Artist Hub: A Web Platform for Art Sales, Promotion, and Secure Transactions for Local Cavite

Artist Hub: A Web Platform for Art Sales, Promotion, and Secure Transactions for Local Cavite

 

JEROME JACINTOS, OLIVER JUNIO

c1-241-02224@uphsl.edu.ph, omj@uphsl.edu.ph

University of Perpetual Help System Laguna

Abstract

Digital platforms have transformed the sale and promotion of art, providing local artists with innovative avenues to showcase their work, expand their audience, and engage with potential buyers. Despite these advantages, numerous artists, particularly in Cavite, encounter challenges such as the inability to view their work in person, the absence of centralized systems that address their professional requirements, and concerns regarding the security of their transactions. Social media facilitates access to resources, yet it often fails to address the requirements of artists, as it lacks mechanisms to verify identities and ensure secure transactions. These issues underscore the necessity of a digital infrastructure tailored to support artists and foster trust among art purchasers in the region.

 

This study utilizes theories related to e-commerce adoption, digital marketing, and information systems security to illustrate that Artist Hub is a secure and efficient platform for the online marketing and sale of art. E-commerce facilitates direct transactions between artists and consumers, while digital marketing strategies improve visibility through tools like SEO, social media, and portfolio displays. Furthermore, information systems security enhances trust by integrating secure payment methods with technologies that prevent fraud. These theoretical principles collectively enable the creation of a regional, artist-focused platform that allows Cavite artists to broaden their audience, reduce reliance on traditional galleries, and engage in business securely and transparently. The procurement and disposition of art have transformed owing to the rise of online platforms. Local individuals can now showcase their artwork more often, reach a wider audience, and connect with prospective buyers. Despite these advantages, numerous artists, particularly in Cavite, continue to encounter challenges. For instance, they remain invisible, lack centralized systems that fulfill their professional requirements, and express concerns regarding transaction safety. People can get to places faster with social media, but artists can't always use it to make sure something is real or avoid getting scammed. My area's art market needs a digital system that helps artists and makes art buyers more likely to trust each other. The assessment of the suitability of the Artist Hub application was done through a software evaluation method utilizing the ISO/IEC 25010:2011 software quality assessment standards to establish its effectiveness in helping address issues of the local artists and customers in Cavite. This system was tested by customers, local artists, and IT professionals based on nine different software quality attributes.

Introduction

The rapid advancement of digital technology has significantly transformed the way art is promoted and sold. Online platforms now provide artists with opportunities to showcase their work, reach wider audiences, and engage directly with potential buyers. However, despite these developments, many local artists—particularly in Cavite—continue to face challenges such as limited exposure, lack of centralized platforms, and concerns about the safety of online transactions. These issues hinder their ability to grow professionally and maximize their market potential.  

 

In practice, many artists still rely on traditional methods such as small exhibitions, personal networks, and social media platforms to promote and sell their artwork. While social media offers accessibility, it lacks structured systems for verifying authenticity, managing transactions, and ensuring payment security. As a result, both artists and buyers are exposed to risks such as fraud, miscommunication, and unreliable payment processes. This situation highlights the need for a more organized and secure digital environment tailored specifically to the needs of artists.  

 

Existing studies emphasize that e-commerce platforms, digital marketing strategies, and secure payment systems can significantly improve business performance and user trust. These technologies enable direct transactions, enhance visibility, and reduce dependence on physical galleries. However, most available platforms are generic and do not address the specific cultural, economic, and operational needs of local artists. This gap limits their effectiveness in supporting smaller creative communities like those in Cavite.  

 

To address these challenges, this study proposes the development of Artist Hub, a web-based platform designed to integrate art promotion, sales, and secure transactions into a single system. The platform aims to provide artists with a dedicated space to showcase their work, connect with buyers, and conduct reliable transactions. Ultimately, it seeks to enhance visibility, improve efficiency, and build trust in the local art market, contributing to the growth of Cavite’s creative economy.

