It has been estimated one-third of the world’s population — 2.4 billion people — uses the Internet. Breaking it down even further, for those trying to sell something, in 2011 about $256 billion were spent by Internet shoppers. For an artist looking to increase their audience, these numbers are substantial. But it’s a wild, wild Web world out there and navigating the ins and outs of creating a website and managing one can be daunting.
It has been estimated one-third of the world’s population — 2.4 billion people — uses the Internet. Breaking it down even further, for those trying to sell something, in 2011 about $256 billion were spent by Internet shoppers. For an artist looking to increase their audience, these numbers are substantial. But it’s a wild, wild Web world out there and navigating the ins and outs of creating a website and managing one can be daunting.
To the rescue: Volcano Art Center invites you to join Mary Strong, from Ekahi Design, for a five-week workshop that will help you make savvy choices about design, hosting, domain names and marketing when buying a website or upgrading an old one. Primarily for those who want to make their own website, this workshop will focus on reasons why you need a website, and how your website works as a part of your complete marketing strategy.
Starting Aug. 12, the five-session, weekly workshop is slated for 9-11 a.m. every Tuesday at the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus. Cost is $180. As part of the class (if you do not have one already), you will need to purchase a hosting plan and domain or a membership with a do-it-yourself site builder prior to class. Information about how to do this will be provided upon registration.
This workshop will cover topics such as how to effectively display artwork on a website, how to create a portfolio of your work and how to link to galleries and shops where your work is sold. Website design tips will be covered along with what will make a website look professional and easy for a visitor to navigate. Attendees will start to work on their own website and receive professional feedback and assistance.
Strong has provided marketing services to artists and other small business owners for more than 21 years. She also has worked with the St. Lawrence County Arts Council, offering a multitude of services including website and graphic design.
When asked about a Web class for artists, Strong said, “There are many ways to design a website and this can be confusing. Artists have to look at what they do as artists and as a small business. The most important question is which method would work best for you?”