The document discusses characteristics of effective band websites based on examples of successful artists like Ed Sheeran, Foo Fighters, and Kings of Leon. Some key points made include: band websites should have clear contact information, be filled with useful and relevant content, maintain strong branding, include links to social media and areas to purchase music/merchandise, and have an email signup to update fans. The document also notes these websites reflect the individual band's style while incorporating standard website features.

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2.  Any good band needs to have a
homesite where fans can find them
or labels can find contact details.
 In building any kind of first
impression as a band, the music is
the first measurement and, the
second, is the website.

3. To understand what makes a good
website for a band or artist, we
must examine other successful
ones.

4.  The first websites to look at are
ones from the biggest bands
and artists around today, ones
that are known on a global
scale.

5. http://www.edsheeran.com/
Have a
look !!

6. 1) The first
thing that
pops up when
you click on
the website is
large
advertisement
of the new
album ‘X’.
2) There are
several
interactive
links to
pages on
which one
can buy his
album.
3) There is a continued colour theme
Stemming from his album cover style and this continuity helps
building a mental association between the style and the artist.

7. Menu
The Artist’s name
remains a large
presence.
There are links to
social media
websites to gain
more access to
info about the
Artist.
A helpful
directory to the
several different
parts of the
site.
Constantly updated ‘Latest
News’ feed.

8.  A strong point of the Ed Sheeran
website is it is filled out with useful
information and in no places does
it look empty or bare, lacking
substance. There are helpful links
to suitable content and strong
branding is maintained to gauge
the interest of the visitor to the
site.
 Obviously this is down to taste and
I appreciate that the Site suits Ed
Sheeran’s style but I feel that the
website looks too messy and isn’t
very visually pleasing.

9. http://www.foofighters.com/
Have a
butcher’s…

10. A clear and
structured
opening page
with interactive
links to other
parts of the
site. Very
visible, looks
professional.
Large, HD
photo of the
band in action
while still
maintaining
their artistic
style.
The Band name and logo are still a
present feature.

11. Link to buy
‘Sonic
Highways’,
their new
album and
‘Store’ for
the previous
albums and
merchandise.
The Image
changes
automatically,
cycling
through three
different
images. This is
a cool and
impressive
idea.

12. As one
scrolls down
the page,
we travel
along the
directory at
the top as
will become
apparent in
the later
slides.
Faint
images in
the
background
help to
create
illusion of a
packed out
page.

13. Scrolling down follows the
directory along.

14.  Positive – The website is very clean, well
organised and very user friendly and this is a key
aspect of a good website. It is not over
complicated and all the links are easy to use with
relevant information easily found.
 Negative – The website seems so well organised
that it could appear cold and not involving the
fan base and no direct links to social media but
an Email fan update system is in place.

15. http://kingsofleon.com/#!/
You know the
drill…

16. The page
opens up to a
celebration of
the most
recently
released
album.
Links to
sections of
the website
are unclear
and do not
look like
inviting links
to click.
Links to social media are
clear and present.

17. As one scrolls
down, the
directory links
and social
media links
linger at the
top.
Band News and
tour dates are
the priority.
Similar to
Foo
Fighters,
News
updates
are done
via email
sign up.
Website is packed
with photos of band
playing throughout.

18.  Websites are designed to match the
style of the artist and it determines
largely the way a band or group is
perceived.
 Common features are links to social
media sites, some form of helpful
directory, a link to where to buy the
music and merchandise and a news
sign up system.

19.  My website will adopt many of the
conventions of a band website. My
aims are for the site to have:
1) Links to social media
2) Directory with News, Tour dates,
Lyrics page, Email sign-up, Photos,
Videos and merchandise.
3) The background will be relevant
pictures of the band or band related
content.