Ever wondered how artists transform a blank canvas into a captivating online gallery? A well-crafted Squarespace website has become the key to showcasing artwork, attracting collectors, and building a personal brand—all in one place.
For artists today, standing out online isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. Choosing the right platform and design can make all the difference.
In this article, we’ll guide you through how Squarespace empowers artists, sharing practical steps, creative tips, and insider insights to help you craft a gallery-worthy website.
How Squarespace Artist Websites Work — A Complete Guide
If you’re an artist or creative looking to build a stunning online presence, Squarespace has likely caught your attention. But how exactly do Squarespace artist websites help you showcase your work, attract fans, and even sell your creations? Let’s dive deep into what makes Squarespace a favorite among artists, explore the steps to building your own site, discover the benefits and challenges, and look at real-world best practices for a website that makes your art shine.
Why Artists Choose Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the most popular website builders for artists, illustrators, and creative professionals. Why? Because it offers:
- Intuitive, drag-and-drop editing
- Gorgeous, gallery-style templates optimized for artwork
- Reliable hosting and built-in security
- E-commerce capabilities to sell art, prints, or commissions
- Mobile-friendly designs for art lovers browsing on their phones
Squarespace’s focus on visual storytelling and simplicity lets you put your art front and center—without needing to code or hire a developer.
Building Your Artist Website on Squarespace: Step-by-Step
Making a website on Squarespace is easier than ever. Here’s how to get started:
1. Sign Up and Choose Your Template
- Start by creating a Squarespace account.
- Pick a template designed for portfolios. Look for templates in the “Art & Design” or “Portfolio” sections. These have layouts tailored for showcasing images and galleries.
- Don’t worry—templates are customizable, so focus on finding one that fits your artistic vibe.
2. Organize and Upload Your Work
- Gather high-resolution images of your artwork. Sort them by series, year, or medium.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to upload and arrange your pieces in galleries, grids, or slideshows.
- Add captions, artwork details, and stories behind your creations to engage visitors.
3. Customize Your Site Design
Personalize your website by:
- Choosing a color palette and fonts that reflect your style.
- Adjusting the layout—change image sizes, spacing, or number of columns.
- Adding your logo, custom navigation, and an about page with your artistic statement.
4. Set Up Essential Pages
Common pages for artist websites include:
- Home – A welcoming intro with signature works or current projects.
- Portfolio/Gallery – Your main showcase with categories or exhibition archives.
- About/Bio – Share your background, influences, and process.
- Shop – Sell originals, prints, or merchandise (enable with Squarespace e-commerce).
- Exhibitions/News – Announce openings, press, or event dates.
- Contact – Make it easy for fans or curators to reach you, with a simple contact form or email link.
5. Enable E-Commerce and Selling (Optional)
- Activate Squarespace Commerce to sell art directly from your site.
- Add clear product descriptions, set prices, and upload images for each piece.
- Offer payment options like credit cards, PayPal, or Apple Pay.
- Set up shipping zones if you sell physical art; Squarespace integrates shipping cost calculators for different regions.
6. Mobile Optimization
Squarespace templates are mobile-responsive automatically, ensuring your site looks sharp on phones and tablets. Preview your site on mobile and tweak layouts if needed.
7. Launch Your Site
Once you’re happy with the design, connect your custom domain (like yourname.com) and publish. Squarespace makes it easy to manage your site even after it’s live—add new artworks, update info, and monitor traffic with built-in analytics.
Benefits of Using Squarespace for Artist Websites
Artists around the world choose Squarespace for specific reasons. Some of the biggest benefits include:
- Visual-First Templates: Professionally designed layouts that put your art first.
- All-in-One Platform: Hosting, security, e-commerce, and domains in one place—no separate accounts needed.
- Ease of Use: No coding required; edit with drag-and-drop blocks.
- SEO Tools: Help your art get found by search engines and potential buyers.
- Support & Resources: Responsive customer support and detailed guides for troubleshooting.
Common Challenges (and Solutions) with Squarespace Artist Websites
Even a versatile platform like Squarespace presents a few challenges for artists. Here’s what to look out for:
- Template Limitations: Some designs may restrict how many portfolios you can showcase per page. Solution: Use project pages or creative layouts to group work by theme or date.
