What is a Website?

Wikipedia describes a website as "a collection of related web pages, including multimedia content, typically identified with a common domain name, and published on at least one web server. A website may be accessible via a public Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, or a private local area network (LAN), by referencing a uniform resource locator (URL) that identifies the site."

But we need to relate that to music artistes and bands, for them a website is so much more than a collection of webpages and multimedia content. It is a key way to reach to their audiences. Some ways that they can increase fan engagement are;

• Social media feeds and links - This allows fans to feel apart of the artiste by following their day to day activities. This helps create a strong connection between the artiste and fans.
• Personal messages to fans on their website - This could be done through merchandising; if you buy products from the website you can get limited edition products with that previously mentioned personal message.

Engaging websites will often have these features;

• Latest news
• Upcoming shows and events
• Blog: opinions, behind the scene stuff and social networks
• Merchandise: full online store
• Media: pictures, videos and other rich media content
• Story and bio: about the band and members
• Community Forum
• Mailing list/Newsletter system