Instagram versus website: which is better?

​Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for artists, with over 1 billion monthly active users and 500 million daily active users. It allows artists to showcase their work, connect with their audience, and discover new opportunities. However, is Instagram enough for artists to build their online presence, or do they also need a website to complement their social media strategy? In this essay, I will compare the pros and cons of having an Instagram account only versus having both an Instagram account and a website as an artist.

Pros of Having an Instagram Account Only

• Easy to use and set up. Instagram is a user-friendly and intuitive app that does not require any technical skills or coding knowledge to create and manage an account. Artists can easily upload their photos or videos, edit them with filters or stickers, add captions or hashtags, and share them with their followers. They can also interact with their fans by replying to comments or messages, or by using features like stories, reels, or live videos.
• Free to use. Instagram does not charge any fees for creating or maintaining an account, unlike some website builders or hosting services that may require monthly or annual payments. Artists can also use Instagram ads to promote their work or reach a wider audience, but this is optional and depends on their budget and goals.
• Large and engaged audience. Instagram has a huge and diverse user base that includes art lovers, collectors, curators, galleries, and other artists. Artists can reach potential customers or collaborators by using relevant hashtags, tagging accounts, or joining communities. They can also engage their existing followers by posting regularly, asking questions, creating polls, or sharing behind-the-scenes content.

Cons of Having an Instagram Account Only

• Limited control and customization. Instagram has a fixed layout and design that does not allow much flexibility or creativity for artists to showcase their work. Artists have to follow the rules and guidelines of the platform, such as the size and format of the images or videos, the length and style of the captions, or the number and type of hashtags. They also have to rely on the algorithm to show their content to their followers, which may not always be favorable or consistent.
• Lack of professionalism and credibility. Instagram is a social media platform that is mainly used for entertainment and communication purposes. It does not provide a professional and credible image for artists who want to establish themselves as experts or authorities in their field. Having only an Instagram account may not be enough to impress potential clients or partners who may want to see more information about the artist’s background, portfolio, testimonials, or contact details.
• Risk of losing data or access. Instagram is a third-party service that is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). This means that artists do not own their data or content on the platform, and they have to abide by the terms and conditions of the service. If Instagram changes its policies or features, deletes, or suspends an account, or experiences a technical issue or outage, artists may lose their data or access to their account without any warning or recourse.

Pros of Having Both an Instagram Account and a Website

• More control and customization. Having a website gives artists more freedom and flexibility to create and display their work according to their vision and style. They can choose from various website builders or templates or hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website that suits their needs and preferences. They can also add features like blogs, newsletters, online shops, contact forms, or analytics tools to enhance their website functionality and performance.
• More professionalism and credibility. Having a website shows that artists are serious and committed to their work and career. It provides a more professional and credible image for artists who want to showcase their skills, experience, qualifications, awards, publications, or media coverage. It also helps them stand out from the crowd and differentiate themselves from other artists who may only have an Instagram account.
• More security and ownership. Having a website means that artists own their data and content on the platform, and they have more control over how they use and protect it. They can choose their own domain name, hosting service, backup system, security measures, privacy settings, or legal policies. They can also update or modify their website anytime they want without depending on another service.

Cons of Having Both an Instagram Account and a Website

• More time and effort required. Having both an Instagram account and a website requires more time and effort from artists to create and manage both platforms effectively. They have to produce quality content for both platforms regularly, optimize them for SEO (search engine optimization) and SMO (social media optimization), monitor their traffic and engagement metrics, respond to inquiries or feedbacks from both platforms, etc.
• More money required. Having both an Instagram account and a website may also require more money from artists to maintain and improve both platforms. They may have to pay for website-related expenses, such as domain name registration, hosting service, website builder, web design or development, maintenance, or security. They may also have to pay for Instagram-related expenses, such as ads, influencers, or tools.
• More challenges and competition. Having both an Instagram account and a website does not guarantee success or popularity for artists. They still have to face the challenges and competition of the online world, such as changing trends, algorithms, user behaviors, expectations, or preferences. They also have to deal with the risks and threats of the online world, such as cyberattacks, hacking, plagiarism, or negative reviews.

Conclusion
In conclusion, having an Instagram account only or having both an Instagram account and a website has its own advantages and disadvantages for artists. There is no definitive answer to which one is better, as it depends on the artist’s goals, resources, and preferences. However, I would recommend that artists have both an Instagram account and a website if they want to maximize their online presence, reach, and impact. Having both platforms can help artists create a more balanced and comprehensive online strategy that combines the benefits of social media and website. It can also help artists diversify their sources of income, exposure, and opportunities.