The Best Way to Build a Website for Artists, Musicians, Bands, and DJs

Building a website is one of the smartest moves for any music artist today. Social media profiles and streaming platforms are great, but nothing beats having your own website as a hub for all your content. It’s your digital home where you control the vibe, collect fan info, sell merch, and showcase everything about your music. In this article, we’ll explore the best music website builder options out there – comparing Loop Fans, Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Komi, Linktree, and Bandzoogle – to help you find the right fit. We’ll also highlight the must-have elements of a great musician website (and why they matter for fan engagement, data collection, and direct sales). By the end, you’ll know how to build a music website that stands out from all music websites out there and turns curious visitors into superfans.

Quick note: Here we’re focused on website builders for promoting your music (not to be confused with music making websites or music creating websites that help you create music). The goal is to create an artist website that promotes your work – whether you’re a rapper, rocker, DJ, or producer. So if you’re wondering “how do I create a website for free to upload my music and share it?”, read on!

Loop Fans – Best All-in-One Free Platform for Musicians

Loop Fans is a newer entrant that’s built specifically for music artists and labels. It combines an easy artist website creator with fan engagement and monetization tools. Loop Fans stands out because it offers a free plan (so you can get started at no cost) and very affordable paid tiers. Essentially, it’s aiming to be an all-in-one hub for independent artist websites, going beyond just a webpage.

Pricing: You can sign up and start building for free. The paid plans are budget-friendly – the Basic plan is only about $3/month (launch pricing) which makes it feel like a free musician website option​ (music.loop.fans). On that Basic tier, Loop Fans takes a small 12% commission on sales (higher-tier plans have lower commissions). There’s no big upfront cost, which is great for an independent musician on a budget. Essentially, you can have a professional site for the cost of a coffee each month, which is cheaper than most best free music websites (many of which aren’t truly free or lack features).

Features & Customization: Loop Fans is tailored for music needs. You get a selection of music-themed templates and a simple drag-and-drop editor, so building your site is quick even if you’ve never made a website before​ (music.loop.fans). You can customize your pages, add an about/bio, photo galleries, embed videos, and of course a music player. Because it’s purpose-built as a website builder for artists, all the sections are things you’ll actually use – no fluff. Want to add your latest single? There’s a music section for that. Need an events list for your gigs? It’s got it. It even lets you use your Loop Fans page as a link-in-bio (with a special layout for mobile) – so one site can double as your main website and the link hub on your Instagram/TikTok.

E-commerce and Fan Engagement: This is where Loop Fans really shines. It has built-in e-commerce tools to sell music, merch, or tickets directly to fans​. Upload your tracks or albums (and optionally sell downloads or vinyl), list your merch (t-shirts, etc.), or link tickets for your shows – all within your site. Fans can purchase right there, and Loop Fans handles the transactions (minus that commission on Basic). Moreover, it includes community features: fans can sign up as members of your site, and you get access to their contact info in a fan database​. On the Basic plan you can have up to 100 fan contacts (higher plans increase this). This means you’re collecting fan data (emails, etc.) as people sign up – super valuable for later promotion. You can even post exclusive updates for fans or send them messages; it’s like having a mini fan club or Patreon built into your website​. Loop Fans is also web3-ready: if you dabble in NFTs or digital collectibles, the platform supports that (you could offer an NFT collectible to your superfans). Essentially, Loop Fans isn’t just a website – it’s a community hub where you can engage your fans directly and turn casual visitors into a loyal audience.

Why Loop Fans? If you want more than just a static page, Loop Fans is an ideal choice. It’s perfect for artists who want to own their audience data, build a fan community, and sell direct-to-fan – without paying a lot. The fact that there’s a free option lowers the barrier to get started. You can have a slick, mobile-friendly site up in minutes and gradually make it as feature-rich as you need. For an independent musician, it offers an all-in-one solution (site + store + fan club). In short, Loop Fans delivers an outstanding package for those seeking “all music websites” features under one roof, and it’s already being used by notable artists (for example, DJ BLOND:ISH has her official site on Loop Fans). It’s definitely one of the best free music website builders to try if you’re serious about growing your fanbase.

Squarespace – Polished Designs and Robust Features (Great for Visuals)

Squarespace is a big name in website building, known for its beautiful design templates. It’s not exclusively for music, but many artists use Squarespace because of its sleek, professional look. If you want your site to have a high-end vibe like some of the best music artist websites, Squarespace is worth a look. (Think of those modern, visually striking artist websites – Squarespace can likely achieve that feel.)

Pricing: Squarespace doesn’t have a free plan (just a 14-day free trial). Paid plans start around $16/month (Personal plan) and go up to $23/month (Business) and above for Commerce plans. The Personal plan lets you have a pretty full-featured site (good for a music artists website with galleries, music embeds, etc.), but to sell products or take donations, you’d need at least the Business plan (which allows e-commerce, with a small transaction fee) or the Commerce plan (no Squarespace transaction fees). They also offer an addon for Member Areas if you want to create a paid fan club or subscription section. While it’s not the cheapest, you’re paying for reliability and polish. There are often promos for yearly signups, and they include a free custom domain for the first year on annual plans.

Customization: Squarespace excels at design customization within its templates. You start with a template (they have some specifically geared for musicians/bands or you can adapt any portfolio template). From there, you can tweak fonts, colors, layouts, and more using an intuitive style editor. You don’t need coding (though you can inject custom code if you want). The look you get with Squarespace templates is very professional and clean – great for showing off high-quality visuals. For example, you might use a big full-width image of your band on the homepage, with your logo and menu nicely overlaid. Squarespace templates are responsive, so your site will look good on mobile automatically. It might not be as free-form as Wix in terms of moving anything anywhere, but it provides a structured flexibility that ensures your site looks well-designed. For artists who want a visually impactful site without hiring a designer, Squarespace is a top choice. (In fact, one expert roundup rated Squarespace the best for musicians and bands due to its stylish templates and design tools​ (websitebuilderexpert.com.)

Music-Specific Features: While Squarespace is general-purpose, it does offer features that musicians need. You can add an Audio block to any page, which allows you to upload an MP3 and display a mini player – handy for featuring a track or two directly on your site​ (support.squarespace.com). There’s also integration with SoundCloud (you could embed a SoundCloud player if you prefer). Squarespace has a built-in events page type, which is perfect for listing your tour dates or upcoming shows. You can even connect a Bandsintown widget so that your shows update automatically​. For selling merch or music: the Commerce functionality lets you sell physical products (like vinyl, CDs, shirts) and digital products (like MP3 downloads or PDFs) once you’re on a Commerce plan. Many artists use Squarespace’s store to handle merch sales – it’s pretty straightforward and supports inventory, variants (sizes), etc. If you want to offer exclusive content like a fan club, Squarespace’s Member Areas feature (for an extra fee) can let you create members-only sections (for example, a page where only subscribers can download your new demo or see behind-the-scenes videos). Additionally, Squarespace offers SEO settings and marketing tools built-in (like email campaigns, though that costs extra) – useful to promote your site and music online.

