Music Websites and Live Streaming
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Music websites with live streaming events could be a new way for music businesses to promote their music amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Rolling Stone magazine, many artists are scrambling for livestreaming amid cancellations of hundreds of tours, concerts, and events due to social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. They reported, “organizers for the fourth annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert, featuring Jackson Browne, the Black Crowes’ Chris and Rich Robinson, and Leon Bridges, went the livestream route, limiting in-person attendance to media, artist personnel, and friends and family. British singer and songwriter Yungblud streamed a concert early Monday on YouTube, featuring Machine Gun Kelly and Bella Thorne.”
Why Do I Need A Music Website?
First, a music website allows your potential fans to find you more easily.
Secondly, you can sell music directly to your fans on your online music store 24/7.
Thirdly, you can livestream performances on Youtube and play the Youtube videos directly on your website.
Fourthly, folks can find fan reviews on your music website.
Fifthly, a music website with the right content can keep your site at the top of search results pages i.e. higher SEO ranking on search engines like Google.
Sixthly, a music website allows you to build credibility and brand image and awareness.
Additionally, you can share your posts on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube, etc. This can funnel your social media visitors and followers back to your website.
Lastly, a website can tell your current and potential fans a lot of information like new albums, tours, crowdfunding campaigns, special events on your calendar, and more. It can educate, qualify, and convert leads into fans and customers.
What Options Are Available?
Deciding which content management system (CMS) to use to create a music website is the very first and yet the most critical step. However, there are tons of options available. Below is a summary of the most popular CMS you may use to create a music website.
- Music hosted platforms like Bandoogle
- Hosted platforms like Wix, Weebly, Squarespace and WordPress.com where you can find music website templates
- Self-hosted platforms like WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal
How to Live Stream Your Music?
Live streaming your music is a good way to connect with your fans and promote your music. Due to social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, live streaming is the best way to keep your audience happy. Here are some tips on how to live stream your music.
First, you will need live streaming equipment which consists of a computer, a webcam, a microphone, and live streaming software.
Secondly, you should sign up as many platforms as possible for the widest possible audience including YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Instagram Live, Vimeo Live Stream, Twitch, and Periscope. However, to broadcast a live stream to different platforms, you will need to sign up a simulcasting platform like StreamYard and Hovercast.
Thirdly, you may want to monetize your live music streams if your fans love your content. You may ask your fans to make online donations or pay for your premium streams. You can earn ad income on those live streaming platforms.
Fourthly, besides sharing a song you wrote, you can cover a song from an artist, share a tutorial on the musical instruments you play, review a musical instrument, give a tour of your recording studio, share fun experiences from a tour you made, etc.
Fifthly, you may team up with other musicians to reach out to new fans for mutual benefits.
Lastly, you should find out how to capture better audios and videos.
Top Music Sites Use WordPress
WordPress is the world’s leading content management system (CMS) trusted by over 35% of all the website users worldwide.
The world’s well-known artists use WordPress to power their websites.
- Adele
- Celine Dion
- Katy Perry
- Alicia Keys
- Pink
- Justin Timberlake
- Bee Gees
- Barbra Streisand
- Billy Joel
- Bob Dylan
- Bruce Springsteen
The following are among the World’s Top 10 Largest Record Labels using WordPress to power their websites.
A WordPress music website has the following main features.
- Simplicity
- Flexibility
- Publish with Ease
- Publishing Tools
- User Management
- Media Management
- Built-in Comments
- Fully Customizable
- Browser Compatibility
- Multilingual Blogs
- Own Your Data
What Should a Music Website Have?
First, to serve the aforesaid purposes, a music website should include the following pages.
- Home
- A slider of promo images or videos
- A music player with your best tracks
- A call-to-action button to buy your music
- A brief bio with images
- A newsletter sign-up form
- Social media icons
- About
- Write up a good bio about yourself or your band including your background, accomplishments, and what sets you apart from other artists
- Music
- Showcase all of your music, lyrics, album, and single info with options to listen and buy
- Store
- Sell your music and other merchandise directly on your website
- Gallery
- Showcase your photos on promo videos, live performances, live streams, events, etc.
- Videos
- Embed your Youtube videos including live streaming videos
- Events
- Showcase your past live performances
- Keep your fans abreast of your upcoming live performances on a calendar like dates, prices, venues, etc to be synchronized with Google Calendar
- Contacts
- For booking, media inquiries, and fan correspondence
- a contact form
- a newsletter signup form
- social media links
Secondly, you may consider using content to market your services. They include blog posts, podcasts, and webinars.
Last but not least, you should also ensure the following in your music website.
- Good UI/UX in terms of design, colors, fonts, and navigation
- Short and concise calls-to-action that stand out with compelling words
- Website performance optimization
- Mobile-friendly responsive design
- HTTPS secure
Conclusion – The Best Solution
Which is the best solution to create a music website? If you are just starting up with zero marketing budget, you may try DIY hosted solutions like Wix or Bandoogle.
If you are serious about your music business, you may want to scale up your website with customizations and add-on features using WordPress. This makes search engine marketing, social media marketing, and content marketing a lot easier later.
