In the last few years, the shift to online has gathered pace and more art galleries, while perhaps still operating a physical venue or pop-up space, are doing more digitally and selling more online. As the digital transformation of the art gallery industry continues, operators within it are embracing new business models and technology.  

If your gallery has shifted more of its operations online, how can you leverage the technologies available to streamline and integrate essential processes such as sales tracking, inventory management and invoicing to increase efficiency?  

In this blog, we suggest ways to enhance efficiencies through technology, based on the digital applications you are already using.  

Assess how you use technology and what could work better

Make a list of every digital tool, platform or solution that you currently use to run your gallery business. This could include anything from an email marketing automation solution to a basic CRM system. Note the pros and cons of each.  

Next, ask yourself questions like: 

• Where are the functionality gaps?

• Could my day-to-day tasks and processes be better connected than they are? 
• What is a daily or regular frustration? 
• What supports efficiency and which tasks take too much time? 
• Are your current CRM, inventory, sales, invoicing and reporting functions too siloed and therefore inefficient? 

Then consider how you use technology now, what works and doesn’t work, and how technology can serve your needs more effectively. Would you prefer easier on-the-go access to the tools or platforms you use? Is there a feature missing from your existing software platform that you’d like to integrate? Do you need more than a simple inventory database?  

Once you’ve followed this process, you’ll have a clearer idea of what features, functions and applications may be missing and how you want technology to work for you and any other gallery staff.  

The benefits of third-party integration

If the technology tools or platforms you use are too siloed, third-party integration is a quick and easy-to-deploy way to ensure your applications work seamlessly – disconnected applications reduce efficiency.  

Third-party integrations are generally flexible, scalable and competitive in cost, and can be an easy solution if you want a more coherent, seamless experience across the platforms you use. Switching between applications eats up time, and you’ll be able to save time – and improve your customer experience and sales processes – through better connectivity.  

You can also improve accuracy by not having to input the same data across different platforms and applications, as they should communicate seamlessly.  

Unlocking greater efficiencies through technology

If you’re out and about at shows and fairs or meeting artists and clients, you’ll likely need to update the systems you use with any new information or with the details of new prospects. But if you have to add the same data into multiple different systems and applications, this is inefficient and increases the risk of errors, which can prove costly.  

To simplify and streamline your daily tasks, and maximise efficiencies across your art gallery business, a fully integrated solution that brings together sales, CRM, inventory, invoicing and reporting will allow you to capture all aspects of your day-to-day operations. In doing so, you can better manage data, grow your sales pipeline and improve the quality and frequency of your client communications.  

The right integrated technology solution should also provide you with the data you need to personalise client/customer communications and the sales experience while automating and streamlining all the tasks and processes involved, which, in turn, will increase efficiency.  

There are multiple cloud-based, integrated software solutions available which are specifically designed for busy art gallery owners. Cubist Cloud is one of them. To find out how Cubist Cloud can increase efficiencies in your workflow and support your digital transformation, schedule a demo today.