Can You Buy Art Online? Benefits and Tips

For the longest time, only the richest circles of society have been expected to buy art. It has always been a high-end purchase that most people couldn’t afford or understand. However, with the emergence of online art galleries and marketplaces, the narrative is gradually transforming. These places have led to a surge in digital art sales by lifting reservations around collecting art and how it is meant only for the rich.

If you are one of those new art collectors who want to buy paintings online but have never done it before, here are some reasons to start now. Today, we will discuss the advantages of buying art online. We will also explore how it differs from the traditional gallery experiences and how to make the best of it in this digital era.

Advantages of Buying Online Art

In 2023, the online art market roughly made $12 billion globally, which is almost double the figures in 2019. The statistics show a rise in the preferences for buying art online and here are some of the reasons that made it possible:

Vast Global Selection

Before the online art market took off, very few artists had access to art galleries in their local vicinity and it also limited the options for buyers. However, online markets have brought together artists from all over the world and enabled them to sell artworks beyond borders. This has not only given more diverse choices to buyers, but they can also get the best of every country, genre, and style.

Buy At Your Own Convenience

Just like every e-commerce platform you get the flexibility to buy art at your own convenience and time when shopping online. Some of these platforms even offer virtual viewing experiences so you can get an idea of what these artworks would look like on your walls. You don’t need to coordinate with the gallery timings anymore and can view, admire, and buy paintings online whenever you are ready. No more sellers running after you with their best-ever sales pitch, pressurizing you into buying artwork you don’t want to– perfect for introverts!

Competitive Prices and Transparency

With so many art galleries and marketplaces taking the digital route, buyers now have more sellers they can visit to buy art online. We all know that with the application of basic economic rules, a rise in supply leads to a decline in prices. The sellers have become more flexible and are willing to offer competitive rates with complete transparency. You can find all the details about the artwork such as the medium, year of completion, artist details, and everything else, right on the seller’s website without having to ask anyone. This allows you to find the right artwork on your own terms, and make price comparisons without having to go through any awkward conversations before the purchase.

You Can Support Emerging Artists

Unlike established galleries, virtual marketplaces have always been more welcoming to emerging artists. Most of these ventures are particularly established to support new talents who need a chance to display their work on a global scale. When you buy art paintings online from these venues, you also support deserving individuals trying to make money as an artist. Not to forget that your chances of finding unique artworks also increase significantly, because their work isn’t mainstream yet.

Flexible Returns and Payment Options

As someone who is buying art for the first time, it is natural to feel confused and unsure. You don’t know what you’ll do if the artwork doesn’t look good in your home or isn’t the right art for your office. However, one of the many perks you get when you buy art online is the flexible returns and payments. If you don’t like a piece of art after receiving it, most places give you the flexibility to return it within a fixed period. You also get to choose between multiple payment options that make your experience smoother. Not just that, some platforms like Artsy also offer options for a buyer to negotiate the price, which significantly bridges the gap between traditional and online methods of buying art.

Tips To Buy Art Online

If it's your first time buying art online, here are some tips that can help you make better decisions:

Look for trusted marketplaces like Artsy & Artnet that are renowned globally for buying and selling art online.
Familiarize yourself with the return policies so you do not end up wasting money on a piece of art you don’t like.
Do not hesitate to search for more information about the artist. You can send a query to the gallery and also request certificates of authentication for original artwork.
Carefully read all the details about the work, including if it's a print or original work and the number of editions if applicable.
Educate yourself about your rights as an art buyer before purchasing anything. It includes insurance coverage, return policies, authenticity, return shipping, etc.

TERAVARNA Makes Buying Art Online Easy

As an online art gallery, TERAVARNA has established its reputation among artists and buyers alike. It recently also launched its own Marketplace that showcases works of artists from different parts of the world, along with global shipping facilities that allow you to access and purchase artworks from any part of the world. It has also been a VIP partner of both Artsy as well as Artnet which are the most popular names in the online art market. When you come to us, you also get one of the smoothest experiences of buying art with a world-class range of options to choose from, only at TERAVARNA.