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this figure it describes the structured development process for the Artist Hub, classified into three primary sections: input, process, and output. The input section determines the necessary information required to start the development process, which includes user data, including verified identities, artwork data, and buyer data, as well as technical development data that addresses system requirements, platform design, programming frameworks, and secure payment mechanisms. The next process is the waterfall model of system development, distinguished by a sequential methodology. This model initiates with requirement analysis and progresses through system design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance, requiring the completion of each stage prior to proceeding to the subsequent one. The outcome is a fully integrated Artist Hub platform designed to operate as a secure online marketplace for art sales, promotion, and transactions, specifically tailored to assist local artists in Cavite. The figure shows the integration of structured inputs and organized development stages to develop a reliable and secure digital platform that promotes growth in the creative industry.

 

METHODOLOGY

This study employed a developmental-descriptive research design to develop and evaluate the Artist Hub platform. The approach allowed the researcher to analyze existing challenges in art sales and promotion while simultaneously creating a technology-based solution tailored for local artists in Cavite. The design ensured that the system was not only theoretically grounded but also tested for usability, reliability, and effectiveness in real-world conditions.  

 

The system was developed using the Waterfall Model, which follows a structured and sequential process consisting of requirement analysis, system design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. This method ensured that each phase was completed thoroughly before proceeding to the next, resulting in a stable and reliable platform. The development process focused on integrating key features such as artist portfolio management, artwork cataloguing, promotional tools, and secure transaction systems.  

 

The study involved 85 purposively selected participants, including 45 customers, 30 local artists, and 10 IT experts. Data were collected using structured questionnaires based on the ISO/IEC 25010:2011 software quality model, which evaluated the system across multiple attributes such as functionality, usability, reliability, security, and performance efficiency. Additional data were gathered through usability testing and interviews to assess user interaction and system effectiveness.  

 

For data analysis, the study utilized weighted mean and descriptive statistics to measure the system’s acceptability and performance. Ethical considerations were strictly observed, ensuring voluntary participation, informed consent, and confidentiality of responses. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data provided a comprehensive evaluation of the Artist Hub platform, ensuring that both technical performance and user experience were thoroughly assessed.  

Results and Discussion

Chapter 4 presents the analysis and interpretation of data gathered from customers, local artists, and IT experts regarding the performance of the Artist Hub platform. The findings reveal that traditional art sales and promotion practices in Cavite are hindered by limited exposure, high promotional costs, lack of centralized platforms, and risks in transaction security. Both artists and buyers experience difficulties, including challenges in verifying authenticity, delayed payments, and restricted access to diverse artworks. These issues emphasize the need for a structured, secure, and accessible digital platform.  

 

The statistical evaluation of the system, based on the ISO/IEC 25010:2011 software quality attributes, showed consistently high ratings across all criteria. The overall weighted mean score was 4.73, interpreted as Excellent, indicating strong acceptability and effectiveness of the platform. Among the attributes, Security (4.90) received the highest rating, followed by Flexibility (4.85) and Compatibility (4.80), demonstrating that the system is highly reliable, adaptable, and capable of ensuring safe transactions. Other attributes such as functional suitability, reliability, and interaction capability also received high evaluations, confirming the system’s technical robustness.  

 

In terms of user-specific evaluation, IT experts emphasized the system’s reliability and technical integrity, while customers focused on usability, functionality, and safety. Local artists highlighted performance efficiency and accessibility as key strengths. Although Maintainability (4.50) and Performance Efficiency received comparatively lower ratings, they were still within acceptable levels, indicating the need for continuous system improvement. Customer satisfaction was rated at 4.00 (Good), while local artists gave a rating of 3.94 (Good), suggesting overall positive user experience with minor areas for enhancement.  

 

Overall, the results demonstrate that the Artist Hub platform significantly improves efficiency, visibility, and security in art sales compared to traditional practices. The integration of marketing tools, centralized access, and secure payment systems enhances user trust and simplifies transactions. The statistical findings support the conclusion that the system is a viable and effective solution for addressing the challenges faced by local artists and buyers in Cavite, while also providing a strong foundation for further system optimization and scalability.  

