Website Analysis

The purpose of a website for a band is to generate new fans and engage the existing ones. It also promotes the artist and constructs and consolidates a brand identity. There are several things that appear on artist's websites, they normally include:

• Latest news
• Tours/events/show dates
• social network links
• behind the scenes
• online store/merchandise
• pictures, videos, podcasts and music
• biography, the story of the band
• community forum
• mailing list/newsletter system

This is the first thing you see when you go onto Bruno Mars' website. It has the navigation bar on the side, where it is clearly visible, and doesn't follow the typical style of a normal website, eg, navigation bar at the top underneath a title. It has a whole background of a shot from the 'uptown funk' song, and has a play button where you can hear the song, and places where it is available to buy. As you scroll down, there are updates, and more pictures that cover the background. There has been other songs available to download, and he also has an online shop, to buy merchandise. There is a page for tour dates, pictures and also a discussion forum, where fans engage with each other. There is also links to social media sites under the navigation bar. You can tell that this is of the pop genre because of the bright colours used, and the over exaggerated looks on the picture.

This website is very similar to Bruno Mars' site. The first thing you see is a picture of the band, and making their new single apparent. A navigation bar isn't visible on this, you have to scroll down then an icon appears in the corner.  As you scroll down, there are things like tour dates, with a video of the band playing live in the background. There is also a shop available for fans to buy merchandise. They advertise their new album as well. They make the genre apparent by also using bright colours, and the way they dress adds to this, and some of the photos also.