Both social media and a website are important for visual artists—but they serve different purposes. Here’s a breakdown of how they compare and how to use them together effectively:
SOCIAL MEDIA: Visibility & Engagement
Best for:
- Attracting new eyes to your work
- Building an audience
- Sharing behind-the-scenes content
- Connecting directly with fans, collectors, and other artists
Pros:
- Free (mostly)
- Fast reach and feedback
- Great for promoting events, new work, or sales
- Discovery through hashtags and shares
Cons:
- Algorithm-dependent: your posts might not be seen
- No long-term structure for your portfolio
- Limited control over layout and branding
- Not ideal for serious buyers seeking details
Best platforms for artists:
- Instagram (visual focus)
- Threads or X (updates & thoughts)
- Facebook (groups, events, older collectors)
- Pinterest (especially for print sales and décor)
WEBSITE: Professionalism & Control
Best for:
- Presenting your work as a cohesive body
- Selling directly (shop, commissions, licensing)
- Building long-term credibility
- Showing you’re serious about your practice
Pros:
- Fully customisable: portfolio, bio, shop, newsletter
- Better SEO (search engine presence)
- Always accessible and not controlled by algorithms
- Shows commitment to your art business
Cons:
- Requires setup and maintenance
- Needs regular updates to stay fresh
- Doesn’t automatically generate traffic (you still need to promote it)
BEST STRATEGY: Use Both, with Different Roles
| Purpose | Social Media | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Attract new followers | ✅ Daily/weekly posts | ❌ Not discoverable alone |
| Build trust | ✅ Engagement, DMs, videos | ✅ About page, portfolio, reviews |
| Sell art | ⚠️ Works for some (via DMs/links) | ✅ Professional shop/checkout |
| Share events/news | ✅ Quick updates | ✅ Permanent listings, newsletters |
| Look professional | ⚠️ Can look messy | ✅ Strong, curated presentation |
| SEO/search visibility | ❌ Not good | ✅ People can find you via Google |
Social Media Feeds the Website
- Post on social media → Link to your website
- Use social to drive traffic to your portfolio, shop, or commission form
- Keep your website as the home base, and your socials as the outreach tools
In Summary
If you’re choosing just one, a website wins for long-term professionalism and control. But if you’re actively growing an audience, social media is more effective for visibility. Ideally, treat your website as the hub, and social media as the spokes that bring people in.
Would you like a checklist for combining both effectively, or help designing a homepage that works with your Instagram feed?