How do I get my first customers as an artist in Namur?

Your first customers usually come from people you already know - friends, family, colleagues, and their networks. Tell people what you do and show them your work. Search online for how other artists in Namur describe their services and find ways to appear in search results when people look for artists in your city. Join local networks, attend events and let people in the creative community know you are available. A Websta profile gives people a place to find you and book work, but you still need to tell people it exists.

What price should I set as a new artist or designer?

Price based on how long the work takes, what materials or tools it requires, and what you need to earn to make it worth your time. Look at what other artists in Namur charge for similar work. Start honestly, not so low that you cannot afford the time, and adjust after your first few jobs when you know better how long things really take. You control your own prices - Websta does not set them for you.

Do I need special permits or registration to work as an artist in Belgium?

Yes. As an independent person earning money in Belgium, you need to register as self-employed with the tax authorities and social security system. The exact process and requirements depend on your situation. Contact the Belgian tax office (SPF Finances) or a local accountant to find out what you specifically need to do before you start taking money for work.

How does Websta handle payments from customers?

When a customer pays through your Websta profile, the payment is processed by Stripe and goes directly into your own bank account. You keep the full amount you set as your price. You are responsible for reporting this income to the tax authorities and handling any fees or taxes that apply to your situation.

Can I use Websta alongside other ways of finding customers?

Yes. Websta is one way customers can find you and book your services, but it works best alongside word of mouth, direct outreach and your own online presence. Many artists use Websta as their booking page and point customers to it from social media, email, and in-person conversations. You can also take bookings and payments outside Websta if you prefer, though having one clear place for people to find your services and prices helps.

Making money as an artist and designer in Namur

Updated October 21, 2026

Where customers for artists and designers in Namur actually come from

People who pay for design and art work in Namur come from several places. Many are individuals searching online - they type keywords like 'graphic designer Namur' or 'artist commission' into Google and click on profiles that appear high in search results. Others hear about you through word of mouth from friends, colleagues or past clients. Some find you through local networks: people working in small businesses, schools, nonprofits, and cultural organisations in the city who need design work done and ask around for recommendations.

Local businesses - shops, cafes, small manufacturers, marketing agencies - need branding, logos, packaging design and illustrations. Schools and universities in Namur sometimes hire artists for events, murals or educational projects. Individual customers commission portraits, custom artwork or design services for personal projects. Online work from people outside Namur is also possible if you build a visible profile, though local customers are usually easier to reach first because they can see your work and meet you.

Setting your first prices and talking about money

In a city like Namur, there is no single correct price for design or art work. What you charge depends on what you actually do - a logo design, a portrait commission, a mural, or illustration work each has different scope and time involved. The only honest approach is to think through your own costs, how many hours the work takes, and what you need to earn to make it worth your time.

When you are starting out, avoid pricing so low that you burn yourself out or signal to customers that the work is worth very little. At the same time, do not price yourself out of reach for the local market. Talk to other artists and designers in your network about what they charge for similar work. Look at what other providers in Namur list on their profiles. Many people adjust their prices after their first few jobs once they know how long work actually takes and what customers in your area will pay. Setting prices as an independent person is your own decision - you choose what to list.

What your first ten customers usually look like

The first customers tend to be people you already know or who find you through someone who knows you. A friend of a friend needs a logo. Someone sees your work on social media and asks about a commission. A local shop owner hears about you and gets in touch. These early customers often become repeat clients and refer others.

Your first jobs are unlikely to be huge projects with big budgets. They are more likely to be smaller commissions - a website illustration, a personal portrait, a business card design, or a custom piece. This is normal and useful because you learn what customers expect, how long work really takes, and how to handle the practical side of taking money and delivering work. Most people find that their second and third customers are easier to work with because they have worked through the details once.

Legal and practical steps for independent artists and designers in Belgium

As an independent person in Belgium earning money for design or art work, you need to register as self-employed. The exact steps and requirements depend on whether you work as a sole trader or set up another structure. This is handled through the Belgian tax authorities and the social security system. You must check the current requirements with the Belgian tax office (SPF Finances) or a local accountant because rules do change and the details matter for your specific situation.