 

Conclusion

The findings of this study confirm that the Artist Hub platform is an effective, reliable, and secure web-based solution for addressing the challenges faced by local artists and buyers in Cavite. The system successfully integrates art promotion, e-commerce functionality, and secure transaction processes into a single platform, significantly improving efficiency, visibility, and trust in online art transactions. The high overall evaluation score (4.73 – Excellent) demonstrates strong acceptability among users, particularly in terms of security, flexibility, and compatibility, which are essential for sustaining digital commerce.  

 

Moreover, the platform contributes to the growth of the local creative economy by providing artists with greater exposure and accessible tools for marketing and selling their work. While the results indicate strong performance, areas such as maintainability and performance efficiency highlight the need for continuous system enhancement. Overall, Artist Hub proves to be a viable digital innovation that not only addresses existing gaps in traditional art practices but also offers a scalable foundation for future expansion and development in the digital art marketplace.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the Artist Hub platform be continuously enhanced to improve performance efficiency, maintainability, and overall user experience. Regular system updates, optimization of loading speed, and refinement of the user interface should be prioritized to ensure smoother navigation and responsiveness. Additionally, integrating more advanced features such as real-time analytics, improved search filtering, and enhanced communication tools between artists and buyers can further strengthen the platform’s functionality and usability. Strengthening cybersecurity measures and expanding secure payment options will also help maintain user trust and protect transactions.  

 

Furthermore, it is recommended that the platform be expanded beyond Cavite to a wider regional or national scope to maximize its impact on the creative industry. Future researchers may explore the integration of emerging technologies such as mobile applications, artificial intelligence for personalized recommendations, and blockchain for artwork authentication. Continuous collaboration with local artists, stakeholders, and IT professionals is also encouraged to ensure that the system evolves according to user needs and industry trends. These improvements will support the long-term sustainability and scalability of the platform while contributing to the advancement of digital entrepreneurship in the creative sector.

 

References:

 

Afable, F. P. (2024, May 28). GCash: Revolutionizing digital payments in the Philippines and

          beyond. Philippine EJournals. https://ejournals.ph

 

Ahmad, D., Ariessanti, H. D., & Awaliyah, K. (2017). Implementation of E-Commerce website 

         to increase online sales of Case Study of Baby Wise BSD Tangerang. Retrieved from

         https://www.neliti.com/publications/275051/implementation-of-e-commerce-website-to-

         increase-online-sales-of-case-study-of-b

 

Ahmed, M. I. (2020). Web-based seller support system: Amazon overview. Retrieved from

         https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9288418

 

Asih, E., Nguyen, P., Lydia, E., Shankar, K., Hashim, W., Maseleno, A., & Kasmi. (2019).  

          Mobile E-Commerce website for technology-based buying and selling services. Retrieved

          from http://dspace.uniten.edu.my/jspui/handle/123456789/12924

 

Ballerini, J., Herhausen, D., & Ferraris, A. (2023). How commitment and platform adoption drive

         the e-commerce performance of SMEs: A mixed-method inquiry into e-commerce

         affordances. International Journal of Information Management, 72, 102649.

         https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2023.102649

 

Basunia, M. W. S. (2020). Multi-vendor E-Commerce website. DSpace Repository. Retrieved

          from http://dspace.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd:8080/handle/123456789/3623?

 

Carter, R. (2022). E-commerce security and trust: Payment systems in digital marketplaces.

          Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, 23(4), 250265.

 

Catindig, A., Dela Cruz, J. E., Felicen, J. R., & Villamin, H. III. (2023). i-Sining: An online

           platform for Filipino artists. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/          

          367225623_i-Sining_An_Online_Platform_for_Filipino_Artists

 

Chaffey, D., & Ellis-Chadwick, F. (2019). Digital marketing: Strategy, implementation and

           practice (7th ed.). Pearson Education.

