Create Online Art Marketplace To Sell Local Artists' Artwork

If you're a cultural organization looking to create a platform for local artists, a gallery owner seeking to expand your digital footprint, or an entrepreneur passionate about preserving regional art forms, this blog is tailored for you.

There are global platforms such as Society6 in which artists to showcase without limitations. But Ten Thousand Villages is different; it deals with international trade and boasts of handicrafts made by independent artists residing in developing economies. 

But where do you start? How do you create a platform that not only attracts potential buyers but also builds a scalable community of local artists? 

In this blog, we'll take a look at building the art marketplace with Shipturtle and some of the best online art marketplaces that connect artists with buyers and help promote local artwork.

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1. Top inspirations for local art & culture marketplace  

To illustrate some successful approaches, let’s look at a few brands that have done an impressive job with local art marketplaces:

I. Society6

Society6 serves as an online gallery as well as a marketplace for artwork and designs created by artists from different corners of the globe. They have everything from wall décor to various other types of products. They can assist emerging artists to showcase their public art that can reach people across the globe.

The platform highlights individual artisans through dedicated maker profiles, fostering a connection between creators and customers. This promotes storytelling and transparency in craftsmanship.

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II. Saatchi Art

Saatchi Art is a premier online marketplace for fine art, offering entrepreneurs a model for creating robust platforms. It features diverse offerings, including original artwork and customizable prints in various materials such as canvas, acrylic, and metal, appealing to a wide range of art lovers.

Artists retain pricing control, ensuring transparency and fairness.

The platform’s global reach, supported by reliable shipping and customer service, connects local artists with international buyers. User-friendly tools like artist profiles and advanced filters enhance the browsing experience, making it a preferred destination for art enthusiasts.

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III. Local Makers (Turkey)

Local Makers excels in providing diverse product categories, showcasing an extensive range of locally crafted goods, including decor, ceramics, aromatherapy products, and art prints. This variety establishes it as a one-stop shop for handmade and artistic items, effectively appealing to a broad spectrum of customers with varied interests.

The platform also emphasizes sustainability, promoting eco-conscious living through its selection of upcycled products and toxin-free household items. This focus on sustainable practices aligns with contemporary consumer values, making it a preferred choice for environmentally aware shoppers.

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IV. Bazaa (Australia)

The marketplace impressively offers wide-ranging categories, encompassing art, home decor, and personal accessories. This curated yet comprehensive selection provides customers with a seamless shopping experience, catering to diverse tastes and needs.

With interactive features, such as themed or seasonal collections, the browsing experience becomes both engaging and purposeful. Customers are guided to discover products that align with their interests, enhancing their connection to the platform.

Finally, the marketplace achieves global outreach, effectively blending local cultural representation with international shipping capabilities. This empowers local artisans to expand their reach and share their craft with a broader audience.

2. Recommended marketplace types

Building a platform to promote local arts and culture can be visualized using the following marketplace types. The decision you make will depend on the type of customers you want to reach as well as what you want your company goals to be:‍

I. Product-based marketplace‍

Example: Etsy connects artists to a global audience, offering tools for listing, transactions, and marketing.

This model showcases physical goods like paintings, crafts, and cultural decor. Sellers list their creations, while buyers browse through curated collections. Ideal for artists and artisans producing tangible works.

II. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) marketplace

Example: ArtPal provides free storefronts for artists to directly sell unique pieces to customers.

‍Enables direct exchanges between individual artists and buyers. It’s particularly appealing for niche or bespoke items, allowing artists to maintain control over their listings and pricing.

IV. Auction-based marketplace‍

Example: Saatchi Art integrates curated fine art listings with auction options, creating exclusivity and dynamic pricing.

Designed for premium art or rare cultural artifacts, this model uses a bidding system to increase engagement and perceived value. It’s suited for high-end and collectible items.

3. Features you should include in your art marketplace

When deciding on whether to create a Product-based or Service-based marketplace, enhance user experience for your target audience by incorporating the following features:

• Artist Profiles: Dedicated pages showcasing artist bios, portfolios, and their creative journey to foster connection and trust with buyers.
• Advanced Search and Filtering: Allow users to search by medium, style, price, or location to simplify discovery and enhance user experience.
• High-Resolution Imagery: Offer zoomable, high-quality images or 360-degree views for better appreciation of artwork details.
• Commission Requests: Enable buyers to request custom pieces directly from artists, boosting personalized offerings.
• Secure Payment Gateway: Support multiple payment options, ensuring secure and seamless transactions.
• Global Shipping and Logistics: Provide integrated shipping solutions for both local and international deliveries, with real-time tracking.
• Community and Engagement Features: Include reviews, ratings, and discussion forums for buyers and artists to interact and build community.
• Auction and Dynamic Pricing Options: Offer bidding features for unique or high-value art pieces to create excitement and value.
• Art Curation Tools: Provide curated collections based on trends, seasons, or events to guide users in their exploration.
• Mobile App Integration: Ensure mobile-friendly navigation or a dedicated app for browsing and purchasing on the go.

