5 Signs Your Artist or Gallery Website is Outdated
Your Website is one of your most essential sales channels. Here, collectors and potential buyers can find information on your art 24/7. The technical scope of websites changes rapidly, and with that user requirements. Your target audience is no exception! The art market is evolving rapidly, and digitalisation is now commonplace. Collectors jetting from art fair to art fair view gallery websites on their smartphones while traveling, and are more and more inclined to purchase art online.
If you wish to continue successfully selling your art, your website must serve as a digital flagship for your gallery, and it must deliver. If technology and content of your online presence are outdated, less requests and potential offers for art works will occur. We’ll show you 5 signs, which prove your gallery or artist website is still up-to-date.
1. An Unresponsive Design
One of the most significant indicators of an outdated website is its lack of responsiveness. A responsive design ensures that your website adapts seamlessly to various screen sizes, from desktop monitors to smartphones and tablets. Collectors looking for your gallery’s homepage or contact number will leave your site if they need to zoom in to get a closer look, and might not return anytime soon. Digitalisation has arrived in the art market a long time ago. Equipped with portable devices, collectors are constantly travelling for business. Today’s internet users expect to access your site on their smartphones anytime, view your site equally well on their iPhones with content correctly scaled on their displays. Gallery and artist websites tailored to mobile devices have up to 12% more website visitors! If your website doesn't automatically adjust its layout and content to fit different screens, it's time for an update.
2. Slow Loading Times
In today's fast-paced digital world, users expect websites to load quickly. If your website takes ages to load, it can frustrate visitors and cause them to leave before they even see your artwork. 3 seconds max – that’s the longest modern internet users are prepared to wait till a page has loaded. After 4 seconds, 30% of users will give up. Everything over 5 seconds and you lose 60%! Slow loading times can be attributed to various factors, such as large, uncompressed images, excessive plugins, or outdated coding practices. Regularly optimizing your website's performance can help keep it up to speed and improve the overall user experience.
3. Outdated Content
Content is the heart of any artist or gallery website. If your website features outdated artworks, exhibition information, or blog posts, it sends the message that your art practice or gallery is stagnant. Visitors may question whether you're still active or producing new work. Keep your content fresh and up-to-date, reflecting your latest creations and exhibition schedule. Regularly update your portfolio, news, and publications section to maintain a dynamic online presence.
4. An Old-Fashioned Design Aesthetic
Web design trends change over time, and an outdated design aesthetic can make your website appear obsolete. Consider whether your website design aligns with contemporary styles and user expectations. Modern websites often feature clean layouts, minimalistic designs, and easy navigation. If your website still sports flashy graphics, excessive animations, or a cluttered layout, it might be time for a design overhaul to bring it in line with current aesthetics.
5. Lack of Automated Art Database Sync
Your website should automatically sync with your art database, allowing you to easily update your portfolio, exhibition details, and artist statements. This streamlines content management, ensuring your website remains up-to-date and user-friendly. Automated synchronization saves time and ensures visitors always have access to your latest work and exhibition information, enhancing your online presence and audience engagement.
Your artist or gallery website is your digital calling card, and it should reflect your current work and the latest design and technology trends as it can become your best sales tool. If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, it's time to invest in a website makeover. An updated and user-friendly website not only enhances your online presence but also helps you connect with a broader audience and showcase your art in the best possible way. Keep your website fresh, relevant, and engaging to leave a lasting impression on visitors and potential buyers. Did our check list make you realise that your website is no longer contemporary? What next?
No need to panic! An outdated website is better than no website at all. However, you might be missing the chance of gaining potential new collectors. There’s a way to avoid that! Start with a beautiful new website from ARTBUTLER now.