Artist and designer profile page in Croatia on Websta

What to put on your Websta profile

Your Websta profile is your online base. It works like a website and a booking tool at the same time. Start with the essentials: your name or business name, your location in Croatia, and a short description of what you do - whether you design graphics, paint, do illustration, web design, interior design, photography, or another creative service.

Add photos of your work. This is the most important section for designers and artists. Websta lets you upload multiple images to show your portfolio, past projects or your creative style. Clients in Croatia who search for artists and designers use these images to decide if your work matches what they need.

List the services you offer. Be specific: graphic design for small businesses, custom illustration, portrait painting, logo design, web design, interior styling, or whatever applies to your work. Each service can have its own description so people understand what they get.

Set up either a booking calendar (if you work by appointment - for consultations, design reviews or sittings) or a quote request form (if each project is different and needs custom pricing). Most artists and designers in this category use quote requests because each job is unique. You decide which option fits your work.

Languages to use on your profile

Publish your profile in Croatian. This is your main market. If you work with clients from other countries or in popular tourist areas, add English as a second language. German can be useful if you work in Dalmatia or Zagreb where German-speaking visitors are common, but it is not essential.

Use plain, correct Croatian in your descriptions. Avoid jargon unless your clients specifically use those terms. Spell out what you do so that someone searching for 'grafički dizajner' or 'ilustrator' in their town can find you and understand your work quickly.

How people in Croatia find artists and designers

Websta has a marketplace where people search by service and location. Someone in Split looking for a graphic designer, or someone in Rijeka wanting a portrait painted, uses the marketplace to find providers near them. They type the service name and their town, and see profiles of people who work in that area.

Search works by place because most design and art services are local - people want to meet with you, see samples in person, or have you work on site. Websta's marketplace for artists and designers in Croatia lets people in different towns find you if you operate near them.

Setting up as an independent provider in Croatia

If you work as a sole trader (as a freelancer or independent artist), you need to register with the Croatian tax authority and obtain a tax identification number (OIB). This is required to work legally and to receive payments through Websta. Contact the local tax office in your county (upravni odjel) to register - the process is straightforward and usually takes a few days.

Open a business bank account in your name or your registered business name. Websta pays out to your bank account through Stripe, so you need an account that matches your tax registration.

Check with your local authority or an accountant about VAT registration if you plan to invoice clients. Depending on your income, you may need to register for VAT or stay below the registration threshold. Rules can vary, so confirm the current requirements with your tax office.

Keep records of your projects, invoices and payments. Even as a small independent provider, you are required to keep financial records for the tax authority.

What to write in your first hour

Start by filling in your basic details: your name, location (your town in Croatia), and what you do. One or two sentences is enough. For example: 'I design logos and branding materials for small businesses in Zagreb' or 'Custom illustration and digital art in Osijek.'

Upload three to five of your best images or recent work. If you do not have photos yet, take pictures of finished projects or portfolio pieces with good lighting. Do not wait for perfect photos - good images are better than an empty profile.

Write a list of the services you offer. Keep it short and clear. List what people actually hire you for, not what might be nice to add later.

Choose whether to set up a booking calendar or a quote request form. If clients book time to discuss projects or sit for portraits, use the calendar. If every project is custom work with different scope and price, use quote requests. You can always change this later.

Add your contact information - phone number and email. This is how clients reach you outside the platform.

Using Websta payments and client contact

When a client books your service or sends you a quote request through Websta, you agree on details and price with them. Payments go through Stripe to your bank account - you set your own prices, and Websta processes the transaction. You control what you charge.

Websta also has a contact form on your profile page where people can message you directly with questions or custom requests. This is useful for bigger projects or when someone wants to discuss their needs before booking.

Keeping your profile current

Update your photos regularly when you finish new work. Clients want to see recent projects. Add new services as you expand what you offer. If you take time off or are fully booked, update your calendar or note it in your profile so people know your availability.

Respond quickly to quote requests and messages. In Croatia, like elsewhere, clients notice if you reply within a few hours rather than days. A fast response often leads to a booking.