The world of online marketing is constantly evolving. While there doesn’t seem to be any one particular platform that dominates the industry, there are several platforms that emerge as clear leaders every year.
One of the platforms that rose to the top in recent years is Shopify. As a business-to-business platform, it’s focused on marketers, content creators, and product owners who want to grow and succeed their businesses online.
But, as great as it is for those who want to jump into ecommerce and sell their own products, it might not be the best option for content creators, musicians, and other artists who want to market their work online.
Thankfully, there are several other platforms that cater to the needs of artists and creators, and we’ve compiled a list of the best ones below.
Shopify
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware of Shopify. It’s the juggernaut of the online marketing industry, and for good reason. The platform is incredibly easy to use, has a thriving community, and gives you everything you need to grow your business online.
Shopify is the preferred choice for small business owners who want to build a profitable online store. It’s definitely not the cheapest option available, but with its all-in-one feature set, it’s difficult to find a digital marketing platform that doesn’t include it.
What makes Shopify different from other platforms is that it was designed with creators in mind. As a digital marketer myself, I can tell you that having a platform designed specifically with artists in mind makes a big difference. For example, you can use the tool to create a stunning graphic for your project, upload it, and then see it live on the site. No need to go back and forth with a designer to make sure everything looks how you envision it.
Even if you’re not an artist, designer, or a marketer, you can use Shopify’s dashboard to build a pro-quality website. The platform has hundreds of customizable templates to choose from, or you can use their free template to build a basic site with features like shopping carts and online booking. Plus, you can integrate the tool with other services like Facebook, Twitter, and Google Analytics to name a few.
VenueWave
VenueWave is another go-to platform for artists and event organizers who want to promote their work online. Like Shopify, VenueWave is focused on simplifying the process of getting a website up and running. In addition to providing you with a fully functioning website, they also help you find the right web host and deal with any technical glitches that might come up along the way.
If you’re looking for a platform that can handle everything from the content-writing to the legal work associated with establishing your business, VenueWave is a great option. Their team of specialized lawyers and agents are available to take care of all the ins and outs of running a business online.
One of the best things about VenueWave is that they offer a variety of plans, from the basic plan all the way up. The cheapest plan is completely free, and gives you access to everything the platform has to offer. It’s quite literally a one-stop-shop for getting your business online.
Wix
Wix is the Swiss army knife of websites. Not only do they provide you with a platform to build a website, but they also have a content management system to create and edit pages, galleries, and blogs. Plus, they have a fully functioning e-commerce store that you can use to sell your products.
If you’re looking to build a professional-looking site with a minimum amount of effort, Wix is the platform for you. Not only does it provide you with a beautiful, fully functioning site, but it also takes the pain out of the process. The interface is incredibly easy to use, and they have tons of tutorials and support available via live chat, email, and phone.
One of the best things about Wix is that they provide you with an opportunity to try out their entire product line for free. You don’t have to commit to a purchase unless you want to, and you can take advantage of their generous trial offer. If you do end up purchasing a product from Wix, their 30-day money-back guarantee provides you with a safe-and-secure way to try out their services without risking a dime of your own money.
Shopify Plus
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, Shopify Plus is the platform for you. It’s designed for business owners who want to build their own online store, and provides them with everything they need to make it a success.
Shopify Plus is a completely free platform with a custom domain and landing pages. This means that you can take your store domain (e.g., johnsmith.shopifyplus.com) and use it to submit retail orders to retailers like Amazon, Shopbop, and more. You can also use their Google Map feature to display your physical location on a world map, and allow shoppers to find you easily from anywhere.
The best part of Shopify Plus is that it provides you with everything you need to get your business online and operating successfully. In addition to helping you build a professional-looking store, they also help you find the right web host, set up your online bank account, and provide you with a dedicated email for your business.
Shopify Plus is a solid choice for small businesses who want to get their products out to the general public. Their customer service is top-notch, and they have an inhouse team of specialized lawyers and accountants available to help you navigate the legalities associated with being a business owner online. If you’re looking to establish a physical presence in the digital world, Shopify Plus could be the perfect solution for you.
Miva
Miva is a bit of an old-school platform when it comes to website design. Back in the day, you would’ve needed a developer to create your site, and then you would’ve needed someone to manage and maintain it. Thankfully, times have changed, and Miva makes creating a website as easy as 1-2-3.
Miva’s three-step process simplifies the entire process of getting a website up and running. First, you choose a template that you like, based on your general design preferences. Then, you fill in the details on each page, such as the text and photos you want on the site. Finally, you choose a domain name and register your website with Google.
One of my favorite things about Miva is that they provide you with a variety of free templates to choose from. In addition to basic website templates, you can find free templates in a number of categories, including photography, marketing, and more. This means that you can find a creative template that suits your brand, and then customize it however you see fit.
Unlike some of the other platforms on this list, Miva doesn’t provide you with a fully functioning e-commerce store. But, you can easily integrate one with the click of a button. Plus, they also have a fully functioning Amazon FBA product listing, which you can use to easily sell your products online. This makes Miva a great choice for artists, designers, and other businesses who want to sell their products online.
Dreamweaver
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution and don’t want to code anything, Dreamweaver is the answer. Their platform allows non-technical users to build and customize websites, as well as take advantage of the various marketing and e-commerce tools available on the market.
As the name would suggest, Dreamweaver is a tool used to create and design websites. It was originally created for web designers who wanted to easily preview their work online while they were still designing it. That’s probably why most of the templates on the platform are highly-structured and clean, without all the extra frills that sometimes come with free platforms like WordPress.
Dreamweaver is also home to a community of over 100,000 active members, which is great for support and learning. Not only do they have a thriving online community, but the platform itself is constantly being updated with new features and templates to keep up with the ever-changing world of web design.
In addition to offering you a one-stop shop for getting a website up and running, Dreamweaver provides you with templates for social media and email marketing. Not every template is created equal, though; some can be highly-customized while others are designed for specific industries and niches.