4. A step-by-step guide to building art marketplace with Shipturtle

Building a feature-rich multi-vendor marketplace may seem like a big and daunting task, but it can really happen with the right tools and clear self-explanatory steps.

Let's break it down into six simple steps:

• Step 1: Set up your cart platform.
• Step 2: Select your multi-vendor plugin.
• Step 3: Connect various vendor stores.
• Step 4: Utilise strong workflows and integrations.
• Step 5: Customise using open APIs.
• Step 6: Adopt the right marketing strategies

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Note: A unique domain name and a hosting plan is needed.

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Step 1: Set up your cart platform

Setting up your eCommerce platform is crucial for laying a solid foundation.

Platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento serve as the foundation, allowing you to build a marketplace suited to your specific company needs.

This is how you do it:

1. Visit the Shopify website and set up an account.
   
2. To use Woocommerce, first install WordPress and then activate the WooCommerce plugin.
   
3. Choose a website theme that fits your marketplace's specialisation.
   

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Step 2: Select the multivendor plugin

Having your cart platform ready guarantees that your business may be transformed into a multivendor marketplace utilising technologies such as Shipturtle. You may now grow operations by incorporating multivendor features.

Shipturtle provides all of the tools required to develop and run a multivendor marketplace for any niche, including health supplements and wellness items.

If you continue to be confused, watch the App Overview video tutorial.

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Step 3: Connect Various Vendor Stores

Shipturtle connects stores across Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Squarespace, Wix, and even physical retailers. Vendors may effortlessly integrate inventory and sales across several platforms. This cross-platform connection is ideal for growing your marketplace and recruiting vendors from other ecosystems.

Our Vendor Sync functionality uses Webhooks instead of APIs. This eliminates overselling and underselling altogether, offering a 10% increase in income. Furthermore, Shipturtle's powerful reconciliation system and modification record ensure correct inventory practically every time.

If you're still confused, see the Vendor Module video tutorial.

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Step 4: Utilize strong workflows and integrations

Shipturtle provides your multivendor marketplace with 400+ processes and 5000+ integrations. Together, the powerful components automate and simplify operations, allowing you to expand successfully while maintaining process control. 

Take a deeper look at its robust processes and integrations:

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I. Product listing module

Allow merchants to easily manage their product catalogues:

• Vendors may add, update, and delete goods straight from their dashboard.
• Upload items in bulk using CSV files to save time with huge inventory.
• Organize items into categories and use custom tags to improve discoverability.

You will complete control, with the power to accept or reject postings, guaranteeing quality and uniformity throughout the marketplace.

If you're still confused, see the Products & Listings Module video tutorial.

II. Order module

Streamline order processing using Shipturtle's automated order management solution.

• Automatically divide orders among suppliers based on the items ordered.
  
• Vendors get order alerts and may manage fulfilment through their dashboards.
  
• Orders are tracked from start to finish, with real-time information for both consumers and sellers.

This assures proper order processing, avoids delays, and provides a pleasant consumer experience.

If you're still confused, see the Orders Module video tutorial.

III. Payouts module

Simplify vendor payments using Shipturtle's numerous options:

• Set commission rates for each vendor on five levels, using a flat charge, percentage, or combination.
  
• Automate payments with Stripe, PayPal, or Razorpay connections.
  
• Create precise reports to guarantee that all vendors receive accurate profits on schedule.

This transparency builds confidence among your vendors while streamlining your financial operations.

If you're still confused, see the Payouts Module video tutorial.

IV. Shipping module

Logistics made simple with Shipturtle's extensive shipping features:

• Create global shipping rules or bespoke rates for each vendor depending on region or product category.
  
• Offer consumers a variety of shipping alternatives, ranging from basic to expedited delivery.
  
• Integrate with 200+ third-party logistics companies such as FedEx, UPS, and local courier services to ensure flawless delivery operations.

The module guarantees that suppliers may effectively manage shipping while you maintain control over the whole client experience.

If you're still confused, see the Shipping Module video tutorial.

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Step 5: Customise using Open APIs

Take your marketplace to the next level with open API support. Whether you want bespoke processes, complex analytics, or specialised payment methods.

Shipturtle's API infrastructure enables you to create personalised solutions. This adaptability guarantees that your marketplace changes per your company goals and client expectations.

5. Turn your art marketplace vision into reality in less than 48 hours

As the art industry continues to grow and evolve, leveraging new trends and technologies is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Whether it's adopting AR for art viewing, expanding into global markets, or developing a customized marketplace app, there are numerous growth opportunities.

Shipturtle specializes in creating scalable, multivendor marketplace solutions tailored to specific niches like local art. Here's how it helps:

• Simplify the process of onboarding local artists, galleries, and art sellers to ensure smooth operations and a wide variety of offerings.
• Design your platform to handle both B2B (galleries, art institutions) and B2C (art lovers, collectors) operations, adapting as your marketplace grows.
• Customize your marketplace with features such as artist profiles, artwork discovery, and virtual galleries to fit your business model.

If you’re ready to build a unique art marketplace platform, reach out to Shipturtle for a personalized consultation. Together, we can create a platform that showcases local talent, enhances the art-buying experience, and drives long-term success