squarespace 7.1 template for artists?
The best Squarespace 7.1 templates for artists include Mycelium, Nolan, Spotted, Galena, Sackett, Nevins, and Montclaire.
Is Shopify or Squarespace better for artists?
Squarespace is better than Shopify for artists, primarily due to its visually advanced features and superior design options. Its user-friendly platform empowers artists to showcase their work effectively and offers seamless e-commerce functionality for selling their art. Whether you're a painter, photographer, or any other type of artist, Squarespace provides the tools and templates to create a stunning online portfolio and grow your art business with ease.
Does Squarespace take a percentage of sales?
Yes, Squarespace takes a percentage of sales on the Business plan. It charges a flat 3% transaction fee on every sales transaction made through the platform. However, there is no transaction fee for basic and advanced Commerce plans.
Is a website worth it for an artist?
Yes, a website is worth it for an artist. It offers a platform to showcase your skills and expertise, attract the right audience, and build a strong online presence. A website is crucial if you want to sell your art online.
Do I need to collect sales tax on Squarespace?
Yes, you need to collect sales tax on Squarespace if you have a sales tax nexus in the state where sales are made. Squarespace streamlines sales tax collection for you by providing useful tools and resources. You can use them to set tax rules for your store and calculate sales tax automatically at the checkout.