Fan Data & Engagement: Squarespace provides basic site analytics (visitors, page views, etc.) on all plans, so you can see how many people visit your site. For collecting fan data, you can use a newsletter signup form on Squarespace (it can integrate directly with Mailchimp or Squarespace’s own Email Campaigns system). This way, you can build an email list even though Squarespace itself doesn’t have a full CRM on the basic level. It’s not as musician-centric in this department as Loop Fans or Bandzoogle (which explicitly help manage fan clubs), but you can achieve the basics: have a contact form or mailing list form to capture emails. As for engagement, you’d typically update a blog or news page with updates (Squarespace has a blog feature), and you can embed social media feeds or auto-post your blog updates to your socials.

Bottom Line: Squarespace is ideal if you prioritize design and a professional-looking site that can impress industry folks (press, venue promoters, etc.) at first glance. It’s like having a designer build your site – the templates take care of the heavy lifting on aesthetics. It has all the essential features to make a solid music artist website (audio, video, events, merch). The main trade-off is cost (no free plan) and that it’s not as hyper-focused on music as some other platforms – but it’s a tried-and-true choice for many musicians. If you want a site that could sit among the best music artist websites in terms of looks, Squarespace will get you there. Just remember to make use of those integration options (like adding your music players and social links) so that it’s not just a pretty site, but also a functional hub for fans.

Wix – Extremely Flexible Website Builder with Music Apps

Wix is another hugely popular website builder and a strong option for musicians, bands, or DJs who want creative freedom. Wix is known for its drag-and-drop editor which lets you design your site pretty much however you want. For a music artist, this means you can really inject your personality into the site – whether that’s a gritty vibe for a rap music website or a flashy animated background for a DJ’s page. Wix also has a dedicated Wix Music module which makes it easy to showcase and even sell your music. And importantly, Wix offers a free plan, making it a friendly choice if you’re just starting out and want a free musician website initially.

Pricing: Wix’s base use is free – you can create a site on a Wix subdomain (e.g. yourname.wixsite.com/yourband) without paying. The free plan lets you use all the design features and even Wix’s music player, but it does show Wix ads and you can’t use a custom domain. To get rid of those and use yourname.com, you’ll need a paid plan. The Combo plan (~$16/mo) is usually the entry to no-ads and custom domain. If you plan to sell stuff (music or merch) directly on the site via Wix’s e-commerce, you’ll need a Business/Ecommerce plan, which starts around $27/mo​. However, note that Wix doesn’t take a commission on music sales even on lower plans if you use the Wix Music player for selling tracks – you keep 100% (minus payment processing)​. That’s a nice perk: for example, you can upload your album and sell downloads through the Wix Music app, and Wix won’t cut into that revenue (whereas some music platforms do take a percentage). Just keep in mind that to process payments (to actually charge a credit card), you eventually have to be on a paid plan that supports e-commerce. Many musicians might start free to get the design right, then upgrade when they’re ready to launch the custom domain or store.

Customization & Ease of Use: Wix is often praised (and sometimes cursed) for how much design freedom it gives. You can start from hundreds of templates – they have 900+ templates, including many specifically made for music, bands, DJs, etc.​ (music.loop.fans). These templates are great starting points: for example, a band template might come preloaded with a homepage that has a big background image, a music player widget, a tour dates section, and a contact form. You can use it as-is and just swap in your content, or you can move things around, add new sections, whatever. With the Wix Editor, you can drag elements anywhere on the page (it’s not strictly locked into rows like Squarespace). This means you can create a truly unique layout – but you have to be careful to make it still look good on all devices. Wix does have tools to help with mobile design separately. For artists, this flexibility means if you have a strong visual brand, you can implement it. Want a graffiti background for your hip hop music website? Easy. Want to use a funky custom cursor or animated text? Wix likely has an option. They even have an AI site builder (Wix ADI) where you answer a few questions and it generates a site for you – useful if you need a quick start, which you can then edit. Overall, even if you’re not tech-savvy, Wix is user-friendly – you don’t need to code, just drag, drop, and type. It’s considered one of the best website builder for musicians largely because of this flexibility and the specific music features available.

Music Features: Wix’s standout for musicians is the Wix Music app. This is a built-in feature (you add it from the Wix App Market) that lets you upload your music (single tracks, EPs, albums, playlists) to your site and present them with a clean player. You can configure the player’s look to match your site. Fans can stream the full tracks or previews (you control the settings), download tracks, and even buy them. You can set prices for downloads (and as mentioned, Wix doesn’t take a cut of your sales through this)​. The Wix Music app also provides stats – you can see plays, downloads, etc., which is cool for insight into what songs are popular. Beyond music, Wix has a ton of other widgets: you can embed Bandsintown or Songkick for tour dates, integrate Instagram galleries, video players, and more​. Essentially, Wix’s App Market is a treasure trove; if Wix itself doesn’t have a particular feature, a widget or third-party integration probably does. Want a fan feedback form or guestbook? There’s an app for that. Want to show your Spotify playlist? There’s an embed for that. This modularity makes Wix very powerful for creating independent artist websites that are as simple or as feature-packed as you want. You also have blogging capability (to post news or updates) and e-commerce (Wix Stores) for merch. Many musicians use Wix to create a full-fledged site that includes a homepage, music page, store, tour page, and a blog/news page.

Fan Data & Engagement: Wix allows you to capture leads and build a database via contact forms or newsletter signups. It has a built-in Contacts list (anyone who submits a form or buys something can be saved as a contact). If you add Wix’s Ascend (their suite of marketing tools – some free features, advanced ones paid), you can even send emails, set up automations, etc. While not music-specific, these are general business tools that artists can leverage (for instance, create an email popup that says “Join my mailing list for a free track”). Wix also provides analytics on site visitors and has SEO tools to help your site be found. One thing to note: since Wix is not exclusively music-focused, it’s up to you to actively use these tools to engage fans (unlike Loop Fans which nudges you to treat fans as community members). But you can embed things like a Mailchimp signup form or use Wix’s own email marketing to keep in touch with fans. Also, Wix recently introduced some social/community features where you could have members on your site (with a members area), though configuring that might take more effort. Still, for most, a simple mailing list and good content will do the job.

