With the advent of new communication technologies, buying art online is becoming increasingly common. Sixty-three percent of art collectors and investors have already purchased paintings on the Web. A third of these purchases cost between 1,000 and 10,000 euros. Artalistic presents essential advice about online art purchases so that you can be confident about your investments.



A new, more convenient way to buy art



The online art world opens the door

Buying art online has become a popular way to purchase new pieces of art formally only available at galleries. Online galleries and auction sites have been experiencing an increase in virtual visitors for several years.

Whether you are looking for a painting, drawing, sculpture, limited edition or photograph by an established or emerging artist, making a purchase online is an option that should be seriously considered because it has several advantages. First and foremost, you can see more pieces of art online, unless you are a fan of galleries and have enough time to visit as many of them as possible.



The benefits of buying art online

Another advantage of buying art online is that you can browse at your leisure, comparing and reconsidering the pieces that caught your eye first. Taking the time to curate your own list of favorite pieces is very enjoyable and generates a great deal of personal satisfaction.

The risk of making a mistake or being disappointed in your purchase is very low and unpleasant surprises are extremely rare. If the piece you are interested in has several high-quality photographs and close ups you most likely will not be in for a surprise when the piece arrives at your doorstep. If you fall in love with a piece at first sight go ahead and treat yourself.



Tips on how to buy art online without making any mistakes



Criteria for selecting the right piece

You do not need to be an expert or art historian to buy art online. Take your time and browse several specialized sites. If you have questions feel free to ask professionals for information. We recently published an article about investing in art that might answer a few of your questions.

Be sure to look at as many pieces as you can in order to familiarize yourself with the market, identify trends, and, most importantly, develop a clear picture of your own personal taste.



A valuable tip for buying art online: focus on emerging artists!

A good way to buy original art online at an affordable price is to choose a piece by an emerging artist. The likelihood of the work gaining value as the artist's career progresses is very great.

Keep in mind that you should purchase a piece because you love it. The potential value of the piece should be of secondary concern. Your taste and sense of aesthetics should be your top priority. Making money in the long run should be viewed as a possible plus.



Budget and selling price

Define your budget at the very beginning of your search and stick to it. No matter how big or small your budget, you will always be able to find exceptional pieces, whether they are worth 100 or 10,000 euros. For example, limited edition prints of original pieces are more affordable and are just as beautiful and fulfilling as the original.

As for the price set by the artist or the online shop, you should do a little detective work to find out about the artist. See how well known they are in the art world or see if they have potential to become famous. You should also make sure that the piece is authentic as this has a big influence on the price. The description of the piece should be clear, precise and accompanied by several good quality photographs.



The latest tips for buying art online

Don't forget to read the terms and conditions established by the seller.

The terms of sale and payment must be clearly explained: guarantees, secure payments, possible additional costs (transport costs, customs duties, etc.), returns. Be sure to read each seller’s information carefully as they differ from artist to artist.

Take note of the estimated time frame for the delivery. If this information is not clearly stated you should allow a maximum of 30 days for the package to arrive.

Finally, remember that the buyer has a legal withdrawal period of 14 days starting from the moment they receive the piece, regardless of whether they purchased it from a professional or an approved website.



One last recommendation: check whether or not the website you are using is reliable and serious. Do a little research and look up the manager of the site to check their credentials. Artalistic is a secure and safe website for buying art online. Our art investment experts are at your disposal and ready to answer any question you might have. Feel free to contact us!