Step-by-Step Guide: How to Sell Digital Art on a WordPress Website

Whether you’re a graphic designer, photographer, or inventive artist, chances are you’ll consider establishing an internet retailer to attain new prospects. But if you happen to have by no means created a website earlier, you’ll have no clue how to promote digital artwork online. And, frankly, the entire mission could seem a bit intimidating.

Well, you’ve come to the appropriate place! To show you how to get begun, we’ve created step-by-step information for promoting digital artwork on WordPress. While you’ll have checked out different choices, like Etsy or Shopify, WordPress offers you extra management over your digital merchandise and funds.

Things to think about earlier than you promote digital artwork online

Learning how to promote digital artwork online can have a number of advantages. For starters, it will probably show you how to make your work accessible to wider viewers and set up yourself as an inventive skilled.

However, there are a few issues to think about earlier than you get begun. First, you’ll need to just remember to select the appropriate platform.

For instance, you may be considering promoting your digital artwork on marketplaces like Etsy or Shopify:

While this may make the method a little simpler, it doesn’t provide you with a lot of management over the way you current your merchandise. Plus, most of those marketplaces cost a fee price on every sale. Therefore, you may want to think about creating your individual website and promoting your merchandise on it.

There are a number of platforms you should utilize to arrange an Internet store. You might need already checked out a few all-in-one options, like Wix and Squarespace:

These website builders are very user-friendly. Plus, they arrive with all of the instruments you want to promote your merchandise, together with cost gateways and order monitoring.

The majority of those platforms cost annual subscription charges that additionally cowl your internet hosting and area identity. While they could appear inexpensive at first, their worth tends to spike upon renewal.

So, if you happen to be questioning how to promote digital artwork in a cost-effective manner, you’ll need to have a look at WordPress. This is a free, open-source Content Management System (CMS) that permits you to create any kind of website, together with an internet retailer:

With WordPress, you’ll simply want to pay for internet hosting, an area identity, and any premium instruments you determine to use. There are many service suppliers that provide inexpensive plans, so you possibly can store around and select a resolution that matches your wants and finances.

How to promote digital artwork with WordPress

Now that you understand why WordPress is probably your best option, let’s have a look at how to promote digital artwork on this platform in 5 steps:

1. Set up a WordPress website

First, you’ll want to arrange a WordPress setup. There are two methods to try this. You can obtain the software program from the official website at WordPress.org after which have it put in manually on your internet host of selection. Or, alternatively, you possibly can join with a host that can set up WordPress for you.

There are a number of internet hosting suppliers that provide this kind of factor. For instance, Bluehost gives one-click WordPress installations so you can begin working on your website right away:

With a Bluehost internet hosting plan, you’ll additionally get a free area identity for the primary 12 months. You can begin with a fundamental bundle for simply $2.75 monthly, or go for the Online Store plan (for $9.95 monthly) to get entry to further e-commerce options like safe online funds:

Once you buy an internet hosting plan, you possibly can arrange WordPress via your Bluehost account. You’ll want to create a username and password, set an area to identify on your website, and enter an e-mail deal.

Then, you possibly can log into WordPress and begin constructing your online retailer.

2. Select a WordPress theme

Once you log into your WordPress website, you’ll see your admin dashboard. Here, you possibly can configure your website settings and get your retailer to arrange:

The very first thing you’ll need to do is choose a theme. This will decide the appearance and feel of your digital artwork retailer.

There are a number of choices to select from, each free and paid. For instance, Neve is a versatile theme that can be utilized for online shops:

To set up it, navigate to Appearance > Themes in your WordPress dashboard and choose Add New. Then, seek “Neve” and click on Install, adopted by Activate:

Now, you possibly can select a starter website in your retailer. Head to Appearance > Neve Options and choose Starter Sites. Then, click on the button to set up and activate the Cloud Templates and Patterns Collection plugin:

This provides you with entry to a library of templates, together with choices for portfolios and e-commerce websites:

If you see a starter website you want, hover on it and click on Import:

Next, you can begin enhancing the theme. To do that, go to Appearance > Customize. This will launch the WordPress Customizer:

Here, you possibly can change the colors and typography, customize the buttons, and extra. Plus, it’ll give you the chance to see your adjustments in actual time. Remember to hit Publish whenever you’re prepared.

3. Install an e-commerce plugin

Now that you simply designed your website, it’s time to arrange your store. To do that, you’ll want to set up an e-commerce plugin. We advocate utilizing Easy Digital Downloads.

As the identity suggests, this device permits you to promote your digital merchandise as downloads. To add it to your website, go to Plugins > Add new and use the search bar to discover it. Then, click on Install Now and Activate:

This will take you to the setup wizard. Select Get Started, and enter some details about what you are promoting:

You can skip the remainder of the steps for now. We’ll present you with ways to arrange funds and configure different settings within the subsequent steps.

4. Upload your artwork information

Now we get to the enjoyable bit: including your digital artwork to your retailer! To get begun, navigate to Downloads > Add new.

This will launch the Block Editor, the place you possibly can create your first obtain. Start by coming into an identity, description, and worth:

Then, within the Download Files part, click on the hyperlink icon beneath File URL to add your file:

This will open a pop-up window, the place you possibly can drop your information or click on Select Files:

Once you choose your file, click on Insert into Obtain. You can add as much picture information as you need. All you might have to do is choose Add New File:

You may additionally need to add some obtain directions for patrons. In the panel on the appropriate, you’ll see a possibility to specify a obtain restrict and refund standing:

You may add a picture thumbnail in your obtain, choose a class, and extra. Once you’ve configured your obtain settings, hit Publish.

Then, you can possibly return to the principal Downloads web page to add extra merchandise.

You’ll additionally need to add your digital merchandise to the principal Shop web page. Go to Pages > Add New (or choose a current web page). Click on the plus icon to add a new block and choose EDD Products:

Then, publish your web page and click on Preview:

Feel free to add extra blocks and customize the store web page to fit your wants.

5. Set up your cost strategies

Once you’ve uploaded your merchandise, you’ll need to configure the cost strategies in order that guests can buy them. Go to Downloads > Settings and click on Payments:

Then, choose the cost gateways you need to allow on your website. While you’re at it, you may additionally need to tick the field for Test Mode. This permits you to take a look at buy (extra about this in a minute).

You may choose a default gateway and cost methodology icons. When you’re prepared, click on Save Changes:

Then, you possibly can go to the respective cost gateway sections to join your accounts:

To be certain all the pieces are working correctly, you’ll need to take a look at the buy. Return to the principle Payments tab and tick the field for Store Gateway. Select this because the default gateway is proper:

Then, save your adjustments and go to your website on the front end (as a buyer). Select a obtain and click on the Purchase button:

This ought to take you to the checkout web page:

Enter your particulars and ensure Store Gateway is chosen because of the cost methodology. Then, click on Purchase.

You ought to now see a affirmation web page, with obtaining hyperlinks in your merchandise:

Now that the take a look at is full, you possibly can return to the cost settings, disable take a look at mode, and deselect the Store Gateway choices.

That’s it – now you can begin promoting your digital merchandise online!

Conclusion

To recap, right here’s how to promote digital artwork in WordPress, in 5 simple steps:

Might you have any questions on how to promote digital artwork in WordPress? Let us know about the feedback part!