Website codes and conventions
- 2. Music Websites Websites are a great way for the band/artist to market and promote their music and also interact with their fans. Within these websites we can see a set of popular technical codes and types of content that are regularly used. The more depth and variety of content - the more likely the website will appeal to the target audience.
- 3. Purposes of a Music Website • To engage the target audience and allow them to learn more about the artist/band. • To allow the audience to keep up to date with upcoming releases, tour dates and general information. • To bring in more sales in terms of albums, concert tickets and merchandise. • Promote the record label and introduce the audience to other bands on the label of a similar style. • To access all multimedia such as new music videos, backstage/behind the scenes footage, images/photo-shoots and interviews with the artist. This may appeal to the audience as they will feel closer and more incorporated into the world of the artist.
- 4. Generic conventions of a music website • URL Bar and a suitable/fitting website name - most frequently the artist/band name! • Navigation/menu bar to search within the website • Information/About section. • A main background image for each page. • Multimedia content (images, embedded YouTube videos, links to social media webpages etc...) • Downloadable content - soundcloud links etc... • UGC (User generated content such as blogs, twitter feeds, forums etc...) • Hyperlinks (links to iTunes, Amazon etc...) • Store/merchandise links
- 5. BAND LOGO/MASTHEAD/BANNER The font is simple yet distinguishable to the band, they will usually use the same font for their band name on all of their merchandise and adverts. This iconography will appeal to the target audience. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS These are one of the first things we see - a great way to appeal to a modern audience who interact using these forms of media. A way for the record label to market the band and enable the audience to interact with them more and spread the word around. PREDOMINANT IMAGE The first thing the audience see’s. Must be a strong, eye catching photo to grip them. Usually of the band/artist performing or from a professional photo-shoot. The background on this homepage changes every few seconds - a technical code to keep the audience intrigued. Also may compete with other websites in the same genre as this one is quite interactive - it will stand out from the more more static websites. STYLE The style and colour choice of the website is representative of the band collectively. It demonstrates their genre and personalities - in this case the yellow may connote their energy and positivity which can be represented in their performances. LAYOUT The layout is simple easy to navigate. This is generic of most music websites as if they are confusing and too complex, then the audience could become uninterested. The marketing and layout of the website is key. LINKS These are clearly labeled and in a colour that works well with the background as they stand out and are easy to read. They link to multimedia, merchandise, information/news and event dates. These are the main features on a music website and are vital to include in yours. GENRE The genre is evident through the bands photos and image - we can clearly distinguish that the genre is that of rock/pop rather than R&B or Hip Hop. The font may also demonstrate this as well as the colour choice and style.
- 6. NEWS TOUR DATES MUSIC PHOTOS VIDEOS CHARITY STORE
- 7. WESBITE SYNERGY Synergy amongst the band/artist website and other products/content is highly popular and a very effective technique for the audience to remember their ‘brand’ and iconography. It’s also an effective marketing tool. Synergy is evident in these examples between the website background and the artists latest single - this is conveyed in terms of font, colour scheme and image.
- 8. WEBSITE RESEARCH TASK - BLOG POST 1 Create a PowerPoint/Prezi/Glogster etc... on the main technical codes and content you are likely to see on a band/artist website. Note down why each of these elements are important.
- 9. WEBSITE RESEARCH TASK - BLOG POST 2 Choose a minimum of 5 band/artist websites from the genre you will be creating your video for. You must analyze these in terms of: Content - what do you see/what pages and links are there and why have they included them? Technical codes - discuss moving images/audio content etc... How does it fit the genre codes and conventions? Genre (discuss how the website fits the genre and how it may appeal to the target audience) Style - colour, layout, images, font etc... Why have they used these choices? Purpose - what is the main purpose of the website and do you think it has achieved this? Navigation - can you navigate easily? If not, why? Will any of these elements influence your website? Does the website use synergy? Screenshot and annotate creatively!