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Andrew Smith's avatar

For any business that’s “selling,” websites definitely still matter. They show seriousness and business readiness.

A quote I like:

“It’s better to have a website and a little social media than a lot of social media and no website,” he explained. The image quality on Instagram is poor and to many collectors and dealers, managing sales exclusively through the app appears unprofessional. “I’m not sending my clients to your Instagram. I’m just not going to do it.”

Source:

https://hyperallergic.com/842195/art-problems-those-artworks-arent-gonna-sell-themselves/

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Andy Adams's avatar

Indeed! I regularly find photographers who don’t have websites and only have IG accounts. Thanks for the link, Andrew.

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Megan Crist's avatar

This sounds terrible, I know, but if a photographer does not have a website, I automatically figure that they are not professional. And that’s fine if that’s not their goal. And it has nothing to do with whether or not I like their pictures. But there is another level of thought that goes into a portfolio that is just never going to come through on Instagram. No matter how good their pictures are.

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Andy Adams's avatar

I hear you. It does give the impression of someone less committed or professional. And that's okay! I remember giving a talk at Syracus University years ago — like 2016, or so — and being shocked when I asked the students who had websites and who didn't. At the time, most did not. But I suspect that changes as artists mature. Those making a career as a working artist understand that your website is your portfolio, showroom, storytelling platform, etc. Thanks for the note, Megan. It's good to hear from you!

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Alex Strachan's avatar

A guy who shares the source! How novel. And there I was, thinking naming sources went out with verifiable facts. Thanks for sharing.

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