SEO for Artists' Websites

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If you’re an artist with a website, but not enough visitors, the problem might be simple: you’re not showing up in search results. That’s where Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) comes in. This guide explains how to improve your artist website’s SEO so more collectors, curators, and fans can discover your work online.

What Is SEO for Artists?

SEO for artists refers to the process of improving your art website so that it appears in search engine results when people search for terms like “buy original art online” or “abstract painter UK.” Good SEO increases visibility, drives traffic, and helps convert casual browsers into buyers.

Why SEO Matters for Artists

Having a beautiful website is only part of the puzzle. Without SEO, even the best portfolio can go unseen. Here’s why SEO matters:

• It brings organic (free) traffic from search engines
• It helps you get discovered by people who’ve never heard of you
• It builds credibility and trust with search engines and your audience

Step-by-Step SEO for Artist Websites

Start With Keyword Research

Think like a potential client—what words or phrases would you type into Google if you were trying to find an artist like you?

You can use your own experience and insights, but there are also tools available like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, or Free Keyword Research Tool that can help you discover exactly what people are searching for, giving you real insights into how to position your work online.

Prioritise terms that relate to your work, that you think perspective buyers might use, like:

• “buy landscape paintings online”
• “figurative artist UK”
• “affordable original art for sale”
• “modern abstract painting for sale”

Use these keywords naturally in your page titles, image descriptions, and throughout your copy. For instance, you might include the phrase “contemporary portrait artist in Manchester” in your homepage text or an artist bio. Don’t go overboard; the idea is to write naturally, keeping in mind what a potential collector might search.

Optimise Your Homepage

Your homepage is your SEO foundation. Here’s how to optimise it:

• Include a headline that describes your work clearly: “Contemporary Abstract Artist Based in the UK”
• Use relevant keywords in a natural sentence. For example: “I’m an abstract painter specialising in large canvas works inspired by natural landscapes.”
• Include text that explains what you do—not just images. This is your chance to tell visitors about your artistic process and what they can expect when exploring your site.
• Add links to your shop, about page, and contact information.

Use Descriptive Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

Each page on your site should have a unique title and description that includes your target keywords. For example:

Title: “Buy Original Abstract Paintings | Jane Doe Art”
Meta description: “Discover Jane Doe’s bold abstract paintings. Shop originals and commissions online.”

This helps search engines understand what each page is about and ensures potential customers can easily find your work.

Add Alt Text to Images

Search engines can’t see your artwork—but they can read your image descriptions. Add clear, concise alt text to every image. For example:

• “Large-scale oil painting of a stormy seascape by UK artist”
• “Contemporary ceramic sculpture with blue glaze”
  This not only improves accessibility but also strengthens your site’s SEO by giving search engines a better understanding of your artwork.

Optimise for Mobile

Many art buyers browse on their phones. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly:

• Use a responsive theme that adapts to any screen size
• Check that text is legible and buttons are easy to click
• Test your pages on both Android and iOS
  If your website isn’t optimised for mobile, you might lose potential buyers who browse on their phones or tablets.

Improve Site Speed

A slow site can hurt your rankings and frustrate visitors. Speed things up by:

• Compressing images before uploading them
• Reducing the use of plugins or heavy files
• Choosing fast, reliable hosting

A faster website enhances user experience and boosts your SEO.

Build Backlinks

A key part of SEO is building backlinks from other reputable sites. A backlink is simply a clickable link (often called a hyper-link) on someone else’s website that directs people to your site.

The quantity and quality of your backlinks help Google to decide how credible your site is.

Here are some ways you can facilitate the process of getting more backlinks to your site:

• Write a guest blog post on creative platform
• Collaborate with other artists or collectives
• Submit your work to online galleries or exhibition listings

These backlinks signal trust to Google and help people discover your site.

Create Content Regularly

Adding fresh content shows search engines that your site is active, and this can be rewarded with higher search rankings.

Starting a blog gives you an easy way to add new content to your site without disrupting the key brochure pages. You can write about:

• Your creative process and inspiration behind your pieces
• Behind-the-scenes looks at your studio
• Tutorials or tips for other artists or collectors
• Updates on exhibitions or art shows you’re participating in

This keeps your site fresh and engaging, encouraging repeat visitors. Make sure to naturally include relevant keywords like “buy original art online” and “modern art for sale” in your posts where appropriate.

Use Internal Links

Link between your own pages to help visitors and search engines navigate your site. For example:

• Link from your homepage to your shop and about page
• Link blog posts to relevant artworks in your portfolio
• Use anchor text (the text that you turn into a clickable link) like “learn more about my creative process” or “browse my collection of abstract art.”

Internal linking helps improve your SEO and makes it easier for visitors to explore your website.

Track Your Progress

Use free tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track:

• Which pages are getting the most traffic
• What keywords are bringing visitors to your site
• How long visitors stay on your site

This data allows you to adjust your SEO strategy and improve your results.

FAQ: SEO for Artists

What is SEO for artists?
It’s the process of making your art website more visible on search engines to attract more viewers, buyers, and opportunities.

How do I improve SEO on my artist website?
Focus on using keywords that are relevant to your work (like “buy abstract art” or “contemporary artist in London”), writing engaging and helpful content, improving your website’s speed and mobile experience, and earning backlinks from other art-related sites.

Is SEO worth it for artists?
Absolutely. Even small SEO improvements can help your website attract more collectors over time. With a well-planned SEO strategy, you can increase visibility and reach a wider audience without relying solely on social media or galleries.

Final Thoughts
SEO for artists isn’t about trying to trick search engines or use irrelevant tactics. It’s about making it easier for your ideal audience to find and connect with your work. By applying these strategies to your artist website, you can grow your visibility, build your audience, and ultimately create a more sustainable online presence.

Remember, SEO isn’t a one-time fix—it’s an ongoing process. Even small improvements can pay off in the long run, bringing you more opportunities to sell your work and connect with fans.