If you’re an artist, band or musician, having a professional website in 2023 is essential for promoting your music, connecting with your fans and building your brand. However, creating a website from scratch can be daunting, especially if you don’t have any coding experience. Fortunately, there are website builders specifically designed for independent artists, bands and musicians that make it easy to create a professional-looking website without any technical knowledge.
Today, we’ll be looking at the best website builders out there and I’ll be sharing what’s personally worked for me and my brand.
So, let’s get your artist, band or musician website up and running, shall we?
Table of Contents
Bandzoogle
Bandzoogle is a website builder designed specifically for independent musicians and artists, and it provides a platform for them to create professional-looking websites with ease.
There are several benefits that Bandzoogle offers for artists, bands, and musicians…
- It allows them to have complete control over their website’s design, content, and functionality, without requiring any coding skills.
- It provides an all-in-one solution for creating a website, selling music, merchandising, and tickets, and managing their mailing list and social media channels.
- It includes powerful features such as built-in music players, customizable templates, and tools for analytics and search engine optimization (SEO).
- Bandzoogle offers excellent customer support and a community forum where artists can connect with other musicians and industry professionals.
Getting started with Bandzoogle is easy and straightforward.
First, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial and choose a template that fits your style and genre.
Then, you can start customizing your website by adding pages, sections, images, and text.
You can also integrate your social media channels, add a music player to your site, and start selling your music and merchandise through Bandzoogle’s built-in store.
Finally, you can connect your mailing list service and start promoting your music and shows to your fans.
With Bandzoogle, artists, bands, and musicians can create a professional-looking website that helps them connect with their fans, sell their music and merch, and build their brand and career.
Pros:
- Built specifically for musicians and bands
- Offers a variety of music-specific features
- Easy to use, with drag-and-drop functionality
- Offers website hosting, marketing tools, and SEO optimization
Cons:
- Limited design templates compared to other website builders
- Can be expensive compared to other website builders
I personally think Bandzoogle is great, it’s one of favourites on this list!
You have more than enough time to try the platform with the 30-day free trial.
After that, the plans are actually relatively affordable and include a custom domain.
With the seemingly never-ending collection of pre-built themes, you’ll definitely find something you like. Then, tweaking the design to suit your needs is an incredibly intuitive experience and you’ll actually be inspired to fill it up with content (music, videos, images, posts, etc…).
If you want more info check it out for yourself!
Bandcamp
As an independent artist, I can attest to the many benefits that Bandcamp has to offer.
Bandcamp is a music streaming platform that enables musicians to sell their music directly to their fans. Unlike other streaming services, Bandcamp allows artists to retain control over their music, set their own prices, and keep a higher percentage of their earnings.Furthermore, Bandcamp provides an excellent platform for artists to build a loyal following, as fans can easily discover new artists, interact with them, and share their music with others.
To get started on Bandcamp, all you need to do is create an account and upload your music.
Bandcamp offers a variety of tools to help artists promote their music, such as customizable profiles, embeddable players, and integration with social media.
Additionally, Bandcamp provides detailed analytics to help artists track their sales and understand their audience.
One of the most significant benefits of Bandcamp is its community. The platform is full of music enthusiasts and supporters of independent artists, and the site features numerous curated playlists and editorial content to help fans discover new music. As an artist, you can engage with this community by commenting on other artists’ music, participating in forums, and offering exclusive content to your fans.
Overall, Bandcamp is an excellent platform for independent artists to sell their music, build a following, and connect with a community of music lovers. If you’re an artist looking to take control of your music career and connect with fans directly, I highly recommend giving Bandcamp a try.
Pros:
- Free to use, with affordable pricing options for advanced features
- Offers a variety of customizable design templates
- Integrates with the Bandcamp music platform
- Offers eCommerce functionality
Cons:
- Limited features compared to other website builders
- Designed primarily for musicians who use the Bandcamp music platform
Bandcamp has definitely stood the test of time!
It’s not the most customizeable option on this list (in fact, it’s probably the least).
However, its simplicity is what makes Bandcamp great! You can easily sell your music and merch and even subscriptions.
