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What Makes a Good Web site?
Elements of a Web site
1. The splash page: Visitors are here to see content, not luxurious splash pages. A splash page needs to be short and to the point. Too many people wish to make it large and "cool" when all that is needed is a quick notice of who's page the visitor is on, then send them to what they want. You want them to buy your merchandise and to see your shows, not be wowed by your designer's talent and trickery with visuals.
2. The home page: The homepage dictates your true professionalism. It needs to be up-to-date, modern, and meeting all of the Web's current trends. Flash can be used, but sparingly. Don't over do it. People love flair but don't want to wait for downloads and to just see something a designer created. Again, you want people to buy your merchandise and see your shows, point them to that information or where they can gain that information. The home page should have links to all of your pages, which should include the following: biography, event calendar, news/press, lyrics, contact, links, and buy my cd.
3. The biography: The biography should be the most documented, and the page with the most impact. It should describe like a resume with what your accomplishments have been, and what goals you wish to achieve. Thumbnail pictures can be used on this page to relate to key elements of your biography, but shouldn't be over used. Your photo section should be directly linked from this page.
4. The event calendar: The calendar should be short and to the point giving directions and Web site links to the venue you are set to play. If it is a signing event, or publicity showcasing, be sure you mention the reason behind the event and maybe some links and general information. Remember to leave events up to a month old on your calendar, as this can serve as a short-term resume for any visiting curious venue owners.
5. The news/ press page: This should be a continual listing of your successes and PR. List anything and everything that you feel may relate to your career. This page helps build character for your site and it's importance is sometimes overlooked.
6. The lyrics page: The lyrics page should completely list every song that you wish to give out the lyrics for. This page is often feared, as it often gives out your work to anyone wishing to steal from you. Make sure and print a copyright statement at the bottom of the page, backing you if any legal matters ever are required. Though there is a scare, don't be afraid to have this page. Fans LOVE lyrics, and this is one the most important elements that a fan will visit (and revisit your Web site) for. It's a good idea to place a link easily accessible to your merchandise page from here. A good song can convince a visitor to purchase your CD.
7. The contact page: The contact page should list all forms of communication you wish to give out to your fans. This should at least include a form of Web communication and a snail mail address. If possible, instead of just listing an e-mail address on your site, place a Web form that submits all information to your e-mail address. Why is this important? Until SPAM mail is made illegal, the amount of spam you receive will increase. The programs that grab e-mail addresses for SPAM scan Web sites for e-mail addresses. The snail mail address should be a PO Box number or some other form of box. This is for safety and mail package delivery reasons.
8. The links page: The links page prime importance is for link-swapping and favor pushing. Exchange links with artists like you, and a curious visitor may find that they like your music a little more. The more sites your link is on, the better chances for placement and positioning your site has in search engines. Photographers, CD manufacturers, and other career necessities will sometimes offer discounts and freebies because of your compliments and "free" advertising.
9. The merchandise page: The merchandise page should be linked the most times off your site. Every page will most likely have the normal listings of pages, but this should be found next to every song lyric, linked off the news page, next to every listing of a new CD release, and at least somewhere easily accessible off the event calendar (some one may have saw you last night and wish to know when you play next, and your CD just happens to be there for them to purchase it).
10. The domain name: Nothing sums up your seriousness of your career more than having a domain name. A domain name can be purchased for practically nothing these days and should reflect the name you use at your shows. A notorious trend these days is that most of the search engines no longer accept "Free Web hosted" sites for addition into their databases.
11. Hosting: Free Web hosts may seem worth it, but your visitors don't appreciate those annoying pop-up banners. Search out a Web host that supports everything your site needs. Now days, Web hosts can be found for as low as $8 per month. Repeating, a notorious trend these days is that most of the search engines no longer accept "Free Web hosted" sites for addition into their databases.
12. Site Layout: Using frames was a good idea gone horribly overused, and will nearly destroy any chance of having placement on search engines (search engines have trouble reading framed sites). Items such as text boxes for mailing lists, quick news items, and links to buy your merchandise should be placed above the site fold-line which on an 800x600 Display setting, sits roughly at 375 pixels.
13. Site download times: These days, everyone wishes to have a very tempting and "cool" Web site. The common phrase for a Web site is "Less is More". Don't over do site graphics using animated images, or large files. The 2 main different formats of images used on the Internet are .gif and .jpg. GIF formatted files are widely used for transparency reasons and are capable of somewhat small file sizes. Being only capable of 256 color combinations, their usage is limited. JPG (JPEG) is most commonly used for more extreme color combinations as well as digital photos.
14. Overall Content: Specifically the reason people want to come to your site. Fans want information on you, and they want it now. Remember the important lesson from the last number though, "Less is More". Do not over tell your childhood fantasy's, the 10 other bands you have been in since you was a young tike, or other items that offer little value to your fans (at this point in time). You want your fans to come back time and again, so set up a road diary. The road diary can work as your childhood fantasy flashback as well as your day by day reminder of where you played.
15. Digital Files: By far one of the most important items on your site! Everyone has their own opinion on what length and file type should be used on your site. This is completely up to you. One solid lesson though, is to use either short MP3, Real Audio, or Windows Media formats for Audio, and Windows Media, Real Video, or Quicktime for video. Wav formatted audio was created for home computer usage and has the largest download time. Wav files can not be streamed, while Real Audio, Windows Media, and MP3 formats all can be. Since simple Wav recorders come with each and every desktop computer these days, there is simplicity when creating a Wav. This simplicity, though, may end up limiting your success.
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