June 21, 2008 Do I need a website?

Parallax

by Cathy Hegman

Yes, there is not doubt about it, I think it is the sign of the times that most artists today need websites. We are a global world and a global world needs communication and the internet is the communication line of choice in today's world.

I have had a website for the last 4 years and have used it to steer clients to the content and style of my work. I believe it is a great tool for artists, if you are willing to take the time to set it up and hire a website designer to handle the technical aspects of it. I would recommend you look at other artist's websites to find aspects that you would want for your site. I think one main aspect is to have it load fast. Time is a major factor in our lives and we simply will not wait over 10 seconds for a page to load.

My in house web designer/computer guru, Jasmine, scripted and set up my website for me and went a step further last year and rewrote it so that an internet neophyte such as myself could update it and change the appearance of the site without any assistance. I highly recommend this feature, as it makes it easy to add information to your website and keep it current. My website is http://www.cathyhegman.com/, you can visit it and see if there are things you like or dislike about it when you get ready to design your site.

The next step after you get your website launched is to find as many places as possible to get it linked. This linkage ensures the main search engines will gather it and display it. A great way to get linked is if you are a member or signature member of most art societies or associations, they will gladly link your site to their sites and in turn you will be recognized and almost immediately picked up by the search engines. You will have to contact each of the societies and or associations and ask them them to add your website as a link and it is proper protocol to link them to your site in return. It is amazing how fast the internet works and I believe it is well worth the effort to have a website.

I look at my website as my main advertising tool. It is the best way to show a client what you have to offer. I recommend you include a biography of your art life and/or an artist statement of some kind on your website. These are informative to the viewer and let them know how you feel about your art. It gives them an indication of your dedication to art.

I am including my daughter's email and the email of his best friend they will be happy to work with you and design your website for you. If you decide to contact them please put webdesign info in the subject line to help them recognize your email.

Jasmine Hegman email hegpetz@gmail.com

Nicholas Johnson email fujcycle13@gmail.com

I hope this will help you get a website up and running. It will give you a web presence and a sense of accomplishment to see your work online and have thousands get to enjoy it.

As always thank you for reading my blog and have a great week!

All artwork and text posted on this blog are solely owned and copyrighted by Cathy Hegman and should not be reproduced or copied in any form or fashion without the expressed written permission of Cathy Hegman. Anything included in this blog is solely the personal experience and thoughts of the artist and not meant to be anything more than helpful guidelines for others to read.