Name of your website?The artist Karin Mayer
Your name?
Karin Mayer
Your Location (city, etc)
Tervuren, Belgium
When did you start your website and why?
I started my web site to exhibit my aquarelle watercolor paintings. After many years of painting and designing jewelry I wanted to show my work to a wider audience. I have exhibited throughout Europe and in the U.S.A. but felt that it was time to take advantage of modern technology and to use the internet to show my work.
Please give us a short summary of your website, business model, etc
This is my official web site which I had specially designed to show my aquarelle watercolor paintings and jewelry designs. After having experience of the traditional method of showing art through art galleries and exhibitions I felt that it was time to exhibit to a wider, more international audience. As an artist I am proud of my work and hope that other people who view my paintings will get as much enjoyment out of them as I have had in creating them.
What has been the most difficult part of creating and running your website?
Thankfully I have some friends who are more experienced with internet technologies than I am so it was relatively easy for my to simply describe the site I wanted and allow my friends to do all the hard work. I wanted a site that was not too commercial but which showed off my paintings and designs to their best advantage. The site had to be stylish in its design but not over complicated. I wanted a site that people could view quickly and simply without being harassed by pop-up windows and excessive advertising.
What has been the easist part of operating your website?
That is quite simple.....find some friends who are experienced with web sites and allow them to do all the hard work for you. I have been lucky in that the guys who created the web site were very sympathetic to my needs, in addition to being technically brilliant. They understood completely the kind of site I was looking for, and I think, did a great job.
What was your biggest mistake?
I don't think I have made a mistake with the web site. It is simple and stylish. I do need to add some more of my paintings, perhaps another gallery. At the moment I am preparing another portfolio of my art work to add to the site. I will then have the paintings digitized and a new gallery added.
Who maintains your website and why?
I have 2 friends of mine, Mike and Kris, who are brilliant in designing and maintaining web sites. I would recommend them to anyone. Both are particularly sensitive to my ideas and try to make my web site as good as possible. I know that I, as an artist, don't have the technical knowledge to be able to do what they do. So I am very grateful to them.
Tell us how your business has benefitted from your website?
I have been able to show my paintings to an international audience. As such I have been approached by galleries around the world interested in mounting an exhibition. I was most surprised recently when a famous art gallery in New York contacted me regarding an exhibition. They felt that my work would be appreciated by the art-lovers of New York. I hope to take up their offer next year (2008).
What are your views on ecommerce and the future of the internet?
If managed properly then I feel it is a great advantage to people all over the world. It gives them access to information that perhaps they would not have otherwise found.
What are your views on Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
It is a great help to anyone like myself who is trying to promote their web site. There are many web sites on the internet and I like the idea that I can advertise my site under a particular category and that it gives people who are interested in art the chance to view my work.
What are your views on Search Engines? Have they helped or hindered your website?
At the moment my web site is still relatively new and I am not technically minded. I hope search engines are going to help my web site reach as many people as possible.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
It is still early days. I know my friends who designed the site also carried out a targeted Email campaign to other art dealers and galleries around the world and we have had some very positive responses.
What method has been least successful for promoting your website?
I think it is important that when you have a new web site that you want to promote that you do not simply sit back and wait for people to find it. I know my friends have been working hard telling as many people as possible about it.
What would you like to see change with respect to the internet?
I think that some control is necessary, particularly when it comes to things like child pornography. I am not against adult sites as such, it is just that some can be excessive. I am also worried about children using chat rooms without supervision. That can lead to problems if the parents are not careful.
Is there a place for selling art via the internet?
Yes I think so. Traditionally art has been sold through galleries and auctioneers. That can be limiting for any artist. The internet opens up the whole world, so why shouldn't I sell my art to people in the U.S.A., The Far East, Africa, if they enjoy my work.
What is your website address?
The artist Karin Mayer
