Learn how to build an effective artist portfolio website. Compare platforms, understand design principles, and create a professional online presence that showcases your work.
An artist portfolio website serves as your always-available professional presence. Unlike social media profiles subject to algorithm changes and platform limitations, your website provides controlled, permanent space to present your work on your terms.
Galleries, curators, collectors, and opportunities expect professional online presence. When someone encounters your work, their next action is often searching for your website. What they find—or don't find—shapes their perception of your practice.
Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and Format provide templates optimized for visual portfolios without requiring technical knowledge.
Advantages:
Considerations:
Best for: Most artists seeking professional presence without technical complexity.
WordPress with portfolio themes or custom-built sites offer maximum flexibility but require more technical investment.
Advantages:
Considerations:
Best for: Artists with technical skills or budget for developer assistance seeking unique presentation.
Platforms designed specifically for artists—like Artsumé, Artwork Archive, or ArtCloud—offer portfolio features alongside artist-specific tools.
Advantages:
Considerations:
Best for: Artists wanting integrated professional tools alongside portfolio presentation.
Your primary content—the work itself. Gallery presentation should:
Visitors want context about who you are. Include:
Keep it concise—2-3 paragraphs maximum for most contexts.
Your professional history formatted for web viewing:
Update regularly as your career develops.
Make contact easy:
Minimalist design prevents competition with your artwork. Clean layouts, neutral colors, and simple typography focus attention on the images.
Avoid:
Images are your primary content. Ensure:
Significant traffic comes from mobile devices. Test your site on phones and tablets. Ensure:
Visitors should understand site structure immediately. Use conventional navigation:
Don't get creative with navigation labels—clarity matters more than cleverness.
Before building, prepare:
Select based on your needs:
Create basic pages:
Configure navigation for clear access.
Add portfolio images with complete information. Organize into series or categories if appropriate. Test loading speed and display quality.
Complete about page, artist statement, and CV. Write in clear, professional language. Have someone proofread before publishing.
Basic SEO helps people find you:
Professional domains (yourname.com) strengthen credibility. Most platforms include domain connection; purchase through domain registrars like Namecheap or Google Domains.
<Callout> Your website is often someone's first impression of your practice. Invest in presentation quality matching your work quality. A polished website signals professional seriousness. </Callout>Complex designs compete with artwork. Simple, clean layouts serve portfolios best.
Websites showing work from years ago suggest inactive practices. Update regularly to reflect current work.
If visitors can't find your portfolio quickly, they leave. Test navigation with people unfamiliar with your site.
Low-resolution, badly lit, or inaccurately colored images undermine work quality. Invest in proper documentation.
Incomplete pages, broken links, and missing contact information appear unprofessional. Review your entire site periodically.
Ready to build your portfolio website?
Create your Artsumé profile to maintain portfolio documentation and streamline your professional presence.
Continue developing your portfolio:
Create your professional artist CV and portfolio in minutes with Artsumé.
Compare digital and physical artist portfolios. Learn when each format serves best and how to maintain both for different professional contexts.
Learn effective strategies for organizing your artist portfolio. Discover how to sequence work, create series groupings, and tailor presentations for different opportunities.
Learn how to prepare your portfolio for grant and residency applications. Understand what review panels look for and how to present your work effectively for funding opportunities.