Pros and Cons: To summarize, pros of Wix are its flexibility, large template selection, and no commissions on music sales (plus robust features like galleries, blogs, etc. that make a well-rounded site)​. It’s also pretty good with SEO for a site builder, so fans can Google you and find your site. The cons include the fact that the free plan is limited (your site will have Wix branding, which isn’t ideal long-term). Also, having so much freedom in design can be overwhelming – some users end up with a messy site if they’re not careful to maintain consistency. And if you do want to sell stuff, you will need to upgrade to a paid plan eventually, so completely free forever is not realistic if you’re aiming to grow (though you can definitely build and publish a decent free musician website on Wix as a starting point). All in all, Wix is a fantastic option for making a music website, especially if you want to unleash your creativity and have a site that doesn’t look cookie-cutter. It’s used by countless bands and artists, from hip hop to rock to EDM, because it’s so adaptable to any style.

WordPress – Ultimate Flexibility and Scalability (Great for Content-Heavy Sites)

WordPress comes in two flavors: WordPress.com (hosted service) and WordPress.org (self-hosted). For this discussion, we’re mainly talking about WordPress.com as a website builder for artists, since it offers a free plan and is more analogous to the other platforms. WordPress is the powerhouse behind 40% of the web, including many band and artist sites. It’s known for its blogging capabilities and plugins. If you’re someone who wants a lot of control, potentially blog a lot, or build out a more complex website in the future, WordPress is like a blank canvas (or rather, a very flexible framework). Many of the best musician websites that have extensive content run on WordPress, because it can handle everything from a simple one-page site to a sprawling official website with multiple sections.

Pricing: WordPress.com has a free plan that lets you create a site on a wordpress.com subdomain (yourname.wordpress.com). This free tier gives you 1 GB of space and basic features – enough to make a simple music artist website with a few pages and blog posts. The free plan does show a small WordPress ad in the footer and you can’t use plugins or custom themes, but it’s truly free forever. Paid plans start at ~$4/month (Personal) which remove ads and allow a custom domain, and then $8/month (Premium) which adds more design customization and the ability to upload audio files (important for musicians!), and around $25/month (Business) which really opens the floodgates by allowing custom plugins and themes. With the Premium plan, you can use an Audio Player block to host your own tracks on the site (without it, on free, you’d rely on external embeds). With Business or higher, you could even install specialized music plugins or a full WooCommerce store. So, WordPress can be free, but to unlock its full potential for music (like selling directly or using fancy players), you might need an upgrade. One nice thing: WordPress.com plans often include generous bandwidth and sometimes email forwarding, etc., and Business includes removing the WordPress branding entirely.

Customization: Out of the box, WordPress offers a range of themes (templates) to choose from. There are themes geared toward bands, photographers, bloggers, etc. Once you pick a theme, you can customize it via the Customizer (change colors, fonts, upload your logo, etc.). WordPress uses a block editor now (Gutenberg) for content, which means when you create pages or posts, you can insert blocks for paragraphs, images, embeds, galleries, etc. It’s quite user-friendly once you get used to it – more like building a page from content blocks rather than dragging arbitrary elements. Without coding, you might be a bit more constrained by the theme’s layout compared to something like Wix, but there are thousands of themes so you can likely find one that fits your aesthetic: whether that’s edgy, minimal, grungy, or glossy. If you have some tech skills (or are willing to learn), WordPress.com Business lets you install custom themes and even do custom CSS, meaning you can achieve any look imaginable. But many users just pick a nice theme and stick largely to its design. WordPress’s design strength is really apparent in content presentation – for example, if you want a site that has a blog/news section for regular updates, a discography page, a lyrics section, etc., WordPress handles a large site structure well. You can create as many pages as you want, organize them in menus, even create submenus (e.g., under “Music” have sub-pages for each album). That’s something some simpler builders might struggle with if you go very content-heavy. Essentially, WordPress can scale with you: start with a one-page site, and later grow it into a full-fledged official site with dozens of pages if needed.

Music and Band Features: By default, WordPress doesn’t come with specific music players or event lists – you add those via plugins or embeds. On WordPress.com Free/Premium, you can’t add plugins, but you can embed external widgets easily. For instance, you can paste a Spotify album link or a SoundCloud track link and WordPress will auto-embed a player for it​. That means even on a free plan, you could showcase your music by using those external services. Many artists simply embed a Spotify playlist or a Bandcamp player on their site. If you do upgrade to a plan that allows it (Business), you could install plugins for music players or use WooCommerce to sell music/merch. But if that’s not an option, you might use a workaround like linking to Bandcamp for sales (some artists use WordPress for the main site and just link out to a Bandcamp store or use a Buy button). WordPress excels at content organization, so you can have a great music website that contains not just a homepage and music, but also an EPK page, a lyrics blog, a fan forum, etc., if you wanted. For example, WordPress themes like "Tracks" or "Audioman" (just naming similar ones) often provide sections for discography and such, or you can repurpose portfolio/gallery features to show album covers that link to detail pages.

Fan Data & Engagement: WordPress (especially the self-hosted route) can be extended with newsletter plugins, contact form plugins (like Contact Form 7), etc., to collect fan info. On WordPress.com, you have a built-in subscription feature for blog followers – people can follow your blog and get emails when you post a new update. That’s one way to keep fans engaged: encourage them to hit the “Follow” button (if you’re on WordPress.com) so they get your news. However, that system is mostly other WordPress users. A more direct approach is embedding a newsletter signup form (e.g., Mailchimp form code) on your site – which WordPress.com allows via HTML block. You won’t have the integrated CRM like Bandzoogle or Loop Fans unless you piece it together with external tools. Analytics-wise, WordPress.com gives you site stats (views, visitors, referrers) which is nice to see how your traffic is doing. If on Business plan, you can use Google Analytics as well. For engagement, one cool thing is the blog/comment system – if you like the idea of writing tour diaries or posting album progress updates, WordPress is the king of blogging. Fans can even leave comments (you can moderate them). This can create a sense of community if you have dedicated readers. It’s more old-school compared to social media, but a dedicated fan might love leaving a comment on your “New Song Coming Soon!” post. It’s worth noting that a lot of music production website blogs (like producers who blog about their process) rely on WordPress because of how well it handles articles and SEO for them. So if part of your strategy is content marketing or sharing knowledge, WordPress is great.

