What Makes a Great Artist Website?

by Pinky Gonzales of Artist Media Group

Working in the New Media space professionally, I’m often asked what makes a great artist website. Being the humble man that I am, I thought I’d plaster my name on this article and tell it like it is, once and for all. ;-) From my experience, these are the basic elements of a great artist site:

PERSPECTIVE - NEWS AND VIEWS

If there’s one thing a Website facilitates better than any other medium, it’s communication. Where else can an artist’s unfiltered opinions be expressed to so many people?

Post any late-breaking info, give fans an inside perspective or provide the media with an official sound byte. It’s the perfect place to announce a new tour, CD or even info on how fans can request the latest single to be played on local radio and television programs.

VIEW - VISUAL STIMULATION

There are three things to remember when posting a photo section:

1. Any photo that appears on your site today can be copied and posted all over the Internet tomorrow, so choose your selections wisely.

2. When online press runs an article about you, they’ll want an image to associate it with. Unless they have stock photos of you, like album covers or official PR shots, they’re likely to search your website, so again, be selective with the photos you put out there.

3. If you know who took a picture on your site, so should your fans. Be a sweetheart and give credit where credit is due. That being said, an assortment of official and quality amateur shots should provide everyone with the photos they’re looking for. I recommend at least 10 shots, and as far as I’m concerned, a site can never have too many.