Create a Stunning Website for Musicians and Bands
TL;DR:
- Start with an Entertainment template to highlight music and tour dates
- Upload songs directly or embed from SoundCloud to share your music
- Use Squarespace's commerce tools to sell band merchandise online
- Manage gigs and engage fans with events pages and social media integration
- Keep your site updated with fresh content to bring fans back
Choosing the Right Design
Start by selecting a template from Squarespace's Entertainment category. These templates are built to showcase your tracks, promote merchandise, and list upcoming tour dates.
Browse the Entertainment templates and pick one that matches your band's visual style. The template you choose sets the tone for how fans will experience your music online.
Sharing and Managing Your Music
You've got two main options for getting your music on your website:
Audio Blocks
Upload individual tracks directly to your site. You can customise how the audio player looks to match your site's design. This works well if you want full control over how your music is presented.
SoundCloud Blocks
Embed playlists or individual tracks from SoundCloud. Fans can listen without leaving your website, and you keep all the streaming benefits from SoundCloud's platform.
Marketing Your Music and Merchandise
Selling Merchandise
Squarespace's commerce tools work well for selling everything from t-shirts and posters to digital downloads and albums. Here's how to set up your store:
- Go to Commerce in your site settings
- Add your products with photos and descriptions
- Set up payment processing and shipping options
- Configure inventory tracking
Promoting Upcoming Gigs
Create an events page to list all your shows. Make your tour dates more visible by adding them to your homepage using summary blocks or calendar blocks.
You can also integrate Bandsintown to display live dates directly on your site, which keeps everything synced automatically.
Engaging With Fans
Email and Text Campaigns
Keep fans updated with Squarespace's Email Campaigns feature:
- Build mailing lists from your website visitors
- Send updates about new music and shows
- Design emails that match your brand
For instant updates, consider the EZ Text extension for text message alerts about last-minute show changes or ticket releases.
Social Media and Streaming Integration
Connect your site to your social media and streaming platforms:
- Add social media icons to your header or footer
- Use social links blocks for a dedicated social media section
- Link to your music on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services
FAQs
Can I sell my own merchandise on my Squarespace site?
Yes, use the commerce features to sell your band's merchandise directly through your website. You can handle everything from t-shirts to vinyl records.
Can I add playlists from SoundCloud to my site?
Absolutely. Use SoundCloud blocks to embed your playlists and tracks directly onto your Squarespace site.
How do I link my social media profiles to my website?
Add social media icons to your website's header or create a dedicated social links block to showcase all your profiles.
What's the best way to announce new shows?
Use your events page, email campaigns, and social media together. Post on social first, then send an email with more details and links to tickets.
Jargon Buster
Audio Blocks: Website sections where you can upload and play music files directly
SoundCloud Blocks: Tools to embed SoundCloud playlists and tracks on your site
Commerce Features: Squarespace's online store tools for selling products and managing orders
Bandsintown Block: Integration that displays your Bandsintown tour dates on your website
Email Campaigns: Squarespace's built-in email marketing tool for sending updates to subscribers
Wrap-up
Building a musician or band site on Squarespace gives you plenty of tools to engage with fans, showcase your music, and sell merchandise. The key is staying active and keeping your content fresh. Regular updates and fan interaction make the difference between a static website and a thriving online presence.
Ready to get started? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step guidance on building your music website.