- Selling Digital Goods: While great for physical art, delivering digital downloads needs setup. Solution: Use built-in digital product features or integrate third-party plugins.
- Limited Custom Interactivity: You can’t always add very advanced features natively. Solution: Leverage blocks, integrate forms, or use simple custom code for features like newsletter signups.
- Storage and Image Limits: High-res art images can be large. Solution: Optimize images before uploading for fast site speed without sacrificing quality.
Best Practices for Stunning Squarespace Artist Sites
Artists and designers often discover these helpful tips:
- Prioritize Your Best Work: Lead with your strongest pieces to make a great first impression.
- Curate, Don’t Overwhelm: Organize your work into clear categories. Too many images on one page can feel cluttered.
- Tell Your Story: Include background info, your process, and any media coverage to connect with visitors emotionally.
- Use White Space: Let your work breathe on the page—avoid cramped layouts.
- Highlight Calls to Action: Make it obvious how people can buy, inquire, or follow you on social media.
- Keep It Updated: Regularly add new work, share blog posts, or announce exhibitions to keep your site fresh.
- Test Your Site: View on different devices and browsers to fix any display quirks.
- Track Your Metrics: Use Squarespace’s built-in analytics to see what pages get the most views or where visits come from.
Cost Tips for Artist Websites (Including Shipping)
Squarespace offers several pricing tiers, generally ranging from basic personal sites to fully-featured commerce plans. Here’s how to keep costs manageable:
- Start Small: Begin with the “Personal” or “Business” plan. Upgrade only if you need e-commerce or advanced analytics.
- Sell Smart: If you plan to ship physical artwork, factor shipping costs into your prices. Squarespace lets you set flat, calculated, or carrier rates. For local deliveries, consider offering pickup or free shipping within a certain radius.
- Annual Payments: Pay annually instead of monthly for discounts.
- Custom Domains: Squarespace often includes a free domain for the first year with paid plans.
- Use Built-In Tools: Instead of paying for extra plugins, make the most of built-in galleries, email marketing features, and checkout options.
Inspiration From Real Artist Websites
Squarespace hosts thousands of stunning artist portfolios, from emerging illustrators to world-renowned sculptors. Common features in standout sites include:
- Minimalist designs with bold imagery
- Streamlined navigation and subtle animations
- Interactive exhibition maps or press sections
- Seamless e-commerce stores for prints and originals
Taking a cue from these examples can help you make design decisions that both inspire viewers and drive sales or inquiries.
Conclusion
Building an artist website on Squarespace is one of the most effective ways to present your work to the world. With beautiful templates, easy editing, and built-in selling tools, it’s possible to create a professional online portfolio—even if you’re not tech-savvy. Focus on curation, story, and clear calls to action, and your Squarespace artist site will support your growth as a creative professional.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best Squarespace templates for artists?
Some of the top templates for artists include those in the portfolio and art categories. Look for templates with clean layouts, generous image galleries, and minimal distractions. Options like Brine, York, and Waverly are popular among artists for their flexibility and striking visuals.
Can I sell both original art and prints through Squarespace?
Yes, Squarespace’s commerce tools let you sell originals, prints, digital downloads, and even commissions. You can set inventory, offer variants (like print sizes), and manage orders all within your dashboard.
How do I make my Squarespace artist website stand out?
Showcase your unique style, prioritize high-quality images, organize your portfolio thoughtfully, and share your artist story. Use custom fonts and colors that reflect your aesthetic, and keep your site updated with new work or news.
Do I need to know how to code to update my Squarespace website?
No coding is required to use Squarespace. The platform uses visual editing, so you can add, move, or edit content easily. For special features, Squarespace allows simple code injections, but most artists never need to touch code.
How much does it cost to run an artist website on Squarespace?
Basic Squarespace plans start at a reasonable monthly fee, with annual discounts and a free domain for the first year. If you want to sell art, a Business or Commerce plan is necessary. Keep shipping costs in mind for physical items—you can set these up in your store settings.
Ready to bring your art online? With Squarespace, you have all the tools to showcase your talent and connect with admirers and collectors around the world.
