JENNY FORREST
WEBSITE RESEARCH
For this ancillary task, my partner Uchechi and I have reached the decision to do this separately. We have differing ideas as to how to present the content on the website and so we wish to convey both methods. The photographs, merchandise and tour dates displayed are however likely to replicate one another. I have carried out research into the home websites of several existing pop artists to see what features and house-styles are conventionally used. I have looked into the purposes and audiences of these existing sites, so that I can work out how this applies to my artist and my music video.
PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE:
The band website is predominantly for the fans, to engage them through updates and the latest activity of the band. The website keeps fans updated on their latest movements, connecting to their social media sites and advertising any publicity shows or performances the band may have upcoming. Often including a biography and career history (so far) of the artist, the website may also include ways for the audience to interact with the artist and a store to purchase official merchandise. In addition, the site can show dates for any upcoming tours and a place for the primary selling of tickets, and providing behind-the-scenes footage or photographs of the band, as well as galleries of first source official photographs.
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The audience for my website is the same target audience of our music videos; the fans of the artist who we have already established are aged between 15 to 30. It is important that my website is clear with all of its content so that it can easily be found by a slightly younger audience. Yet, it is important that the website engages this audience, is vibrant and fits the vibe of the artist, seen previously in the music video and photographs. To do this, i will need to carry out further research into MY, the existing artist of the song we are using to ensure the website I make is accurate.
Here is a reminder of a brief gallery of photos, previously seen in the target audience page in Research, showing who my target audience is. These people fit the descriptions and criteria of my target audience, and I will be striving to create a band website to fit their needs, as fans of the artist.
- TARGET AUDIENCE:
FEATURES OF BAND WEBSITES (AND EXAMPLES OF THEM):
- UNCONVENTIONAL LAYOUTS:
There is no need for a band to have a website with a conventional layout as it would oppose the basic features of the music industry itself, which is to stand out and present one's self however they choose. The randomness allows an artist to be individual, with genre being the only generalisation. As long as all the key features can be found with relative ease, the website can be structured however,
- STORE:
It is conventional for a band website to have a store tab, a place showing recent merchandise and potentially links to buy concert tickets. The merchandise is often linked to the artist's most recent song or album also, and showcase the artist and their band.
- STREAMING OF AUDIO/VIDEOS:
The band website is predominantly for the fans, to engage them through updates and the latest activity of the band. The website keeps fans updated on their latest movements, connecting to their social media sites and advertising any publicity shows or performances the band may have upcoming.
- LARGE, EYE-CATCHING HEADERS:
The header of the home page of the band website is also that of all other pages, giving consistency. This needs to be large and eye-catching to make it clear that is is related to the artist. The boldness also conveys confidence and parts of the artist's personality.
- CONNECTING TO THE ARTIST:
In order for the audience and fans to connect with the audience, the band website should promote their social media links and activity, as a way of connecting on a more frequent basis. The icons for each could be used, with examples of live streaming of their most recent activity.
- IMAGERY:
Imagery is a way of presenting the artist in a different light, as a part of the product they are showing is themselves as well as their music, as the artist is the face, it is what the audience actually connects with. Imagery can be presented through a photo-shoot of some form, to show the artist differently to how they may be perceived in a music video.
- CLEAR LAYOUT:
Despite often being unconventional, the layout of the band website must ultimately be clear and inviting, attracting fans and viewers to connect with the artist, their music, and look deeper into the site itself.
- TOUR DATES:
The presentation of the tour dates should be clear, concise and correct. They need to show the correct dates and locations and flow chronologically. A well-edited photo which clearly shows the artist will be the face of the tour, and so should be used effectively. The format of the tour dates needs to clear and replicable, as they can be blown up onto a variety of formats in order to promote the tour.