When to Choose WordPress: If you foresee needing a scalable, customizable website that can grow with your career, WordPress is a top contender. It’s not the most plug-and-play for music out of the box – you’ll be doing a bit more legwork to integrate music players or commerce – but the trade-off is you get immense power. Also, WordPress can be moved to different hosts or exported, meaning you truly own your site in the long run. Many artists might actually combine WordPress with other tools: e.g., use WordPress for the main site and embed a linktree style page or a smart link for their latest release, etc. But WordPress can also be that all-in-one if configured. For a beginner, the free plan is a nice start (costs nothing, low risk). The learning curve is moderate – not as visual as Wix, but not requiring coding either. With a bit of time, you can definitely create a musician website that looks professional on WordPress (there are plenty of artist website examples using WordPress to draw inspiration from). And whenever you need more features, an upgrade or plugin can likely provide it. To summarize: WordPress = freedom and room to grow. If you want a quick one-pager with zero effort, maybe use Wix or Loop Fans; but if you want a site you can deeply customize over time and maybe run a robust blog or store, WordPress is fantastic. Plus, it’s free to start, so it’s an attractive answer to “how do I create a website for free?” – you really can create a music website for free with WordPress, and upgrade only when you want your own domain or advanced features.

Komi – A Premium “Link-in-Bio” Hub with Website-Like Features

Komi is a bit different from the others on this list. It’s more of a personalized landing page or “mini-site” platform, primarily used by creators, influencers, and yes, musicians (especially those who have lots of things to promote in one place). Think of Komi as a supercharged link-in-bio tool – like Linktree on steroids with a slick design. If you don’t need a multi-page website and instead want a one-stop page that has all your content, links, and even built-in monetization, Komi could be an option. Many big names (from musicians like Lizzo to actors like Idris Elba) have used Komi for their official link pages​. For an independent artist, Komi can serve as a modern web presence that’s always up-to-date with your latest releases, videos, tour dates, etc., all in one flashy page.

Pricing: Komi is a premium service – there is no permanent free tier (currently it’s invite-only or request access, with a free trial available). The subscription starts around $10 per month (roughly £8 in the UK)​. Some sources note plans starting at $15.99/month, but Komi has indicated a basic “Starter” plan around $8-10 as well. In any case, expect to pay in that ballpark monthly. This is more expensive than a simple Linktree, but Komi markets itself as an all-in-one toolkit (website + e-commerce + email marketing in one). For comparison, paying $10/month for Komi is still less than many full website builders’ plans (and Komi argues that creators would otherwise need multiple subscriptions for website, email tools, etc. – they pitch the value of combining those)​. There’s a 14-day free trial so you can test it out. So unlike something like Wix or WordPress, you can’t stay free long-term on Komi – it’s a premium product aimed at serious creators who are willing to invest a bit each month for a polished hub.

Design & Customization: Komi provides a fully customizable landing page. You won’t be coding it, but you will choose from their layouts and themes. It’s more customizable than Linktree in that you can really brand it to match your style (background images or videos, custom sections, etc.), but it’s not as open-ended as building a site from scratch. The idea is to be quick and effortless – Komi even says it’s for people who want a professional online hub without the hassle of maintaining a full website​. You can include sections on your Komi page for different content: for example, a music section that showcases your latest single (with maybe an embedded Spotify or YouTube snippet), a merch section with buy buttons, an events section with your tour dates, a bio/about section, and all your social links. The end result is one page that a fan can scroll through to find everything. It’s like a one-page website dedicated to you. The design tends to be modern and clean – Komi pages look like pro designer landing pages, with smooth layouts. They also allow some level of personalization like fonts, colors, and arrangement of blocks. A big plus is that Komi pages are optimized for mobile (since they expect a lot of traffic from Instagram/TikTok bios). So you can trust that your Komi will look good on a phone by default. In short, customization is there but within a structured framework – you won’t worry about messing up the layout, because Komi keeps it elegant for you.

E-Commerce & Monetization: Komi’s tagline is having an “all-in-one solution” for creators. So beyond just links, it includes ways to monetize your content directly on the page. For musicians, this could mean you can sell digital products (maybe an exclusive track, a PDF zine, or tickets) or even physical merch via Komi. They advertise 0% commission on digital product sales – meaning if you sell a song or a piece of content through your Komi page, they don’t take a cut (your subscription covers it)​. They integrate with Shopify for physical products too, and other platforms. For example, you might embed your Shopify merch store or link it and still keep a cohesive look. Komi also supports things like affiliate links (if you have sponsorships) and presumably things like paid meet-and-greet bookings or lessons if that’s something you do. Essentially, fans can buy or book things straight from your Komi page with a smooth one-click checkout​. That’s a big advantage over a basic link list, which would just send people elsewhere. With Komi, you might have, say, your new album for sale as a download – a fan clicks and purchases right on the page without being redirected all over. This direct-to-fan sales capability is in line with what an artist website should do (enable fans to support you easily). Additionally, Komi includes analytics and fan data tools: you can see how many people are visiting, clicking, buying, etc., and capture their emails/phone through forms if you want​. It even has an email/SMS marketing component, so you could send newsletters or updates to fans who opt in, directly from Komi’s platform. This means Komi can function not just as your mini-website, but also as a mini-CRM for your fanbase (up to certain limits on contacts depending on plan).

Music-Specific and Integrations: While Komi isn’t music-only, it clearly has musicians in mind. It integrates with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, Twitch, Shopify, Bandsintown and more​. So you can embed a Spotify player of your album, show a YouTube music video, list your upcoming gigs via Bandsintown, all on the one page. If you have a podcast or other content, those can go there too. The idea is to bring all your disparate online presences into one branded hub. For a fan, a Komi page might feel like a mini website – they can scroll and interact with different sections. But they never have to load a new page or tab; it’s all right there. This is great for keeping attention – especially on mobile, clicking around multiple pages can lose some users, but a single-page experience keeps them engaged longer. For example, a fan clicks your bio link on Instagram, lands on your Komi page: first they see a big banner about your new single with a “Listen Now” button, below that they see tour dates with a “Tickets” button, below that maybe a mailing list sign-up, then your merch items with buy buttons, and finally links to your socials. They might accomplish multiple actions (listen, buy, subscribe) in one visit, which is a win for you.

