How to Build a Killer Music Website: Essential Pages Every Artist Needs

Sara M
Jul 7
6 min read

Updated: Jul 17

This guest blog article is provided by Sara M. Thanks Sara!

Essential pages every Artist needs — Image provided freely by: https://www.freepik.com/

So you’re ready to build your music website? That’s awesome!

A killer website isn’t just a "nice to have", it’s essential. Whether you're an indie singer-songwriter, a DJ, or in a death metal band that screams about space cats, your online presence matters. You’ve probably got your music on Spotify, YouTube, maybe TikTok, and that’s great. But none of those platforms are fully yours. Your website is the one place you completely control. It’s your digital home.

But before you start hacking away at a template or signing up for that flashy “easy builder,” hold up. Let’s talk about the pages you really need and the mistakes that kill most DIY artist websites faster than you can say "loading spinner."

This guide will walk you through the must-have pages for your site, what to put on each one, and how to avoid the traps that leave many music sites looking like a haunted MySpace graveyard.

Why a Music Website Still Matters in 2025

Look, I get it. Social media is shiny. You can go viral overnight (well, maybe). But you don’t own Instagram. Or Spotify. Or even your YouTube subscribers. One algorithm tweak and poof, you’re buried under memes and mukbangs.

A website is your fortress. Your music, your merch, your tour dates, your branding, your rules.

And bonus: You can collect emails, sell directly, and impress industry folks who actually still check websites to see if you’re serious.

The 7 Essential Pages Every Artist Website Needs

Let’s break it down. These are the must-haves, the non-negotiables, the pages that make your website sing.

1. Home Page – Your First Impression (Make It Count)

Think of this like the album opener. It sets the tone. When someone hits your homepage, they should know who you are, what you sound like, and what you want them to do.

Your homepage should have:

● A striking photo or video at the top

● A short, punchy bio or tagline (like “Lo-fi synthwave from the edge of the galaxy”)

● A play button or embedded song/video (don’t make them dig)

● Clear navigation (we’ll get to those pages next)

● A call-to-action (join your mailing list, listen to your EP, watch your latest video)

Avoid this mistake: Too much clutter. Don’t throw everything on your homepage. Think of it like a teaser trailer not the full movie.

2. About Page – Tell Your Story (Without Boring People to Death)

Here’s where people get stuck. Either they write nothing, or they write a college thesis on how they got into punk rock in 5th grade.

Let’s keep it real.

Tips for your About Page:

● Write in the first person if you’re a solo act. Third person if you’ve got a team or want that press-kit vibe.

● Tell a story, not a résumé. Share what inspires you, your journey, your sound.

● Sprinkle in accomplishments without sounding like a robot (“Opened for XYZ,” “Featured on BBC Radio 1,” etc.)

● Include a press quote if you’ve got one.

Avoid this mistake: Using jargon or cliches like “music has always been my passion.” Duh. You're a musician. Instead, share something specific and memorable.

3. Music Page – The Star of the Show

Your music page should be easy to find and quick to load. This is where people listen, watch, and fall in love with your sound.

What to include:

● A clean embedded player (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, SoundCloud whatever your audience uses most)

● Option to buy/download your music directly or through Bandcamp

● Links to all streaming platforms

● A featured video if visuals are a big part of your brand

Avoid this mistake: Don’t auto-play music. Please. Nothing scares away new fans like surprise dubstep at full volume at 2am.

4. Tour / Shows Page – Make It Easy to Catch You Live

Whether you play five gigs a year or fifty, your shows page matters. A fan who’s actually clicking this page wants to see you IRL.

Include:

● Upcoming tour dates with venues, cities, and links to buy tickets

● A simple layout (date - city - venue - ticket link)

● Past shows (if you’re not touring yet) to show experience

Avoid this mistake: Letting this page sit empty for months. If you're not touring, say so. Or invite people to join your list to get notified about future shows.

5. Media / Press Kit Page – For Bookers, Journalists, Labels

This is a secret weapon most artists forget. Having a clean EPK (Electronic Press Kit) page makes you look legit and saves time when a podcast or venue asks for info.

Include:

● High-res photos (promo shots, live shots)

● Short + long bio versions

● A tech rider if you’re touring

● Embed your best tracks or videos

● Contact info or link to download a ZIP press kit

Avoid this mistake: Making journalists dig. Don’t hide your press info deep under five tabs. Make it obvious.

6. Store / Merch Page – Make That Bread

You don’t have to be Beyoncé to sell merch. Fans want to support you and give them an easy way to do it.

Include:

● Simple product photos (shirts, vinyl, stickers, whatever)

● Easy-to-use checkout system (Shopify, BigCartel, or integrated through your website builder)

● Limited edition drops or bundles to create hype

Avoid this mistake: Selling five items with five different fonts and colors. Keep your visual brand consistent.

7. Contact Page – Don’t Be a Mystery

Make it stupid simple for people to reach out.

Include:

● A contact form

● Optional: links to your socials

● Optional: booking email or press contact if you have a manager or agent

Avoid this mistake: Burying your email under a vague “Get in Touch” button in the footer. People will bounce. Fast.

Bonus: Blog or Updates Page – Stay Human

This isn’t essential, but it’s a nice touch. Post behind-the-scenes updates, release announcements, or even thoughts about your favorite albums.

A blog shows you're active. Plus, it can help with Google rankings (if you care about SEO).

The Dark Side of DIY Music Websites

(And How to Not Fall Into the Pit of Doom)

So maybe you’re doing this yourself. Props to you.

But DIY websites can go from a passion project to chaotic mess real quick. Here’s what to avoid:

1. Overdesigning

You found a template with fire animations, floating buttons, spinning vinyls and you used all of it. Cool for 2004. Not now.

Keep it clean. Choose one or two fonts, a color palette that reflects your vibe, and resist the temptation to use every widget on Earth.

2. Neglecting Mobile

Half (probably more) of your fans are visiting your site on their phones. If your site takes forever to load or the buttons are microscopic, they’ll bounce.

Check everything on your phone buttons, music players, and the merch store. Make sure it all works smoothly.

3. Forgetting to Update

Dead tour pages. Broken links. Last post from 2021.

Your site isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it thing. Even if you’re not updating weekly, check in monthly. Keep it fresh.

4. No Call-to-Action

You’ve got fans on your site. What do you want them to do? Download your single? Join your email list? Buy a shirt?

Be specific. One clear ask per page.

5. Free Platforms That Limit You

Sure, Wix or Bandzoogle or even Linktree might seem easy. But watch for limits on SEO, storage, design freedom, or even loading speed.

If you can, go for your own domain and host your site on a trusted platform like WordPress + a reliable builder (like Elementor or Breakdance).

Oh, and speaking of weird stuff... I once saw a band site hosted by sanitairllc, a company that does air duct cleaning. No joke. Turns out they reused the domain. Don't be that band.