Artist Web Sites

1
Artist Web Sites

• Archie Warnock
• warnock_at_awcubed.com
• http//www.awcubed.com

2
Summary and Checklist

• Get a dialup provider
• Get your domain name
• Get a hosting service
• Design your site
• Gather materials
• Build your site
• Maintain your site

3
Get a Dialup Provider

• Your connection to the Internet
• Dialup is probably adequate - AOL, MSN, Erols,
  many others
• If you are doing your own design and maintenance,
  faster is better
• Where your email usually winds up
• Do you need access from the road?

4
Get Your Domain Name

• On the Web www.yourband.com
• Email band_at_yourband.com
• How to choose?
• Many good names are taken
• Memorable
• Short
• How about www.desotoband.com?

5
Get a Hosting Service

• Where your web site lives
• Where your e-mail is handled
• Not necessarily your dial-up provider
• Ads in Internet World, other trade journals for
  Web2010, FrontHost,...
• 10/month (10 - 50 Mb) to 50/month or more,
  depending on storage and service requirements -
  it wont hurt to start simple

6
Design Your Site - Mandatory

• You should (at least) provide
• General Introduction
• Contact Information
• Whos In The Band
• Appearance Calendar
• with maps from MapQuest, others
• Recordings

7
Design Your Site - Advanced Options

• Digital music downloads
• Videos
• Netcasting
• Online ordering, with credit cards
• Online features and specials
• Personal web sites, other projects
• Chat rooms, email lists

8
Gather Materials

• Write your copy, or have it written
• Scan of your recording artwork
• Graphics design - do your own, or contract it out
• Dont be cheap - this is your face to the world

9
Build Your Site

• Good editing tools are not expensive (under 100)
• FrontPage, DreamWeaver, HomeSite
• If you keep your site simple, tools can be
  simple, too
• Test, test, test - make sure everything works
• Publish to your site

10
Maintain Your Site

• Dont build a cobweb site
• Band sites are largely static
• Only the calendar has to be changed regularly
• Occasional changes - new recordings, personnel
  changes, special gigs
• Keep backups!