When to Use Komi: If you’re an artist who is very active on social media and wants a central hub without building a full website, Komi is appealing. It’s especially useful if you have a lot of things to promote at once – it prevents the problem of having to choose one link for your bio. Instead of juggling a separate website, store platform, and email tool, Komi bundles those. The downsides: it’s not free and it’s a one-page experience (so not ideal if you wanted to, say, have a detailed blog or multiple pages of content like a lyrics library). It’s also currently somewhat exclusive (invite or request-based) because they position themselves as a premium product for serious creators. But they have been expanding access. Komi vs. Linktree: Komi is like the premium version of Linktree for musicians – better design, more features (like direct sales and data capture). In fact, one comparison noted that unlike basic link-in-bio tools that just list links, “Komi provides a richer experience with customizable themes, advanced analytics, and seamless integrations”​. That sums it up: it’s meant to enhance your online presence more than a simple list of links would. So, if your goal is to have something up quickly that looks slick and lets fans do everything from streaming your songs to buying your merch in one place, and you don’t mind the monthly fee, Komi could be the best website builder for musicians of the “Instagram generation.” It’s perhaps not a traditional “website” in the multi-page sense, but in today’s mobile-centric world, it might be the only website you’ll ever need (as their marketing suggests).

Linktree – Quick and Simple Link Hub (Great as a Supplement)

Linktree is the OG link-in-bio tool and is included here because many musicians use it either as their primary web presence or alongside an official site. Linktree is essentially a micro-website that lists all your important links. While it’s not a full website builder with multiple pages, it’s worth comparing because for some artists (especially those heavy on social media promotion), a Linktree can serve as a lightweight website alternative. It’s extremely easy to set up and free to use at the basic level, which makes it attractive for emerging artists who need something now and free. That said, it’s also fairly limited in functionality compared to the other platforms, so think of Linktree as a handy tool rather than a comprehensive solution.

Pricing: Linktree has a free plan (forever free) which actually offers a decent amount: unlimited links, some basic themes, social icons, etc. You can do a surprising amount without paying, which is why it’s so popular (millions of users). They also have paid tiers: Starter ($5/month), Pro ($9/month), and a higher Premium (~$24/month) for advanced users​. Most musicians who pay go for the Pro at $9, which unlocks more customization (like custom backgrounds, removing Linktree branding), more analytics, and features like email signup integration. The free plan will include the Linktree logo and a limited choice of design styles. But importantly, it allows unlimited links, so you can list as many things as you want (some other free bio link tools limit the number of links). Given that cost structure, Linktree is the best free option if all you need is a simple page with your links (it literally is one of the best free music websites you can get in terms of immediacy, though it’s not a full website). You might ask, if you’re considering paying for Linktree, would you be better off with something like Komi or a cheap website plan? That depends on what you need – Pro Linktree at $9 is still cheaper than most full website builders’ $16+ plans and might suffice if you still don’t want to build a site but want more than basic.

Customization & Features: With Linktree, simplicity is the name of the game. You’ll have a single page (your Linktree) which typically has a profile picture or logo, an optional bio or description, and then a list of buttons/links. You can style it to a degree – choose background color or a preset theme (free options are limited but you can pick a color or simple pattern). If you pay, you can use custom backgrounds (even animated or video backgrounds on higher plans), custom button styles, etc. But even at its fanciest, a Linktree is basically a vertical stack of content blocks optimized for mobile viewing. Linktree has added some cool features over time: you can embed a music player for a featured song (e.g., a Spotify embed) directly visible, you can embed a YouTube video, or even an email signup box (on paid plans)​. The free version now even allows you to accept payments/donations through something called Support Me or Commerce Links, which is neat – for example, you could take a tip or sell a single item (Linktree integrates with PayPal, etc., for that). But these are more like add-ons; the main focus is linking out.

A typical musician’s Linktree might have: one button to your latest single (“Listen to NewSong here”), which could itself be a smart link leading to multiple streaming services, a button to your YouTube channel, one to your merch store, one to upcoming tour dates (maybe linking Bandsintown or Songkick), and links to your social media or press kit. You can also group links or add a thumbnail image to them on Pro, making it look nicer. Linktree recently introduced Link Apps and other integrations (like embedding your TikTok feed or a Bandsintown schedule directly). Still, the content is basically all on that one page.

Fan Data & Analytics: On the free Linktree, you do get some basic analytics – you can see how many people clicked each link, etc., over limited time frames. Paid plans give you more detailed analytics (like click-through rates, geographic data) and the ability to collect email addresses or phone numbers directly on the Linktree (they call these Signup Links, which can integrate with Mailchimp or Google Sheets)​. For example, you could have a link that says “Join my mailing list” and it will actually let the user enter their email right there, adding it to your Mailchimp list – that’s a pretty powerful feature for musicians wanting to grab fan emails without a full site. However, that’s not on the free tier. Free users could always just put a link to a signup page elsewhere. Linktree Premium even offers a built-in email/SMS sending to those collected contacts, but at that point you might consider if a proper website or dedicated CRM might be better. The key is, Linktree is minimal friction: someone clicks it, and they see all your content links immediately without hunting around a website menu.

Use Cases: Many artists use Linktree in conjunction with an official site. For instance, you might have “yourband.com” as your main site, but on Instagram you still use a Linktree because it’s fast for fans to tap and see everything. Alternatively, if you’re just starting out and don’t have the time or content for a full website, a Linktree can act as an online business card. It won’t really convey a lot of personality beyond a profile pic and maybe a short intro, but it ensures no fan is lost – wherever they want to go (Spotify, YouTube, merch, etc.), they can get there from your Linktree. It’s essentially a navigation tool for all your online presence. One could argue a Linktree alone isn’t the best music promotion website because it’s not rich in content, but it excels at routing fans to the right destinations, which is a key part of promotion.

Because Linktree is so common, fans kind of know what to expect when they click one – a simple list to choose from. The drawback is it’s not unique; a lot of Linktrees look alike (unless heavily customized on paid plans). Also, you miss out on having your own domain (though you can sort of mask a Linktree behind a custom domain on Premium). From an SEO perspective, a Linktree isn’t great – it won’t rank high for searches about you as well as your own website could. It’s really a tool for social media conversion rather than discovery.

In Summary: Linktree is a fast, free, no-fuss solution to get an online landing page. It’s not going to replace a full website if you need one (for example, you wouldn’t host your band’s photo gallery or detailed bio on Linktree – you’d just link to a press kit or about page elsewhere). But if you’re an artist thinking “I need something now, and I’ll worry about a full site later,” Linktree is a good starting point. And even long-term, using Linktree (or similar) alongside your main site can be strategic: you could put your website link on your socials, but maybe you want to highlight multiple things at once (new video + ticket link + store) – a Linktree is great for that. Just remember, the goal eventually is to get fans to places where you can engage them deeper (like your actual website or your mailing list). Linktree is like a signpost that directs them. Many up-and-coming hip hop artists, for instance, rely on a Linktree because they primarily engage fans via Instagram/SoundCloud and haven’t needed a full site yet. It works for them because it answers the immediate question of “where can I hear your music?” with quick links.

