How Do You Create a Great Band Web Site?
Easy, Keep it Simple
By Brian Wetjen
Orajen Group, Inc.

So you've got a band. Do you have a Web site?

Depending on what your goal is as a band, and how you manage your Web marketing, a Web site can be a great tool for promoting your music, your band, and giving your fans what they want.

Whether you already have a site or are just thinking about getting one, these tips and pointers should help you get started on the right foot. Just remember one thing above all else: A bad Web site can hurt you more than it can help you.

So where do you start?

If you don't want to pay anything, then find a brother, friend, cousin, or band member who can make a simple Web page. Many of the Internet Service Providers like AOL, MSN, Earthlink, COX, and others give their subscribers a little space to publish simple Web pages.

There are also some other places on the Internet, like Yahoo!, who will give you a little free space as long as you display their advertising on your site. Either way, if you want something free and easy this is the way to go.

Set up a simple page with the basic info: Band name, members, history / bio, tour dates, contact info and links. You can put more, but this is a great start. Your fans want to go to your shows, know your lyrics, and get in touch with you. Start simple and grow the site with the band.

Also keep in mind that the Web site is a reflection of who you are as a band. If you look bad on the Web, your visitors might think your live show or music is poor too. So if you can't get someone to design a good site for you, just keep it simple until you can get help or pay professionals to do it.

The next most important thing is to tell everyone about your site.

A Web site will not be effective unless people know about it. Announce it at your shows, print it on your posters and CD inserts, tell people about it when they sign your mailing list at a show (you do have a mailing list, don't you? don't forget the e-mail addresses!) and anywhere else you can shamelessly promote your site.

It can be difficult to ask people to remember a long Web address, so you may want to register a domain name like www.YourBandName.com. That makes it easy to

remember, gives you a lot more options as far as site features go, lets you get email @YourBand-Name.com, and more, but also means you've got to start paying for Web site hosting.

The fees for this usually start around $20 per month, and enable you to do more with your site, as well as have pages that are void of advertising.

Once people know about your site and visit it often, they're going to want you to keep it up to date. Make sure your tour dates are current, add song lyrics when you debut new material, post band and concert photos on the site, and make sure to give some news blurbs,

too. If things never change on your site, your fans won't come back. Even worse, they might think your band isn't together anymore.

If you're successful enough to be able to pay professional designers or buy professional services for your site, it can be an extremely effective tool for promotion. Even if you can't get a professional design, try to integrate any other promotional designs or layouts into your Web site.

If you have a CD cover designed, see if the person laying out the artwork can make a simple Web design for you. Or try to make your site look similar. Keeping your brand consistent will solidify your image and help your audience keep track of you.

And above all else, always remember that the Web site is really for your fans. They'll do a good job of letting you know what they want to see on your site, but they'll be even happier if It's ready for them when they get there.

Resources & Links:

Domain Name Registration:

http://www.godaddy.com/

http://www.netsol.com/

Free Web Site Space:

http://geocities.yahoo.com/home/

Band Web Hosting:

http://www.hostbaby.com/

http://www.orajen.com/

Professional Site Design & Services:

http://www.orajen.com/

http://www.bandsandvenues.com/