I also really appreciate the helpful guides Bandcamp has put together to support independent artists, bands, musicians and even labels.
Check it out for yourself, you can find out more on the official website.
Music Glue
As an independent artist, you know the struggle of trying to get your music heard by a wider audience. This is where Music Glue comes in.
Music Glue is a platform that provides artists with the tools they need to sell music, merchandise, and tickets directly to their fans. By using Music Glue, artists can take control of their sales and marketing efforts, without the need for a middleman.
One of the main benefits of Music Glue is the ability to create a personalized storefront for your music and merchandise. You can easily customize your storefront to match your brand and aesthetic, and include all of your products in one place. This not only makes it easier for fans to find and purchase your music and merch, but it also helps you keep track of your sales and inventory.
In addition to the storefront, Music Glue also provides artists with powerful marketing tools to help promote their music and shows.
You can create email campaigns, social media posts, and trackable links to drive traffic to your storefront and increase sales.
You can even integrate Music Glue with other platforms like Spotify and Apple Music to offer exclusive merchandise bundles to your fans.
To get started with Music Glue, all you need to do is sign up for a free account and create your storefront. You can then start adding your music and merchandise, and promoting your products to your fans.
Music Glue takes care of the rest, including payment processing and order fulfillment.
Best of all, Music Glue only charges a small commission on sales, so you keep more of the profits.
Overall, Music Glue is a valuable tool for any independent artist looking to take control of their sales and marketing efforts. By creating a personalized storefront and using powerful marketing tools, you can connect with your fans, increase your sales, and build a sustainable music career.
Pros:
- Built specifically for musicians and bands
- Offers a variety of music-specific features
- Easy to use, with drag-and-drop functionality
- Offers website hosting, marketing tools, and customer support
Cons:
- Limited design templates compared to other website builders
- Can be expensive compared to other website builders
Now, Music Glue is very unique and will definitely be an interesting option for most of you.
It’s ability to host live performances is what impressed me the most.
Imagine, being able to monetize performances in the comfort of your very own home recording studio! The “print on-demand” service will also save you the need to stock up on merch (and store it); you can simply have it procuced by Music Glue once an order has been placed.
The ability to embed your merch onto your YouTube channel is also a must-have!
Check it out for yourself, I’m positive that you’ll be as amazed as I was.
BandVista
BandVista is a website builder that is specifically designed for independent artists, bands, and musicians. It offers a user-friendly interface and a range of customizable templates that allow artists to easily create a professional website that showcases their music and brand.
With BandVista, artists can showcase their music, sell merchandise, and promote their upcoming gigs and events.
One of the biggest benefits of using BandVista is that it can help artists build a professional online presence that can attract new fans and increase their visibility in the music industry. By creating a website with BandVista, artists can showcase their music and build a fanbase without having to rely solely on social media platforms.
Additionally, BandVista’s e-commerce features allow artists to sell merchandise directly from their website, which can be a significant source of income for independent musicians.
To get started with BandVista, artists can sign up for a free trial and choose from a range of customizable templates to create their website. The platform offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to add and edit content, including music tracks, photos, and videos.
Once the website is complete, artists can publish it and begin promoting their music and brand to fans and industry professionals.
Overall, BandVista is an excellent platform for independent artists, bands, and musicians who want to build a professional online presence and take control of their music career. With its user-friendly interface and range of features, it’s easy to get started and create a website that truly reflects an artist’s unique style and sound.
Pros:
- Built specifically for musicians and bands
- Offers a variety of music-specific features
- Affordable pricing options
- Offers website hosting and customer support
Cons:
- Limited design customization options compared to other website builders
- Limited features compared to other website builders
If anything, BandVista is most similar to Bandzoogle.
However, I have to say that I’m not as impressed with BandVista.
It’s still a great alternative if you want something slightly more affordable and geared towards email marketing.
In other words, I personally find that BandVista is lacking some of the more conteporary features of a website builder.
What do you think? Check it out and let us know!
ReverbNation
ReverbNation is an online platform that can be extremely beneficial for independent artists, bands, and musicians looking to promote their music and grow their fanbase.
