Top 10 things your website should have, that a first time visitor could find in two seconds.

  1. A compelling photo that fits your personality/image.
  2. At least one or two of your best songs, in complete form, playable from the front page without causing me to lauch iTunes or something else to play it. Don’t make me click “buy” or “shop” or “CDs” - let me hit PLAY.
  3. A DIRECT link to your touring schedule. Not a link that leads to another link.
  4. A contact number and email to someone who will respond.
  5. A link to a promotional page, where venues, promoters, and press can EASILY download GOOD photos and a short bio.
  6. An invitation to do something - and an immediate benefit. Mailing list = free download, street team = free shirt or access to secret part of the site, etc. Don’t ask for something without offering something in return.
  7. Obvious links and a REASON/incentive to connect through social media. Facebook/Twitter etc.
  8. SOMETHING DIFFERENT and REMARKABLE. “Oh look, this artist offers ____, I haven’t seen that before on an artist website!”

Two more tips:
9. Simple design. Less is more. Every page has a purpose, and that purpose should be clear.
10. Prioritize. If your visitors could only do one thing, from your front page, what would you want it to be? Make sure it’s the most obvious thing on the page.

Please send me examples in the comments section. The best site that follows the advice above will win a free shirt from ConcertsInYourHome.com

Thanks to B. Hofbauer, who inspired this post by pointing out how hard it was to promote some of the artists he books. “I can’t find ONE downloadable, print-quality picture on the artist’s website.”