Website codes and conventions

1. ANCILLARY TASK 1

2. Music Websites
Websites are a great way for the band/artist to market and
promote their music and also interact with their fans. Within
these websites we can see a set of popular technical codes and
types of content that are regularly used.
The more depth and variety of content - the more likely the
website will appeal to the target audience.

3. Purposes of a Music Website
• To engage the target audience and allow them to learn more about the
artist/band.
• To allow the audience to keep up to date with upcoming releases, tour dates and
general information.
• To bring in more sales in terms of albums, concert tickets and merchandise.
• Promote the record label and introduce the audience to other bands on the label
of a similar style.
• To access all multimedia such as new music videos, backstage/behind the scenes
footage, images/photo-shoots and interviews with the artist. This may appeal to
the audience as they will feel closer and more incorporated into the world of the
artist.

4. Generic conventions of a music
website
• URL Bar
• Navigation/menu bar to search within the website
• Information/About section.
• A main background image/theme for each page.
• Multimedia content (images, embedded YouTube
videos, links to social media webpages etc...)
• Downloadable content
• UGC (User generated content such as blogs, twitter
feeds, forums etc...)
• Hyperlinks (links to iTunes, Amazon, Soundcloud etc...)
• Store/merchandise links

5. BAND LOGO/MASTHEAD/BANNER
The font is simple yet
distinguishable to the band, they
will usually use the same font for
their band name on all of their
merchandise and adverts. This
iconography will appeal to the
target audience.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
These are one of the first things we see - a
great way to appeal to a modern audience
who interact using these forms of media.
A way for the record label to market the band
and enable the audience to interact with
them more and spread the word around.
PREDOMINANT IMAGE
The first thing the audience
see’s. Must be a strong, eye
catching photo to grip them.
Usually of the band/artist
performing or from a
professional photo-shoot.
The background on this
homepage changes every
few seconds - a technical
code to keep the audience
intrigued.
Also may compete with
other websites in the same
genre as this one is quite
interactive - it will stand out
from the more more static
websites.
STYLE
The style and colour choice
of the website is
representative of the band
collectively.
It demonstrates their genre
and personalities - in this
case the yellow may connote
their energy and positivity
which can be represented in
their performances.
LAYOUT
The layout is simple easy to navigate. This is generic
of most music websites as if they are confusing and
too complex, then the audience could become
uninterested.
The marketing and layout of the website is key.
LINKS
These are clearly labeled and in a
colour that works well with the
background as they stand out and are
easy to read.
They link to multimedia, merchandise,
information/news and event dates.
These are the main features on a
music website and are vital to include
in yours.
GENRE
The genre is evident through the bands
photos and image - we can clearly distinguish
that the genre is that of rock/pop rather than
R&B or Hip Hop.
The font may also demonstrate this as well as
the colour choice and style.

6. NEWS TOUR DATES MUSIC
PHOTOS VIDEOS CHARITY
STORE

7. WESBITE SYNERGY
Synergy amongst the band/artist website and other products/content is highly
popular and a very effective technique for the audience to remember their ‘brand’
and iconography. It’s also an effective marketing tool.
Synergy is evident in these examples
between the website background and
the artists latest single - this is conveyed
in terms of font, colour scheme and
image.

8. WEBSITE RESEARCH TASK - BLOG POST 1
Create a PowerPoint/Prezi/Glogster etc... on the
main technical codes and content you are likely
to see on a band/artist website.
Note down why each of these elements are
important.

9. WEBSITE RESEARCH TASK - BLOG POST 2
Choose a minimum of 5 band/artist websites from the genre you will be creating your
video for.
You must analyze these in terms of:
 Content - what do you see/what pages and links are there and why have they included them?
 Technical codes - discuss moving images/audio content etc... How does it fit the genre codes and
conventions?
 Genre (discuss how the website fits the genre and how it may appeal to the target audience)
 Style - colour, layout, images, font etc... Why have they used these choices?
 Purpose - what is the main purpose of the website and do you think it has achieved this?
 Navigation - can you navigate easily? If not, why?
 Will any of these elements influence your website?
 Does the website use synergy?
Screenshot and annotate creatively!