ReverbNation provides a range of tools and services that can help artists build their careers, including access to a vast network of industry professionals, promotional opportunities, and advanced analytics to help them understand their audience better.
To get started, artists can create a profile on ReverbNation and upload their music, photos, and videos.
From there, they can connect with fans, other artists, and industry professionals through the platform’s social networking features.
Artists can also take advantage of ReverbNation’s promotional tools, such as sponsored placements, email marketing, and press releases, to increase their exposure and reach new fans. Additionally, ReverbNation offers tools to help artists book gigs, sell merchandise, and manage their online presence.
Overall, ReverbNation provides independent artists with a powerful platform to promote their music and connect with their audience. By utilizing the platform’s tools and services, artists can take their careers to the next level and achieve greater success in the music industry.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of tools and resources for musicians
- Offers a variety of customizable design templates
- Integrates with the ReverbNation music platform
- Offers music players and eCommerce functionality
Cons:
- Limited features compared to other website builders
- Designed primarily for musicians who use the ReverbNation music platform
So, ReverbNation is unique in the sense that it truly is an all-in-one solution for artists, bands and musicians.
You’ll be capable of creating stunning websites in minutes, but you’ll also be capable of distrubuting your music on streaming services.
That’s right, ReverbNation doubles as a music distribution service and triples as an admistrator of royalties (they’ll collect royalties for your music).
All of that, with a suite of promotional/marketing tools and you’re set!
Take a look and let us know what you think!
Squarespace
As an independent artist, Squarespace can be a game changer for building a professional online presence.
Squarespace provides a user-friendly platform with sleek and modern templates that are specifically designed for artists, bands, and musicians.
With Squarespace, artists can easily showcase their work, whether it be music, photography, or any other creative medium. The platform also allows for easy integration of e-commerce functionality, which enables artists to sell their merchandise or music directly to their fans.
Squarespace also provides powerful analytics tools that allow artists to track their website traffic and gain insights into their audience.
Additionally, Squarespace offers a suite of marketing tools, such as email campaigns and social media integrations, that help artists reach new fans and grow their audience.
Getting started on Squarespace is simple and straightforward – just sign up for an account, choose a template, and start customizing your website to fit your brand and aesthetic. Squarespace also offers 24/7 customer support to help artists with any questions or issues they may encounter.
Overall, Squarespace can be an invaluable tool for independent artists looking to build a professional and engaging online presence.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of customizable design templates and features
- Easy to use, with drag-and-drop functionality
- Offers music players and eCommerce functionality
Cons:
- Limited music-specific features compared to other website builders
- Can be expensive compared to other website builders
It’s a bit pricey and definitely a little less user-friendly then the options we’ve covered so far.
However, Squarespace is the best website builder if you want maximum customazibilty and ease of use.
It’s not designed specifically for music, but you’ll have all the tools you could possibily need to adapt it to that purpose.
The hundreds of templates will allow you to get started quickly!
If you’re looking for an advanced website builder, please do check it out!
WordPress
Did you know that the website you’re reading this post on is built on WordPress?
WordPress can be an excellent tool for independent artists, bands, and musicians who want to establish a strong online presence.
With its easy-to-use interface and customizable themes, WordPress can help artists create a professional-looking website that showcases their work and connects with fans.
One of the primary benefits of using WordPress is its wide range of plugins. Artists can use plugins to add features such as music players, event calendars, and social media integrations to their website.
Additionally, WordPress offers a range of SEO plugins that can help artists improve their website’s visibility in search engine results.
To get started with WordPress, artists can sign up for a hosting service and install WordPress from their control panel.
From there, they can choose a theme and start customizing their website. By investing time and effort in building a strong WordPress website, artists can create a hub for their online presence and connect with fans around the world.
Pros:
- Offers a variety of customizable design templates and features
- Large community of users and developers for support and customization options
- Offers music players and eCommerce functionality (with add-on plugins)
Cons:
- Can be complex to use, especially for beginners
- Limited music-specific features compared to other website builders
In terms of difficulty, I’d say WordPress is going to take the most work.
You’ll need to provide you’re own web hosting, design your website using a theme (or creating your own) and browse through lots of plugins to find the right tools.
So, why am I recommending it?
