Why buy art online?

Buying art online is a divisive matter, whilst some people have plunged straight into this modern market, others err on the side of caution be it because they are first time buyers or they would rather buy in person.

Secret Burial by Catch-22

However, the growth of the Internet aiding our lifestyles has seen a growth of contemporary artwork sales online with 71% of a recent survey conducted by Hiscox saying they had bought art in this way, and 26% saying that they had spent over £50,000. Rebecca Wilson of Saatchi online explains this as encouraging saying that " people were unsure about buying shoes online, so the idea that you could buy art online was unheard of. That's totally shifted.” This is particularly true as art becomes more readily available. An online presence from an artist can span several galleries and social media sites, with one gallery holding a roaster of artists from anything such as 5-100 people. Art is at our fingertips.

The way in which we shop has altered drastically, we don’t need an establishment to have been opened for generations, rather our consumer habits are hungry for quick and exciting changes; queue the introduction of art fairs, and pop up shops and galleries.  A physical gallery space is not essential now, the quick changes roll in exciting social media news and advertisement through the networks that social media has formed.Jonas Almgren, chief executive of art website Artfinder. "The physical space is diminishing in importance. The art world is often perceived as exclusive and inaccessible to new buyers, and 39% of the respondents to Hiscox’s survey feel that the process of buying from an online art sales platform is less intimidating than buying from a physical gallery or auction house.

Fragments of Matter by Simone Truong

So why are people confident to buy online? The ease of accessing information is the primary concern; is the gallery reputable? How will the piece be delivered to me? What if the artwork differs from the online image? If your concerns can be eased, why wouldn’t you buy? Any gallery worth buying from will be more than happy to answer your questions, you might want to ask where on the artwork can you find the artists signature, or if it will come with a certificate of authenticity, and exactly what is the return policy (read ours here). Buying with confidence is the key, and with the market being so competitive information will be readily available.

If you’re still unsure about buying art online Hiscox revealed that

-65% of buyers said they were ‘extremely’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their online art buying experience. 27% said they were ‘moderately satisfied' and only 8% of buyers were unhappy.

-89.5% of buyers said that art works they had bought online arrived on time

-95% of buyers said that art works they had purchased online arrived as described/displayed by the online text and image.

 

Buying art online has never been so easy.

 

Sources BBC  and Hiscox

 

Written by Curious Duke Gallery blogger Sinéad Loftus.

Lover of all art and fluffy cats.

 

Next blog-  6 reasons to commission you own artwork

 

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