Artist Websites: How To Showcase Your Music
As an artist or band, do you really need to have a standalone website?
With platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Bandcamp, it is easy to think that you don’t actually need one.
However, if you are seriously thinking about your music and turning it into a career, band websites can be extremely beneficial. They can help boost your career in the music industry, and really help promote yourself professionally.
Deciding whether to invest in a website for your band can be an important decision. Since web development can be costly and can be a large investment for musicians who often don’t have a lot of spare cash.
But with Music Gateway, developing a website has never been easier.
Through us, you can develop your very own artist website, or as we like to call it, Showcase Page. And use it to connect everything and get discovered by fans and music reps.
Keep reading to find out how!
Do Artists Need A Website?
When you decide as an artist to sell your work you are making the decision to start a business. Almost all businesses now require to have a great website in order to be taken seriously. And being a musician is no different.
Your music artist website will enable you to show off your portfolio of work and secure contact information. It also is a way of being the place to sell your work without needing a middleman.
Having an online presence enhances your professionalism. As without one, people are less likely to engage with your music.
Creating an expert website to show off your work enables you to build your music portfolio as well as establish a place for people to see your work. As well as what shows you are in and what gigs you have hosted/are hosting.
It allows you as an artist to share with people who you are, how you began your creative journey and give an artist statement. Fans will also be able to search for you, and find out more about your background.
Lastly, an artist site enables you to positively build up your reputation by giving people the opportunity to learn about who you are as an artist.
What Should Be Included On Artist Websites?
Websites are ideal for musicians because they host everything that a fan or promoter requires to have in order to get to know your style.
Social media links, merch, and tour dates are just a few things a musician’s website needs to have. Let’s dive deeper.
About Page
Firstly, your ‘About You’ page is one of the most important aspects of a website. It is where people will go to find out more about you and what you stand for.
Start your about page with a sentence or two announcing your sound. If you have had any publicity or articles written you can also include a quote.
You want to also include a short artist bio including your history, experiences and accomplishments.
Naturally, promoters will use a section of your bio to put on their event pages or flyers. So, you have to make sure it is up to date.
Press Photos
Ensure you include high quality images from either your shows or photo shoots.
This is necessary for when you want to pitch yourself, as you want to come across in the most professional way possible.
This is also very beneficial for PR. Having press shots that journalists can easily grab will make you more recognisable and give you even more promotion when you do publicity, such as interviews.
Video
Having videos is a great asset to your website because it helps people catch a glimpse of your personality.
This is especially beneficial if you are a performing artist, as you can show off your stage presence, live vocals, and instrumental talent.
Make sure you link to YouTube or Vimeo, as these can easily be shared on your social media platforms.
Social Media
Social media is the best way to gain a strong fan following and for promoters to connect to you.
Social media is recommended for any artist, and you want to make sure it is easily accessible through your website.
Your Music
This is the most obvious one, but make sure you embed your music onto your website using any streaming service such as Spotify, Soundcloud, or iTunes.
Our Music Distribution service here at Music Gateway can help get your music onto all major streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
What’s more, it is completely free!
Contact Information
A contact form on your website allows people to connect to you via email.
It is also worth including a phone number to make it easy for people to contact you quickly and directly, without having to wait a long time for a response.
WhatsApp is becoming more popular and a convenient way to communicate. So, it is definitely worth using and advertising that you’re active on the platform.
If you tend to use a specific point of call more often than others, let people know that it is the best way to reach you and that you are available to chat!
Events Calendar
Tell fans when and where you will be playing next through your events calendar.
They may have just discovered you and want to know when they can see you at your next gig.
It will serve as the information hub where people can learn more and get specifics.
Merchandise Store
Fans often get a souvenir or something tangible from their favourite artists such as t-shirts, posters or vinyl.
Including a merch store at affordable prices will enhance your website. And also give you a bit of extra money when you aren’t performing.
Including these aspects onto your musician’s website will make you look professional, and that you know what you’re doing.
Create Artist Websites With Music Gateway Showcase
If you are wanting to create a super easy website but unsure on how to go about it then look no further!
Music Gateway is the best website builder for artists, and will help you to showcase your talent and get you discovered by fans or music representatives. You can create your artist or band page for an unlimited time and for free.
Using Music Gateway Showcase, you can connect all your accounts and your page will allow you to keep everything up to date. Ensuring you have more time to focus on creating music and you will also gain money from all your streams.
You can include all your upcoming gigs and fans will be able to purchase tickets. Use your shout outs to promote whatever you like whether that is new songs, a video release, latest merchandise or some big news!
Make your Showcase stand out with incredible artist website design. Such as, themes, photos, bios, videos and more.
You can turn it into your calling card by including contact info, websites and social media links, all with your own URL to share.
Music Gateway is the ultimate free artist website.
Our Final Thoughts On Artist Websites
These are just some of the reasons you need to have your own website as a band or solo act.
We have pointed out all the significant reasons that shouldn’t be ignored if you are wanting to be taken serious within the music industry.
As an artist who wants to continue developing their music career, you need to have a professional website. It is also important to keep information up to date on your website as well as linking to your social media accounts.
Creating a website doesn’t need to be costly. And with Music Gateway, you can create a Showcase page for free. So, what are you waiting for? Get creating your artist portfolio website today and expand your reach!