This list is based on global website traffic data collected by ahrefs.com , a big data company that tracks website traffic and is ranked amongst the top 50 supercomputers of the world. (As listed by top500.org , a project launched in 1993 to measure and improve supercomputer statistics)
This list also takes into account websites that are relevant and popular for use visual artists and designers in traditional and digital media, crafts, film and photography. It excludes highly professional platforms that do not have a free to use option.
.
Display:
Behance, owned by Adobe is a professional portfolio website. Behance is a free platform to share project portfolios and is well known within the art and design community.
Instagram is a social media network owned by meta and it’s primary image and video sharing platform. Instagram is popular amongst a wide range of users and a great first point of contact.
Deviant Art is one of the oldest art sharing platforms on the internet and continues to stay relevant especially within the digital art community.
YouTube is one of the Internet’s largest search engines dedicated primarily to video. It is a great platform to engage and build a following. It also offers the ability to link and share work and merchandise.
Vimeo is an alternative video hosting website that offers better privacy options and software to edit and create high quality videos.
Pinterest is owned by meta and is regarded as a high quality image hosting website. It is a tool used by many creatives to create mood boards.
Artstation is as popular website for games, film, media and entertainment artist. It specialises in digital assets and tools developed by independent creators.
The dots is a portfolio hosting website that also works as a social network for finding collaborators and clients.
.
Retail:
Etsy marketer place specialises in hand made and unique creations, primarily from small scale and independent creators. It is favoured as the leading website for many small businesses.
Facebook marketplace (facebook.com)
Facebook marketplace expands over multiple platforms owned by meta, such as Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. It is popular due to its large and diverse user base.
Ebay is large marketplace for selling a variety of items and functions as a connect between sellers and buyers. It also allows bidding functions.
Amazon marketplace (amazon.com)
Amazon is the world’s leading marketplace and has different option for different types of businesses including those for artists and handmade goods. Amazon also helps with packaging and shipping in certain areas allowing for a quick start up for new creatives.
Artstation is as popular website for games, film, media and entertainment artist. It specialises in digital assets and tools developed by independent creators.
Saatchi art gallery is ash online art retail space that deals in physical art products. It has a high level of curation and requires engagement on the artist’s side but presents as a reliable space to retail physical products.
Shopify is a platform that can be integrated into personal websites and other platforms that allows e-commerce and help track sales data.
.
Engage:
X.com (formerly twitter)
Formerly known as twitter, X continues to have a large user base and is a platforms to engage directly with consumers, discourse and peers.
Reddit is a popular microblogging site and has a large user base in almost every area of interest. It is utilised by people in all fields to enagage, connect and seek advice from other people with similar interests.
Instagram is a social media network owned by meta and it’s primary image and video sharing platform. Instagram is popular amongst a wide range of users and a great first point of contact.
LinkedIn is a social networking platform for professionals. It is a trusted site for curating a CV, work history and networking with industry proffesionals.
YouTube is one of the Internet’s largest search engines dedicated primarily to video. It is a great platform to engage and build a following. It also offers the ability to link and share work and merchandise.
Deviant Art is one of the oldest art sharing platforms on the internet and continues to stay relevant especially within the digital art community.
Tiktok is a short format video sharing site that has heavy engagement amongst younger demographics and is becoming an important platform for brand relevance on social media.