 

Gelbmann, M., & Andlinger, P. (2020). MySQL is the DBMS of the year 2019. Retrieved from

          https://db-engines.com/en/blog_post/83

 

Hariguna, T., Yusup, M., & Priyadi, A. (2019). The transaction optimization of color print sales

           through e-commerce website based on Yii Framework on higher education. Retrieved

           from https://att.aptisi.or.id/index.php/att/article/view/18

 

Ishtiaq, H. (2021). The importance of E-Commerce development in 2020. Retrieved from

           https://yourstory.com/mystory/importance-ecommerce-2020/amp

 

Jacob, D. M. A. (2024). Adoption of cashless payments by retail enterprises in Legazpi City.

           Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives., 2(9), 1528. Philippine

           EJournals. https://ejournals.ph

 

Jaiswal, A. (2018). Online art gallery. Retrieved from https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org         

          /journals/index.php/granthaalayah/article/view/IJRG18_A07_1493

 

Khosla, M., & Kumar, H. (2017). Growth of E-commerce in India: An analytical review of 

           literature. Retrieved from https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jbm/papers/Vol19-

           issue6/Version-1/K1906019195.pdf

 

Kumah, R. (2018). An eCommerce shopping website. Retrieved from https://www.theseus.fi/  

          handle/10024/149293

 

Laudon, K. C., & Traver, C. G. (2021). E-commerce 2021: Business, technology, society

            (16th ed.). Pearson.

 

Mittal, N., & Malik, P. (2019). E-Commerce:A study of benefits and challenges. Retrieved

           from https://ignited.in/I/a/78872

 

Porteous, C. (2019). 8 E-commerce trends to watch out for in 2019. Retrieved from

           https://www.business.com/articles/ecommerce-trends-2019

 

Prashar, S., Sai Vijay, T., & Parsad, C. (2017). Effects of online shopping values and website

          cues on purchase behaviour: A study using S-O-R framework. Retrieved from

          https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0256090916686681

 

PYMNTS. (2017, July 24). The art of the online marketplace. Retrieved from

         https://www.pymnts.com/markets/2017/the-art-of-business-in-the-online-art-marketplace/

 

Rahman, M. A., Islam, M. A., Esha, B. H., Sultana, N., & Chakravorty, S. (2018). Consumer

          buying behavior towards online shopping: An empirical study on Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

          Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311975.2018.1514940

 

Sturm, R., Pollard, C., & Craig, J. (2017). Managing web-based applications. Application

          Performance Management (APM) in the Digital Enterprise, 8393.

          https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-804018-8.00007-3

 

Susanto, A. (2011). Database management system. Retrieved from https://www.ijstr.org/paper-

          references.php?ref=IJSTR-0619-20463

 

Susilo, D., & Dizon, C. C. G. (2023, December 4). Digital payment transformation in the

         Philippines: From cash to GCash. SEAN Institute E-Journal.

         https://www.ejournal.seaninstitute.or.id/index.php/Ekonomi/article/view/3366

 

Sussman, A. (2017). How galleries support their artists. Retrieved from

         https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-galleries-support-artists

 

Taher, G. (2021). E-Commerce: Advantages and limitations. Retrieved from

           https://hrmars.com/index.php/IJARAFMS/article/view/8987/E-Commerce-Advantages-

           and-Limitations

 

Tamilarasi, R., & Elamathi, N. (2020). E-commerce-business-technology-society. Retrieved

           from https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/ijetmr-

           ojms/index.php/ijetmr/article/view/IJETMR17_A10_82

 

Turban, E., Outland, J., King, D., Lee, J. K., Liang, T. P., & Turban, D. C. (2023). Electronic

            commerce: A managerial and social networks perspective (10th ed.). Springer.

 

Williams, H. (2020). Which is more important: The art of selling or the science of selling?

            Retrieved from https://trainingindustry.com/blog/sales/which-is-more-important-the-art-

            of-selling-or-the-science-of-selling