For the purposes of this comparison: Loop Fans vs Komi vs Linktree, etc., Linktree is the most lightweight. It’s not an “artist website creator” in the robust sense; it’s more a utility. But it’s so prevalent in the music world that it’s worth noting. And hey, it’s free – so it’s one tool every artist can utilize right away. In combination with one of the other builders (which might host your actual content and store), Linktree can drive traffic there. Just don’t stop at Linktree forever – as your career grows, you’ll likely want a more immersive website experience for your fans.

Bandzoogle – Made by and for Musicians (All-in-One Classic Choice)

Bandzoogle is a veteran platform in the music website space. If you ask around for the best website builder for bands, Bandzoogle often comes up, and for good reason. It was created by musicians with the specific needs of bands, singers, DJs, and producers in mind. Bandzoogle offers an all-in-one package: you get a website builder, hosting, a custom domain, and a suite of music tools (streaming, sales, mailing list, etc.) all for one subscription. It’s been around for nearly two decades, and is used by tens of thousands of artists. Unlike Wix or Squarespace, which cater to all kinds of websites, Bandzoogle is laser-focused on music, which means a lot of the decisions and features are tailor-made for you as an artist.

Pricing: Bandzoogle is not free (after the 30-day free trial). They have tiered plans: Lite around $9.95/month (or ~$8.29/mo if paid annually), Standard around $14.95/mo, and Pro ~$19.95/mo​. These plans differ in how many pages you can have, how many songs/photos you can upload, and which advanced features are included. Importantly, all plans include a free custom domain name (e.g., yourband.com) and hosting​, which adds value because normally you’d pay ~$15/year for a domain separately elsewhere. Also, Bandzoogle never takes a commission on your sales – you keep 100% of music, merch, ticket, or subscription sales​. This is a big deal for your income. For instance, if you sell $500 of merch on Bandzoogle, you get that $500 (minus standard PayPal/Stripe fees), whereas on some platforms they might take a cut. The monthly fee is all you pay to Bandzoogle. The Standard and Pro plans unlock more goodies: e.g., Standard lets you have more pages and fan subscription (membership) feature, Pro lets you have unlimited content, custom report tools, etc. Lite is good for a basic site (few pages, limited tracks). Most serious users go Standard or Pro to get unlimited pages and all features. Overall, Bandzoogle’s pricing is very reasonable considering it’s your web hosting, site builder, and fan outreach platform in one. It’s often cited as a very cost-effective solution for what you get​.

Templates & Customization: Bandzoogle offers a variety of mobile-responsive templates that are specifically designed for music websites. That means when you choose a theme, it likely already has a look suitable for a band or artist (with cool font choices, a prominent header image, etc.). You can then customize these templates: upload your own header images or video backgrounds, change colors, fonts, and rearrange layout options. It’s not as free-form as Wix – you don’t drag things pixel-by-pixel. Instead, you choose what sections to have and maybe pick from preset layout options for each section. This actually helps ensure the design stays cohesive and professional (great if you’re not a design expert). For example, you might pick the "Mercury" theme and then customize it with your album art and set a dark color scheme to match your vibe. The builder interface is user-friendly: you add pages (Home, Music, Shows, Store, Contact, etc. as you wish) and on each page you can insert features like a music player, a gallery, a text section, etc. Bandzoogle handles the layout automatically in a clean way. You can typically switch templates at any time and your content will adapt to the new design (so you’re not locked in if you want to refresh the look). The designs have improved over the years and many artist websites examples built with Bandzoogle look really professional, as noted by users​. They might not be as “fancy” or artsy as a custom-coded site or a Squarespace template, but they are modern and get the job done without any guesswork.

Built-in Music Features: This is where Bandzoogle really outshines generic builders. It comes packed with musician-specific features that you can add with a click. Some highlights:

• Music Player & Downloads: You can upload your tracks or albums and add a music player to your site for fans to stream. You can choose to offer them as free downloads, or set a price (or let fans set a price). Since Bandzoogle doesn’t take a cut, if you sell songs for download, you get all that revenue. The player can be configured to play 30-second samples or full tracks. You can also set up pre-orders for an album with instant gratification tracks, etc.

• Merch Store: There’s an integrated store feature where you can list physical merch (CDs, vinyl, t-shirts, etc.) or digital products (like PDFs or videos). It handles inventory tracking, variants (sizes, etc.), and checkout via Stripe or PayPal. Again, no commission taken. This essentially gives you a band merchandise website as part of your site – fans can shop directly.

• Tickets and Crowdfunding: You can sell tickets to your shows (especially useful for independent gigs or online concerts) and even run crowdfunding or fan funding campaigns using the built-in tools. For instance, you could raise funds for your next album right on your site.

• Mailing List: Bandzoogle includes a mailing list management tool​. You can collect email addresses via signup forms on your site, organize those contacts, and send newsletters directly from Bandzoogle. The number of subscribers might be limited by plan (e.g., Lite 1000, Standard 5000, Pro 15k or something along those lines). This saves you from needing a separate Mailchimp account unless your list grows huge. This is a big plus for collecting fan data – it’s built-in and easy.

  
  

• Gig Calendar: There’s a preset Events feature to list your upcoming shows. You can enter dates, venues, links to tickets, etc., and it will display nicely (and be exportable or subscribe-able via calendar feeds). Keeping your tour dates updated is straightforward.

• Fan Subscriptions (Memberships): On the Standard and Pro plans, you can enable a fan club subscription. This is similar to Patreon – fans can subscribe for a monthly fee (you can set different tiers) in exchange for exclusive content. Bandzoogle handles the recurring payments and you can mark certain pages or blog posts as “members-only” for those subscribers​. For example, you might have a $5/month tier where fans get an exclusive song download each month or behind-the-scenes videos. This feature can cultivate a loyal community and generate steady income from your superfans.

  
  

• EPK (Electronic Press Kit) Template: Bandzoogle provides a specific page template for an EPK​. This is clutch for artists who need a professional press kit to send to media or bookers. It has sections for your bio, high-res photos, music, videos, and contact info all on one page. Basically, you can create a polished press kit page in minutes, which is something many artists struggle to put together. (It’s also great for recording artist websites who want to impress industry folks.)

  
  

• SEO and Analytics: Bandzoogle sites allow you to set SEO meta tags for pages, and they have built-in analytics so you can see your traffic and sources. It’s not as in-depth as Google Analytics, but it covers the basics.

