If you're an artist, selling your work online can be tricky to get started. Many young and more experienced artists think that the only way to make a living from their work is to display their pieces in a gallery in the hope of making a sale. However, you'll be pleased to hear that there are many more profitable ways to find customers.

We know that many artist will be a little apprehensive of the business side of their craft, so we have some top tips for you to consider when getting started:

1. Start by creating a website or online portfolio.

This will be your central hub for promoting and selling your art. Your online shop window if you like. Be sure to include high-quality images of your work, as well as information about pricing and shipping. A very good, all in one solution for this is Shopify; an easy to use, intuitive, affordable and flexible platform.

2. Develop a targeted marketing strategy.

This doesn't need to be too complicated, but make sure you know the answers to the following 3 questions: Who is your ideal customer? Where do they spend their time online? What kind of art are they looking for? Once you know this, you can more effectively market your work to them.

3. Sell your art through the right channels.

The most obvious channels to reach your targeted audience is to utilise platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. These provide an easy way to share your art with potential buyers.

However there are other marketplaces that can be used such as Etsy and ArtFinder that will display your work to customers with 'buyer intent'. These sites can get thousands of views a day and are utilised in many industries; for example, in the gambling sector, many online casinos will promote a new no deposit bonus to prospect customers using partner aggregate websites as their primary customer acquisition tool.

4. Know your worth.

One of the most important things to remember when selling your art online is that you are the expert. You know how much time, effort and skill has gone into each piece, so make sure you price your work accordingly. It's also important to remember that art is a luxury item, so customers are often willing to pay more.

5. Offer discounts and promotions.

This may sound contradictory to the previous point but periodically offering sales and discounts on your art can help move inventory and attract new buyers. Just be careful not to devalue your hard work and only offer discounts through appropriate channels.

6. Provide excellent customer service.

Finally, once you have made a sale, it's important to provide excellent customer service. This includes everything from responding to queries quickly, keeping buyers updated on the status of their order and ensuring that the piece arrives safely and as described.

By following these simple tips, you'll be well on your way to selling your art online like a pro!