There are plenty of reasons to join an online gallery platform as an artist or photographer:

more and more art sales are made online

the artist can get a lot of exposure

exhibitions online reduce the costs to a minimum: no travelling expenses, no flyers and posters, no printed invitations

online galleries can make the sales procedure more secure

their terms and conditions protect not only the customer but also the artist

most online galleries also provide tools for communication between the artists

to sell through a gallery separates the ‘business’ part of the artist’s job from the ‘idealistic’ part which is usually prominent on the artist’s own website

most contracts with online galleries give the artists more freedom and independence than contracts with other galleries

most online galleries take less commission than offline galleries

last but not least: many online galleries are open for every artist. There is no fear of being rejected before you even get a chance to show your work to the public.

Which are the best online galleries for artists?

My own recommendations:

1. Saatchiart

http://www.saatchiart.com

Based in LA, launched 2008

First impression: professional

Mainly used by professional artists and photographers

Price range: $100 – $75,000.00

Who can apply? everyone

How to apply? sign in and upload your artworks

Pricing: 35% commission

Curation: for inclusion on main page and featured areas

Social Media: Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+, Instagram

Extras:

Community tools: yes

Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr

Blog: yes

Extra promotion: yes

Newsletter: yes

More: Showdowns, artists curate collections etc.

Print on demand: yes

PLUS:

very interactive

very professional

great exposure

great social media promotion

2. ArtFinder

https://www.artfinder.com

Based in London and Miami, launched 2011

First impression: professional

Mainly used by professional artists and photographers

Price range: €1.00 – €50,000.00

Who can apply? every artist

How to apply? submission form

Pricing: 30 % commission

Curation: yes

Social Media Presence: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, Instagram

Extras:

Community Tools: no

Social Sharing: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+

Blog: yes

Newsletter: yes

App: YES

Print on demand: no

PLUS:

ArtFinder App

3. at60inches

http://www.at60inches.com

Based in NY, launched 2013

First impression: professional and creative

Mainly used by professional artists, photographers and designers

Price range: $50.00 – $28,000.00

Who can apply? everyone

How to apply? submission form

Pricing: no information

Curation: for inclusion on @60inchesstudio

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Extras:

Community tools: no

Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, WordPress

Blog: yes

Extra promotion: yes

Print on demand: no

PLUS:

creative web design

nice introduction for collectors

great marketing ideas

4. New Blood Art

http://www.newbloodart.com

Based in London, launched 2004

First impression: professional

Used by professional artists and photographers

Price range: £30,00 –£4.500

Who can apply? every artist

How to apply? submission form

Pricing: 40 % commission

Curation: yes

Social Media Presence: Facebook, Twitter

Copyright protection: yes

Extras:

Community tools: no

Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Blog: yes

Extra promotion: group shows

Newsletter: yes

Print on demand: no

PLUS:

professional platform for emerging artists

5. artlimited

http://www.artlimited.net

Based in France, launched 2005

First impression:professional and creative; focus on the artist, not the buyer

Mainly used by professional artists and photographers

Who can apply: every artist

How to apply: register and upload (no fees, no limitations)

Pricing: no commission

Curation: featured artists in specific areas, curated by the audience and professionals

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, Google+

Extras:

Community tools: yes

Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, LinkedIn etc.

Blog: yes

Extra promotion: yes

Newsletter: yes

Print on demand: no

PLUS:

very interactive platform

competitions

6. Imagekind

http://www.imagekind.com

Based in NC, US, launched 2006

First impression: prints of various themes and quality

Used by artists and photographers who are selling prints of their work

Price range: $10 – $400 (without frames)

Who can apply: every artist

How to apply: register and upload (free for basic membership, $7.99 for Pro, $11.99 for Platinum)

Pricing: no commission

Curation: no

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr

Extras:

Community tools: yes

Social Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Houzz

Blog: yes

Extra promotion: priority placement for pro and platinum members

Print on demand: yes

PLUS:

no commission and unlimited upload for all members

the artist can run his own ads on his profile

extra commission for frames

I’m very grateful for any comment: anything to add or correct?

photo credits