Below you will find 10 Features Your Band's Website Should Have.

I have come across many self-made websites that do nothing but encourage the viewer to leave the site. Some sites make it very difficult to find contact details. Some sites are of such poor quality that the viewer instantly takes the view that maybe this is representative of the band's music and performances.

MyBandMate.com is an example of a great site for bands and musicians to promote their music. This website is a great resource tool for all musicians and bands whether you already have your own website or not. If you have your own website there are several key features that you need to include on your website in order to make it both functional and attractive to your visitors. Below you will find ten key features that are vital in having a successful site that not only promotes your music but also allows your fans to get to know and feel a connection with you. MyBandMate.com includes all of these features to further help all musicians reach a global audience.

(1) Band Contact Information - In order for your fans or visitors to contact you there must be an easy way for them to email or phone you. No longer can people be bothered with writing letters to addresses so this is one sure way to lose a potential fan. The best way is to have an email form which does not display your email address. This is to help avoid "spammers."

(2)Music Samples - You will want to have samples of your music or songs that are easily accessible on your site with just the click of a button. This is a great way to build your fan base and potentially have the listener immediately buy one of your CD's or buy tickets to your next concert or GIG. Choose your best song, and by best song I mean one that your fans tell you is the best song. Sometimes you can be persuaded by your own music, what the song is about, what it means to you and so on but you need to listen to your fans in what they believe are the best songs. After all, they are the ones who are buying your music and attending your gigs.

(3)Blog - Your blog is a great way to stay in touch with your fans by sharing your personal views and experiences about your gigs, your travels, new songs you have written, new band members and other news of interest. People don't want to know what you ate, where you went for lunch, or where you necessarily went on your last holiday so keep it all relevant to your band and music.

(4)Internal Mailing System - This allows your fans to email you directly with questions about your upcoming gigs, where to buy tickets, your CD's, play lists and much more. You just never know what opportunities may arise from one of these leads or emails. This is also a way for your fans to interact with each other and create a strong network of loyal fans. This mailing system is different from a forum as it allows fans to contact and communicate with only those fans they want to.

(5)Forum - forums allow for your fans to interact with each other and establish a bond with your "Music Family." Forums will keep your fans coming back as when they make a post they will return to see who has responded. This is a great way to keep your band profile alive and active. It is also a way to attract new fans.

(6) Videos - the power of YouTube has established online videos as a great way to promote yourself and music. Venue managers, agents, fans can all view a video of your band performing. This is often what many booking agents will want to see as a reference before promoting your band. A great video and performance can open up many opportunities for your band. You just never know who is watching! This also saves you time and money in not having to send out CD's in the mail to potential customers or agents.

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(7) Post Gigs / Events - Your fans shouldn't have to search and contact you to see when your next gig is coming up. If you have a calendar or section devoted to your upcoming gigs then this will immediately allow your fans to book it into their calendar. It will also allow agents and managers to visit you or know when you are available for bookings.

(8) Photos - adding photos to your site are a great way for fans to see the members of your band. It allows fans to establish a bond for your band members. It is also a way to add a "visual aspect" to your site. It is easy to upload some photos so why wouldn't you! Just remember to reduce the size of the file.

(9) Articles - why add articles you say? Well to keep visitors coming back to your site you need to constantly update information on the site. If not there is no reason for visitors to come back each day or week. Articles are a great way to provide information about the music world and "How to" articles about being in a band are useful communication tools for your visitors. You don't have to write the articles, you can get free articles form many of the article directories as long as you credit the author.

(10) Band Member Bios - this is just another way to invite people in to get to know your band members. When they go to a concert they will be able to "relate" to you as people and have a connection with you. This is why you also want to stay after a gig and meet and greet your fans or the public who have come to see you. You will be amazed by how this simple gesture of connecting with your fans and will bring them closer and allow you to build a solid and loyal fan base.

If you would like to see a website with all of these features in action then check out www.MyBandMate.com. These popular features have lead to the creation of MyBandMate.com. Many music sites lack the interactive features or just focus on the more well known bands as this is a way for them to make money from selling their CD's or downloading songs. MyBandMate.com has been designed to serve all genres of music, bands and musicians of the world.

MyBandMate.com (free) with all of these features.