10 tips for creating a great musician website

There are countless benefits to having a website as a musician from the professionalism to the profit potential. Here are ten basic tips to get you started…

by Melanie Kealey of Bandzoogle

As a musician you know you need a website. It makes you appear professional online, engages your fans, and helps you to promote music and upcoming events. A website can even help you make more money as a musician.

But it’s a lot of work to make a music website, from conception to design and content creation. These top tips will help you get that website off the ground in no time:

1. Choose a website template

A music website template will lay the groundwork for a design that suits your sound. Templates are mobile-responsive, so your website will resize on all devices and ensure that you appear professional to all visitors. This leaves no room for error, and no need to know code, so you can update your website quickly at any time.

2. Upload a header image

Your main image will define the way you come across online, so be sure it’s professionally done and shows your band in your element. If you don’t yet have a header image, choose a website template with large text at the top, and pick a bold font for your artist name to set off your branding.

3. Make a clear navigation menu

Make sure fans can find what they’re looking for with no guesswork by creating a website menu that’s easy to read. You’ll want to add pages for your bio, upcoming shows, merch, music, and a contact page.

4. Create a fan experience

The beauty of a music website is that it can be an immersive experience. Your fans are there because they want to be. So use the tools at hand to engage them further. Add photos, videos, music and more. You could even offer fan subscriptions to engage your biggest supporters.

5. Sell your music and merch

Your website offers the perfect way to let fans support you directly, and commission-free. Selling band merch is a popular option, but selling music is another way to make money online while giving your fans something of value.

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6. Include an EPK 

What better way to book shows, advance shows, or garner publicity for an upcoming release than by including a one-page EPK as part of your website? An EPK for your music is easy to scan and gives industry professionals everything they need to help seamlessly market your music.

7. Add a mailing list sign-up form

Email remains the most reliable way to keep in touch with fans over the long-term. Add a sign-up form to your website to capture fans’ email addresses. Build your email list through your website so you have a database at your fingertips to promote your music, events, and more.

8. Set up a domain name 

Make sure your music website is as professional as possible by branding it with a custom domain name that’s truly your own. This could be your artist or band name (add “band,” or “music,” if it’s a common word). This will also help your website rank in search engines.

9. Consider your SEO

Google listing is super important for every musician. Make sure you add appropriate content so that your songs, albums, and event listings populate nicely in search engines. You’ll also want to create a bio that will appear below your domain name and artist name in search results.

10. Update your website often

The biggest mistake artists make with their website is neglecting to update it. You don’t need to be able to code to update your website, and you don’t have to change the design very often either. Just be sure you regularly add some content, like new events, news, blog posts, or career accomplishments. 

Make your music website a place that fans will want to come back to regularly for updates, to buy your music and merch, and find out where you’re playing next. These tips should help you create a music website that’s all your own, and that your fans are excited to visit.