As a gigging musician, it’s not essential to run a website. With social media, you can gain plenty of leads and market yourself effectively—for free.
However, the benefits of a website lean more toward the professional spectrum, allowing musicians to reach higher echelons in the industry. Here are some reasons you should consider running a website for your act:
Main Benefit
One of the most underrated benefits of having a website is that you can charge higher rates. That’s right—by investing in a website, you’re investing in yourself, which signals to clients that you’re earning from your craft and taking it seriously.
Imagine this scenario: someone contacts you to recommend you to a potential client. The client is high-profile, but you’re more than capable of meeting their needs. You could:
- a) Send them your Instagram, which might include pictures of your everyday activities with friends and family, or
- b) Send them a link to your professional website, featuring high-quality photos and videos of your act.
Now imagine they’re considering two artists. Clients often book based on first impressions, so if you’re ready with a website, you’re more likely to snap up that booking over your competitors.
Homepage
Keep it simple. Immediately establish who you are, provide clear links to your work, and include a contact page. This page often ranks on Google when people search for you, so make sure your header tags include your act name.
Bio
Often, when you’re booked for local gigs and festivals, you need to provide some background about your act to generate interest. A strong bio also supports your branding, helping people connect with what you do.
When people know more about you, they go from spectators to fans. This will help you sell tickets, promote original music, and generate more bookings.
Portfolio
You can split your content across different pages (e.g., Gallery, Showreels), but make sure users can easily navigate to your material. Make it as easy as possible for clients to see you perform—those booking for big events value efficiency and don’t have time to dig around.
Ensure you have a solid showreel ready and direct people to it with a clear link.
Events
While not essential, an events page can help drive people to your shows, increasing the chance of repeat bookings. You can easily link a Google Calendar to your website—use YouTube or AI-generated tutorials to guide you.
Contact Page
Again, keep it clear and simple. Collect the client’s name, email, phone number, and provide space for a message.
This page is invaluable for generating leads—and (hopefully) will result in lots of work!
Note from the editor: My website generates an average of 3-5 valuable leads per month.
Platforms
Building a website today is fairly easy. There are a number of options, but we recommend the following as they are simple and cost-effective:
Each is user-friendly and offers features such as domain hosting, basic analytics, mailing lists, and more.
Costs
Here’s the bad news: you do have to pay for it.
Here’s the good news: one show could pay for an entire year.
You’ll need to cover domain hosting and website builder fees—typically around £100 for the first year, and up to £250+ for subsequent years. But the leads you generate will far outweigh the cost!
General Tips
- Keep your website updated with your latest releases, major upcoming events, achievements, and new showreels.
- Test your links regularly.
- Don’t forget to check your website on mobile—most users will view it that way.
A website is a powerful tool for improving your professional appearance, generating leads and showcasing your act. If you are a gigging musician it can really help elevate you to higher places!
If you found this article, we regularly post content on how to grow your act – sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date!