Are You Making It Hard for People to Buy Your Art?
Are You Making It Hard for People to Buy Your Art?
Here’s a tough truth: people might love your art and still not buy it if the process feels confusing or clunky. As artists, we often focus so much on creating the work that we forget to remove the friction that stops someone from actually purchasing it. Let’s talk about a few common mistakes and how to fix them.
Common Points of Friction
No clear link in bio. If someone finds you on Instagram or Tiktok and your bio says nothing about how to contact you or shop, they’ll likely move on. (Make sure to check out last week’s post about using a link in bio)
Buried contact info. If your email or DM preferences are hard to find, buyers might give up before they even reach out.
No pricing info or “shop” page. If people don’t know what’s for sale, what it costs, or how to buy it, they’ll hesitate. Hesitation kills.
Too many steps. If buying a print means they have to DM you, wait for a reply, then go to a separate website, you’ve already lost some people.
How to Make it Seamless
Link & Contact Visibility
Is your link in bio clearly visible and up to date?
Can someone easily find your email, DM, or contact form?
Do you have a pinned post or story highlight explaining how to buy or commission work?
Shop Access
Do you have a clear and working shop link? (Etsy, website, etc.)
Are your available pieces easy to browse, with no dead links?
Can people go from seeing your art to buying it in 3 clicks or less?
Pricing & Info
Are your prices visible (or at least starting prices)?
Do you explain what’s included (size, framing, shipping, etc)?
Do you offer easy options to inquire or reserve a piece?
Communication Clarity
Do you respond to DMs or emails within 24-48 hours?
Do you use simple, friendly language when explaining your process?
Do you make people feel welcomed and encouraged to reach out?
Bonus Tips
Test your own process. Try buying something from your own shop and note any friction.
Ask a friend to try buying and give honest feedback.
Treat every inquiry with gratitude, even if it doesn’t lead to a sale.
The fewer clicks, steps, or questions someone has to go through, the more likely they are to become a collector. Make it easy, make it obvious, and make it welcoming.