Everything above is integrated – you don’t need to stitch together multiple services. This integration is Bandzoogle’s strength: one platform to run your official website and fan outreach. In fact, MusicRadar specifically highlighted Bandzoogle’s plethora of musician-focused tools, like commission-free e-commerce and mailing list support, as a key advantage​.

Ease of Use: Bandzoogle is designed for non-techies. You don’t need to know any code. The interface for editing is menu-driven and WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). You add a section (like “Music”) and then upload songs, add a section “About” and type your bio, etc. It’s quite straightforward. If you’re coming from something like WordPress, Bandzoogle will feel simpler and more streamlined (but also less open-ended). If you’ve never made a site before, Bandzoogle’s support is known to be excellent and musician-friendly – they understand questions about music features, because that’s their focus. You can chat/email them and often get quick help from people who actually get what you’re trying to do (like “How do I set up my album pre-order?” – they’ll walk you through it). Bandzoogle basically aims to let you build a music website quickly that just works for promoting your music, so you can focus on music rather than web fiddling.

Pros: All-in-one convenience is the big pro. Domain, hosting, design, music players, store, mailing list – it’s all in one package​. And the no commission on sales means if you do well selling directly, you’re not losing a cut. The platform’s features like fan subscriptions and the mailing list give you powerful tools to engage fans without needing extra services​. It’s also tailored: you won’t be adding a “restaurant menu” or “real estate listings” on Bandzoogle – all features are relevant to musicians, which makes the interface uncluttered for our purposes. Another pro: you can create a pretty great musician website even if you start with little knowledge – many user testimonials talk about how professional their site looks and how it impresses fans and industry. Bandzoogle sites of course are mobile-friendly too.

Cons: The main con is that there’s no free plan long-term. After your free trial, you’ll need to subscribe to keep your site online​. So if you truly have zero budget, Bandzoogle might not be the one until you can allocate ~$100 a year (which, honestly, if you’re serious, is a worthy investment in your music career’s online presence). Also, while the templates are nice, they may not have the ultra-glossy or highly unique feel that a Squarespace or custom site might have. They’re certainly not ugly – just sometimes a bit formulaic. But you can often tweak them enough to have your own look. Bandzoogle also isn’t as flexible in design layout as something like Wix; you work within the template’s structure. For most artists that’s fine, but if you have a very specific wild design in mind, you might feel a bit constrained. That said, they have dozens of themes and the newer ones are quite modern. Finally, Bandzoogle is primarily for your web presence and fan interaction on-site – it doesn’t have an app platform like Wix’s app market, so integrations are more manual (e.g., you might embed a YouTube video by copying embed code, rather than an “app” for YouTube – but that’s not hard).

Verdict: Bandzoogle is an excellent choice for musicians who want a no-hassle, music-focused website solution. It’s particularly great for bands or solo artists who plan to sell music/merch and actively grow a fanbase (email list, memberships) because it provides all those tools neatly. If someone asks, “What’s the best website builder for musicians that does it all?” – Bandzoogle is often the answer. It was even described as a platform that can be “considered the best website builder for artists” in terms of being intuitive and loaded with artist-specific features​. The fact that it’s made by musicians means the company is continually adding features we care about (for example, they recently added integration with print-on-demand for merch, etc.). Many artists build their first site on Bandzoogle and stick with it for the long haul because it meets their needs and saves them time.

If you’re comparing to Loop Fans: Bandzoogle is more established and has very similar goals (empower artists to connect with fans and earn more). Both are great – Bandzoogle is a bit more mature feature-wise (especially with subscriptions and such), while Loop Fans is newer with a free plan approach and some modern community features. In any case, Bandzoogle has proven itself as a reliable platform for countless independent artist websites. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife designed for musicians – very handy!

Now that we’ve broken down each platform, let’s talk about what really makes an artist website effective. No matter which builder you choose, certain elements are crucial to include. These will help you engage visitors, collect their info for future updates, and ultimately turn your site into a hub of your music career.

Important Elements of a Music Artist Website (and Why They Matter)

Building a site is one thing – building a great music site is another. The best music artist websites have a mix of eye-catching design, up-to-date content, and interactive features that keep fans coming back. Here are the key elements you should include on your musician/band/DJ website and why they’re so important:

• A Clear, Branded Homepage: First impressions count. When someone lands on your site, they should instantly get who you are and what you do. Use a strong banner image or even a video clip of you performing. Put your name/logo prominently. Often a short tagline helps (“Indie Pop from NYC” or “Official site of DJ ___”). This immediately orients visitors. For example, a hip hop artist might have a bold graffiti-style background on their homepage to set the tone for a website for hip hop music, whereas a folk singer might use earthy colors and an acoustic guitar image. Tailor the look to your genre and personality. The goal is that your site’s vibe matches your music’s vibe – this creates a memorable brand image. Don’t clutter the homepage with every detail of your career; just hit the highlights (new album out now, next show date, etc.) and then provide navigation to other info. Simplicity and clarity make for great musician websites that feel welcoming rather than overwhelming.

• Music Player/Media Section: Your music needs to be front and center. After all, that’s why people are here – to hear your work. Include an embedded music player with your latest tracks or a popular song. This could be via a native player from your site builder or an embed from Spotify, SoundCloud, Bandcamp, etc. The key is a visitor shouldn’t have to go hunting to listen – it should be one click (or none if it autoplays, though autoplay can be risky). Perhaps your homepage has a “Listen” button that opens the player, or you have a dedicated Music page with all your tracks, lyrics, and buy links. Also embed music videos if you have them – a YouTube or Vimeo video of your single can grab attention. By making media readily available, you engage fans immediately – they’re more likely to stick around if they can groove to your song while browsing your site. For example, on a rap music website, you might showcase a music video at the top so fans can hit play and get hooked on your beats right away.

• Mailing List Sign-Up (Fan Data Collection): One of the most important parts of your site – even if less glamorous – is a way to collect fan contact info. Typically, this is done with a mailing list signup form. It might say “Join my newsletter for updates and a free song!” Offer an incentive if possible, like an exclusive track or discount code for merch, to encourage sign-ups​. Email is gold for musicians because you own that connection (unlike social media where algorithms control visibility). When you’re dropping a new single or announcing a tour, having a direct line to fans via email can drive those first-day streams or ticket sales. So, prominently place a signup box – could be on the homepage, and/or a dedicated “Subscribe” section. Some artists even use a popup (judiciously) to ask new visitors to join the fan club. Over time, this helps you build a database of your biggest supporters. Later, you can use this list to send newsletters, which keeps fans engaged and informed. This is exactly how you collect fan data and drive engagement on an ongoing basis. Platforms like Loop Fans or Bandzoogle have this baked in, but even if you’re on Wix or Squarespace, integrate something like Mailchimp. It’s worth it.