You will need to keep records of the work you do and the money you receive - invoices, contracts, and proof of payment. When customers pay you through Websta using Stripe, those payments go directly to your own bank account and you keep the full amount you set as the price. You report this income to the tax authorities. Some artists and designers work with an accountant to handle invoicing and tax filing; others do it themselves. For your first year, talk to the tax office or an accountant about what you actually need to do - do not guess.

What tends to go wrong in the first months

Many new artists and designers underestimate how long work takes. A logo that seems straightforward can involve five rounds of revision. A commission involves back-and-forth emails and meetings. You learn this by doing it, not by guessing. Protect yourself by agreeing clearly on scope, timeline and revisions before you start - put it in writing.

Pricing too low so you cannot afford the time the work takes, or cannot reinvest in tools and materials. Saying yes to every request and burning out. Not having a clear way for customers to book, pay and contact you, so inquiries get lost or confusion happens. Not keeping records of what you have earned and what you owe in tax. Taking inconsistent payments - some cash, some transfers, some through different apps - and losing track of income. These problems are all fixable once you notice them, but they get in the way of earning real money.

How a Websta profile helps you earn money

A Websta profile gives you a page that works like a website. You list the services you offer - graphic design, illustration, custom art, web design, or whatever you actually do. You set your own prices for each service. You add photos of your work so people can see what you do. You write a description of yourself and your experience. When someone finds you through search or the Websta marketplace, they see your prices, your portfolio, and a contact form. They can book a service or ask a question directly from your profile.

Payments come through Stripe, a payment processor that handles card transactions. The money goes into your own bank account - you keep the full amount you set as the price, and you handle what you owe in fees and tax. Your profile becomes a page you can send to anyone - a potential customer, a friend who wants to recommend you, a local business that might hire you. It sits on the web where search engines find it, so people looking for an artist or designer in Namur can discover you. This saves you from building a website yourself and gives you a professional-looking place to show your work and take bookings.

Making it work in Namur as an artist and designer

Earning money as an independent artist or designer takes real work. You need to actually be good at what you do, deliver on time, and keep customers happy. You need to spend time on finding customers - through word of mouth, online search, networking and outreach. You need to handle the business side - invoicing, payment, tax. There is no timeline that applies to everyone and no guaranteed number of customers. Some people build a full income within a year; others take two or three years and combine it with another job.

The advantage of a city like Namur is that it is small enough that word of mouth travels fast and large enough that there are enough people and businesses to support several artists and designers. Start with people you know, build a profile on Websta where customers can find and book you, deliver good work, and reinvest what you earn in better tools, more visibility and more time on the work itself.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get my first customers as an artist in Namur?: Your first customers usually come from people you already know - friends, family, colleagues, and their networks. Tell people what you do and show them your work. Search online for how other artists in Namur describe their services and find ways to appear in search results when people look for artists in your city. Join local networks, attend events and let people in the creative community know you are available. A Websta profile gives people a place to find you and book work, but you still need to tell people it exists.
What price should I set as a new artist or designer?: Price based on how long the work takes, what materials or tools it requires, and what you need to earn to make it worth your time. Look at what other artists in Namur charge for similar work. Start honestly, not so low that you cannot afford the time, and adjust after your first few jobs when you know better how long things really take. You control your own prices - Websta does not set them for you.
Do I need special permits or registration to work as an artist in Belgium?: Yes. As an independent person earning money in Belgium, you need to register as self-employed with the tax authorities and social security system. The exact process and requirements depend on your situation. Contact the Belgian tax office (SPF Finances) or a local accountant to find out what you specifically need to do before you start taking money for work.
How does Websta handle payments from customers?: When a customer pays through your Websta profile, the payment is processed by Stripe and goes directly into your own bank account. You keep the full amount you set as your price. You are responsible for reporting this income to the tax authorities and handling any fees or taxes that apply to your situation.
Can I use Websta alongside other ways of finding customers?: Yes. Websta is one way customers can find you and book your services, but it works best alongside word of mouth, direct outreach and your own online presence. Many artists use Websta as their booking page and point customers to it from social media, email, and in-person conversations. You can also take bookings and payments outside Websta if you prefer, though having one clear place for people to find your services and prices helps.

About the numbers

Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.

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