The Best Website Builders for Musicians in 2020
As a rising musician, whether a solo act or a full band, the number one way to grow a fanbase is to share your music with as many people as possible. In today’s digital age, there are two primary ways to do so – by adding your music to popular streaming platforms, and by showcasing your music with a beautiful website. A website allows bands and artists to share everything – your music, videos, show dates, bio, recognitions, social media, and more – in one easily accessible location.
But what are the best options available for bands and musicians to build a website? This is the million dollar question, and one that does not always have a black and white answer. But to help simplify things, we have broken down our top 5 website design options for bands and musicians as we head into 2020.
5. Squarespace ($144 - $480)
Squarespace is a popular website design platform which offers various packages ranging from $12-$40/month when paid annually ($144 – $480). The platform provides a few templates tailored specifically towards musicians, which allows for an easy starting point. Squarespace templates and designs are very modernized and provide for sleek looking websites, though they are limited in how much customization can be added. The more expensive packages include access to additional features which allow for additional customization possibilities.
4. Music Glue (10% Commission Fees)
Music Glue is a music industry focused website design platform with an interesting spin: it’s geared towards ticket and merchandise sales rather than website design capabilities. The design functionality is a bit elementary, but this makes our top 5 because it can be used for free with a custom domain name (unlike Wix, see beow). But yes, there is a catch – Music Glue takes a rather steep commission fee of 10% from all sales made through the website. Depending on the needs of your music, Music Glue might be an interesting option. But beware – the 10% commission fees can add up quickly.
3. Wix ($156 - $468)
Wix is a platform similar to Squarespace but allows for a bit more customization. Featuring a simple drag-and-drop capability and premade templates specifically built for musicians, Wix is widely utilized by individuals with zero to limited website design knowledge. The platform offers a free package with limited capabilities and a generic Wix domain name, although this is not recommended for a band or musician (or anyone else) that plans on having their website professionally represent them. Wix paid packages, which include a custom domain and more robust features, range from $13-$39/month when paid annually ($156 – $468).
2. Bandzoogle ($99.48 - $199.56)
Bandzoogle is high atop our list because it is a website design platform built specifically for musicians. With over 100 different themes to pick between, Bandzoogle makes it easy to upload tracks, organize them by albums, and allow visitors to stream music directly through the website. The platform also features a drag-and-drop capability that allows for simple, albeit quite limited, customizations without any coding knowledge required. Bandzoogle offers three packages, ranging in price from $8.29-$16.63/month when billed annually ($99.48 – $199.56).
1. Professional Website Design Service ($1,999 +)
For any band or artist that wishes to invest in a beautiful website which they can be proud of and that will help to grow their fan base, hiring a professional may seem like a no-brainer. Professional website designers, specifically those who focus on websites for musicians, can make a drastic difference in causing your website to stand out and include all the capabilities and customizations that you desire. The issue with hiring a professional website design service, however, always comes down to the cost. Many designers, whether consultants or large companies, charge thousands of dollars to build a website. Depending on how widespread your music currently is, this may not be feasible. So, while this is undoubtedly the best option in terms of website quality, it is important to determine what will fit within your budget.
If you’re searching for a state-of-the-art website to represent your music at an affordable cost, send us a note today and we will be in touch within 24 hours.
If you’re searching for a state-of-the-art website to represent your music at an affordable cost, send us a note today and we will be in touch within 24 hours.
