What Every Artist Needs to Set Up Before Launching an Online Shop
So, you’ve got some cool designs. Maybe you're an artist, a creative, or someone who just loves making cute stuff in Canva, and you're thinking,
“Hey, I could sell this on T-shirts, prints, or stickers.”
You absolutely can.
But before you start yelling “link in bio” from the rooftops, let’s make sure your shop is actually ready for customers.
As someone who’s coached hundreds of artists and made over $1 million selling my own products, let me walk you through the stuff most creatives don’t realize they need, but 100% do.
Don’t just upload a graphic and call it a day
Please, stop uploading the static image of your art. People need to visualize what they’re buying.
Use mockups that show your product in the real world.
That could be:
A framed art print above a couch
A T-shirt on a model or laid flat
A sticker on a laptop, water bottle, or sketchbook
Whether you're using Printful’s default mockups, buying better ones from Placeit.net, or making your own, mockups help turn browsers into buyers.
Bonus tip:
Show the size of the product using a common object (like a pencil or hand), and list measurements in both inches and centimeters. Not everyone shops in the same units, and if they can’t picture the size, they won’t click “buy.”
Your titles and descriptions should do more than just look cute
Having a poetic or edgy title is fun, but if someone saw your product on Instagram and is trying to find it again, they’re not typing “Heartbreak in Moonlight” into your site search.
You need SEO + vibes. Try something like:
“Heartbreak in Moonlight – Sad Girl Aesthetic Art Print with Gothic Florals”
Your description should be:
1–2 sentences explaining the meaning or vibe
Who it’s perfect for (aesthetic, hobby, or mood)
Followed by a few bullet points:
What it’s made of
Available sizes
Shipping timeline
Return policy
Please don’t just copy and paste all the technical specs from your vendor. Keep it clear and human.
Your cart and checkout flow should be foolproof
You’d be shocked how many shops forget to include a visible cart icon, especially on mobile.
Make sure:
Your cart icon is always visible at the top
“Add to Cart” triggers a confirmation or popup
Customers can continue browsing without losing their cart
If it takes more than a few seconds to figure out how to check out, your customer will give up.
Offer every payment option you can
If the only way people can buy from you is with a credit card, you're making it harder than it needs to be.
Not everyone saves their card info in their browser, and nobody wants to walk across the house to find their wallet just to buy a sticker.
Set your shop up with:
Apple Pay
PayPal
Shop Pay
Klarna or Afterpay that allows them to pay in installments (yes, even for low-ticket items)
Impulse buys require zero friction. Make it easy for people to say “yes” while the moment’s still hot.
Set clear shipping expectations (and put them everywhere)
One of the biggest reasons people bail at checkout? Unclear shipping info.
Even if you're using print-on-demand like Printful, you still need to tell people what to expect.
Be upfront about:
Production time (e.g., “Ships in 5–7 business days”)
Average delivery times (e.g., “Most U.S. orders arrive in 7–10 days”)
International shipping delays or restrictions
Where to find tracking info
Your return & refund policy
Put this info:
In the product description
In a collapsible FAQ on the product page
On your site-wide Shipping Policy page
Clear = trustworthy.
Trustworthy = sales.
Help people buy more than one thing
If your site only encourages single-item purchases, you're leaving money on the table.
Ways to increase your average order value:
Show “You Might Also Like” suggestions under each product
Offer a “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” deal
Unlock free shipping when they spend over $75
Sell sticker packs or bundle collections of prints
People love to feel like they’re getting a deal, and the more they buy, the better your profit margins.
Set up abandoned cart emails (it’s free money)
If someone adds something to their cart, enters their email, and leaves without buying, don’t let them disappear.
Use abandoned cart automations (via Shopify, ConvertKit, Klaviyo, etc.) to:
Remind them they left something behind (24 hrs later is ideal)
Offer a coupon or free shipping
Gently nudge them back with a line like “Still thinking about it?” or “Cart expiring soon!”
These emails won’t convert everyone, but they often make the difference between a slow month and a profitable one.
Match your homepage to your content
If you’ve been promoting a new shirt on TikTok all week, and it’s nowhere to be found when someone lands on your homepage… they’re not going to dig for it.
Update your shop layout weekly if needed. The order of your products should reflect the order you’re talking about them on social.
If you want people to buy what you're excited about, make sure it's the first thing they see.
Don’t skip the legal pages
You need the basics:
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Shipping Policy
Return & Refund Policy
Don’t know where to start? Google it, use Shopify’s built-in templates, or steal mine from lettershoppe.com and tweak them to fit your shop.
Need help setting it up or want me to audit your shop?
If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, I’ve got you.
Book a 1-on-1 coaching session with me!
We’ll:
Audit your website, product pages, and checkout flow
Talk through your content strategy
Improve your customer journey
Set you up with 2 weeks of support so you’re not doing this alone
Let’s get your shop working as hard as you are.
