Galleries sell art. It’s a mystery why some galleries (and artists) don’t post their prices on their websites. Art collectors get information from the websites of contemporary art galleries. If you don’t see basic information, potential buyers get frustrated and move on to another gallery website. Collectors want to see at least:

  • Images of available paintings
  • Pricing
  • Artist information 
  • Gallery information

Why Don’t Galleries Post Prices? 

Some dealers claim that omitting prices allows them to build relationships with buyers. When a client calls and asks about pricing, the gallery can pitch the client and offer incentives where appropriate.

However, art collectors are not naïve. We all already know that art costs money. So, why withhold information and manipulate collectors into calling galleries? Moreover, many art collectors never call to inquire about art prices. In addition, customers cannot contact the gallery outside of business hours, so potential sales only occur when the gallery is open.

Another reason they don’t post prices is because their artists don’t have a uniform price. These artists raise prices in some galleries and lower prices in others. And galleries do not want their customers to know about price discrepancies. 

An artist who doesn’t stick to consistent prices is unprofessional. Art galleries should not represent them. Art markets around the world are very intimate, thanks to the internet. It’s easy to tell if an artist sells their work at significantly different prices. Of course, you have to factor in the cost of framing, such as gold metal, gold leaf, etc.

Posting Prices Devalues ​​Art. They Would Rather ‘Sell It Quietly.’

Internet visitors want to know more at the touch of a button. Galleries disservice collectors and artists by not taking every opportunity to sell their paintings. All major art galleries and auction houses display prices on their websites. It should definitely work! 

Galleries use websites to attract potential customers to their work. Not for actual sales through the website. They want collectors to come to the gallery and buy art.

It’s very shortsighted to think that every customer visits a gallery. Many art collectors do not live near galleries. Millions of consumers in the 21st century are internet savvy and often buy paintings they see online. Sure, collectors will call galleries to find out more, but having accurate photos and prices on your website will help close the deal.

  • Not listing prices is such a problem for website visitors that usability expert Jakob Nielsen recently called it the biggest mistake in web design. The worst example of not answering user questions is avoiding product or service pricing. No e-commerce site makes that mistake. Price is the most specific piece of information that customers use to understand the nature of your offer, and when prices are not provided, people get lost and lose their understanding of your product line. There are many videotapes of users asking, “What’s the price?” while tearing their hair out. ”
  • Your website acts as a seller 24 hours a day, seven days a week, worldwide. People who ask for discounts ask for discounts. Internet shoppers are intelligent enough to understand that if they like a painting and the price is within their range, they can email or call the gallery and request a discount.
  • Galleries save customers time and embarrassment by posting sale prices on their websites. A buyer would be embarrassed to find a painting he thought was priced under $10,000 selling for over $50,000.
  • Extensive research has revealed that not listing prices is a nuisance to collectors.

How to Get into an Art Gallery 

It should be recognized that galleries are part of a caste system created by scholars, money, and friends. Without money, friends, or significant educational background, it is almost impossible to get your work exhibited in a gallery. However, it’s not a hopeless situation for either of you. The article below explains how it can sneak into your system regardless of the circumstances. 

  • First, the mechanism to secure the gallery. Get the Art Scene Guide. You can find them in museums and art galleries. Inside is a list of galleries throughout the area and a map of their location. Each gallery listing also includes the genre or type of art that the gallery handles. It can be a photo gallery or a contemporary gallery showcasing local artists. Please take this seriously. If this photo gallery is dedicated to 19th-century photography and your work is abstract, you don’t need to go near it. It’s all about finding the perfect gallery for your work.
  • Now that you have found the perfect gallery. You do exactly the kind of work they want. Call the gallery. Most of the time, you will contact the dealer by phone or some kind of receptionist. The receptionist’s job is to ensure people like you don’t bother the dealer.
  • You should also have other questions ready in case you have the opportunity to speak on the phone with someone familiar with the art world. Take notes about who you’re talking to, and ask as many questions as possible without making yourself uncomfortable. Next time you call, please greet the receptionist.
  • If they ask you to submit your slides, politely say that you would like to submit your slides, but let them know that you would like to speak with the dealer about whether to include you in the gallery. Instead, you want to approach your dealer meeting with no expectations. Even if the dealer says bad things about you and your job, you’re ready to take on the music. This may or may not work with everyone you talk to, but a trial won’t hurt. 
  • Dealers have a different view of your work than the way your friends and relatives might see it. This is a purely objective opinion based on commercial concerns and the sale of your work. Of course, aesthetics and connections to art history can also interest dealers, but every dealer has their style. Some dealers like abstract works, some people like still lifes, and others like paintings of horses, so your style should match the style of the dealer who does your job.
  • Also, you would have to think outside the box. Consider Paris, Ecuador, Vancouver, Canada, and New York. Try a lot of cities; maybe you may be in luck. Practice makes a master. The more you practice planning meetings, conversations, and shows, the better you get at it.
  • Finally, can galleries save your life? Most likely not. Can they make connections that will help you grow and learn? Yes, they can. Do galleries still make stars out of obscure artists? Yes, it happens sometimes. But the major task still lies in you building your skills. 

Conclusion 

It is best to put your prices on your website as an art gallery. There are a number of reasons why art galleries may not post prices on their websites. However, despite the potential benefits of maintaining a certain level of exclusivity, there are many downsides to not posting prices. By posting prices on their websites, galleries can make it easier for potential buyers to determine whether or not a particular piece of art is within their budget, and can also attract new buyers and increase return visits. Therefore, it is recommended that art galleries post prices on their websites in order to increase sales and attract more buyers.

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