I recommend it ONLY if you’re planning to create a longstanding blog as part of your marketing efforts.
It’s what I do and I have LOTS of experience going this route.
If that’s something that might interest you, drop me a line and maybe I can help you get started!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I sell merchandise on my website?
A: Yes, many website builders for musicians offer e-commerce features that allow you to sell merchandise directly from your website. Bandzoogle, Music Glue, Bandcamp, and Shopify are some of the website builders that offer e-commerce functionality.
Q: Can I customize my website’s design?
A: Yes, most website builders for musicians offer customization options that allow you to personalize your website’s design. You can choose from various templates, customize colors, fonts, add your own images and logos, and more. Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, and Weebly are some of the website builders that offer robust customization options.
Q: Can I use my own domain name?
A: Yes, most website builders for musicians allow you to use your own domain name. Some website builders like Wix and Squarespace even offer a free domain name for the first year when you sign up for a paid plan.
Q: What is the best website builder for beginners?
A: For beginners, website builders that offer drag-and-drop functionality and easy-to-use interfaces are the best option. Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly are popular website builders for beginners because of their intuitive interfaces and beginner-friendly features.
Q: How much does it cost to build a website for a musician?
A: The cost of building a website for a musician varies depending on the website builder you choose and the features you need. Most website builders offer a free plan or a trial period, but to access advanced features and e-commerce functionality, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan. Typically, paid plans range from $5 to $40 per month.
Q: Can I integrate my social media accounts into my website?
A: Yes, most website builders for musicians allow you to integrate your social media accounts into your website. This makes it easy for your fans to follow you on social media and keep up with your latest updates. Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, and Bandzoogle are some of the website builders that offer social media integration.
Q: Can I embed music and videos into my website?
A: Yes, most website builders for musicians allow you to embed music and videos into your website. This allows you to showcase your music and videos directly on your website and make it easy for your fans to listen and watch. Bandcamp, Wix, and Squarespace are some of the website builders that offer music and video embedding.
Q: How can I optimize my website for search engines?
A: To optimize your website for search engines, you can use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques such as keyword optimization, meta descriptions, alt tags for images, and creating quality content. Most website builders offer SEO tools and guides to help you optimize your website for search engines.
Q: Can I track website analytics?
A: Yes, most website builders for musicians offer website analytics tools that allow you to track website traffic, user behavior, and other important metrics. Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, and Bandzoogle are some of the website builders that offer website analytics tools.
Q: Can I create a website without any coding experience?
A: Yes, most website builders for musicians offer drag-and-drop interfaces and templates that allow you to create a website without any coding experience. However, if you have some coding knowledge, you can also customize your website’s code to make it more unique.
Summary: Best Website Builders for Artists, Bands & Musicians
When it comes to choosing the best website builder for artists, bands, and musicians, there are a variety of options available. The right website builder for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, as well as your budget.
| Website Builder | Music-Specific Features | Design Customization | eCommerce Functionality | Pricing | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bandzoogle | Yes | High | Yes | $8.29 – $16.63/month | Email, Chat, Phone |
| Bandcamp | Yes | Medium | Yes | Free – 15% commission on sales | |
| Music Glue | Yes | High | Yes | £7 – £24/month | Email, Chat |
| BandVista | No | Low | Yes | $9.95 – $14.95/month | Email, Phone |
| Squarespace | No | High | Yes | $16 – $46/month | Email, Chat, Phone |
| WordPress | No | High | Yes | Free – $25/month | Email, Chat |
| ReverbNation | Yes | Medium | Yes | Free – $19.95/month |
Some website builders, like Bandzoogle and Music Glue, are designed specifically for musicians and offer a variety of music-specific features. Others, like Wix and Squarespace, offer a variety of features that musicians can use to create a professional and engaging website, but may not have as many music-specific features.
When choosing a website builder, it’s important to consider factors like ease of use, design customization options, music-specific features, and pricing. By doing your research and taking the time to choose the right website builder, you can create a professional and engaging website that showcases your music and helps you connect with your fans.
So, what are you waiting for? Let us know which platform you’ll be using!
If you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them. Just leave them down below in the comments!