  
  

• Upcoming Shows/Tour Dates: If you perform live (or even livestream concerts), your site should have an Events or Tour section. List your upcoming shows with dates, venues, cities, and most importantly, a link to tickets. Many fans will come to your site specifically to see “are they touring near me?”. Keep it updated – nothing worse than a fan finding old dates from 2022, not knowing if you’re still active. If you currently don’t have shows, you can say “More shows coming soon, join the mailing list to be notified.” Once a show is past, either remove it or move it to a “Past shows” subpage or archive. Active tour info not only informs fans, it also serves as a promotional tool (your site becomes a one-stop place to buy tickets for your gigs). If you have a tour poster image, include that for flair. Some builders let you embed services like Bandsintown which auto-updates your dates. In any case, keep this section fresh. Driving fan engagement here is straightforward – fans see you’re active and may get excited to attend, and that’s a real-world engagement payoff from your website.

• Online Store (Merch & Music Sales): A crucial element for enabling direct-to-fan sales is a Store page. This is where you offer merchandise (t-shirts, hats, physical albums), digital downloads, or even special experiences (like meet-and-greet passes). Why have a store? Fans love to support artists they care about, and buying merch is both support for you and a way for them to feel connected (and literally wear your brand). Selling directly via your site often means you keep a bigger share of revenue (no middleman). Make sure your store is easy to find – put it in the main menu as “Shop” or “Store” (and consider also linking it on your homepage for new releases like “New Merch Out Now!”). Use high-quality photos of your items, and write descriptions. Even if you only have a couple items, it’s worth setting up. For example, even a band merchandise website with just two shirt designs can still generate income and promote your brand when fans wear those shirts. Also, include your music in the store if possible: maybe you sell vinyl or a USB of your album, or even digital downloads for those who want to support beyond streaming. If you’re using Bandzoogle or Loop Fans, these tools are built in; for others, you might link to an external store (like Big Cartel, Etsy, or Bandcamp) if needed. The key is not missing out on potential sales – if a visitor is excited about you, make it easy for them to directly support you right then and there on your site​.

  
  

• Photos and Videos Gallery: Visual content keeps fans engaged and tells your story. Have a Photos section or gallery with shots from concerts, promo shoots, behind-the-scenes, etc. People love to see images of their favorite artists – it humanizes you and also is just cool content to browse. Similarly, have a Videos section (or combined “Media”) where you embed your YouTube videos, live performance clips, interviews, etc. This essentially turns your website into a mini YouTube for your content, which can keep fans on-site longer. It also helps industry folks (media, booking agents) quickly gauge your visual aesthetic and stage presence. Make sure galleries are mobile-friendly (most site builders ensure this). Update the gallery occasionally with new images to keep it fresh – maybe after a tour, add an album of the best live shots. This shows that your career is active and gives fans reasons to check back. Also, from an engagement standpoint, fans might share those photos or videos, spreading the word (some sites let you have social share buttons on media). And if you have iconic images (like album cover art or live shots), featuring them on your site reinforces your branding.

• Biography/About Section: Every artist website should tell the visitor who you are. A well-written bio or About page is key, both for fans and press. This can be a short version on the homepage (“[Name] is a [Genre] [singer/producer] from [Location]...”) and a longer dedicated page with your story, achievements, influences, etc. For fans, it’s interesting to read about your journey. For industry, it’s essential info for writing articles or considering you for gigs. Make it engaging – not a dull resume, but a narrative. Include highlights like big shows played, awards, or notable collaborations. If writing isn’t your forte, even bullet points of key milestones can work, but narrative style is nicer. You can also include a press quote or two (“One of the best music websites for fresh indie rock” – XYZ Blog) on this page as a bit of social proof​. Keep your bio updated as you accomplish new things. Also, include a decent photo of you or the band on this page to put a face to the story. An artist website example of a good bio is often one that by the end makes the reader want to listen if they haven’t already – it should hype your music subtly by conveying your passion and uniqueness.

  
  

• Contact Information/EPK: Make it super easy for people to contact you or your team. This might be a Contact page with a form that sends you an email (you can set these up on most platforms), and/or just an email address written out. For example, “For booking, email [email protected]. For general inquiries, use the form below.” You might also list your social media handles here as alternate contact methods. If you have management or PR, list their contacts as well. The reason this is crucial: you never know if a venue booker or a journalist is visiting your site looking to reach out – don’t make them hunt. A clear contact method could mean the difference between getting an opportunity or not​. To avoid spam, some people use a format like name [at] domain.com instead of a mailto link. But a contact form solves that. Additionally, if you have an EPK page, link it or incorporate it here so industry folks can easily get all the info they need. Essentially, treat this part of your site as the professional handshake – it should be straightforward and functional.

  
  

• Social Media Links: While the website is your home base, you definitely want to link out to your active social profiles. Include the familiar icons (Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, etc.) in an obvious spot – usually the header or footer, or a dedicated section like “Connect with me”. Many templates have icon sets for this – you just plug in your profile URLs. This way, if a fan stumbles on your site first, they can easily go follow you on their preferred social platform​. It’s all about meeting fans where they like to hang out. Also, linking to these can grow your followers there, which is important for overall fan engagement. Some artists also embed social feeds on their site (like a live Instagram feed) – that can be cool to show recent posts, but a simple link does the job too. The integration of social media ensures your site complements the best websites music fans already use – streaming services and social apps​. In other words, your site funnels them to those platforms (and vice versa), creating an interconnected web of your online presence.

  
  

• News/Blog Updates: Keeping your site updated is key to fan engagement and SEO. Consider having a News or Blog section where you post updates. This doesn’t have to be super frequent, but posting when you have a new release, a tour announcement, a behind-the-scenes story from the studio, etc., can give fans a reason to visit the site regularly. Plus, from an SEO perspective, search engines like to see fresh content – it signals that the site is active, which can help you rank when people search your name. Even a short post like “Hey, just wanted to thank everyone for the great show last night in LA!” with a photo can humanize you and make fans smile. If blogging regularly is too much, at least update the news page with major items a few times a year. This also creates a nice archive of your career happenings. Make sure to share these posts to your social media to drive traffic back to your site (e.g., “Tour diary from Europe now up on the blog – check it out on my website.”). When people do come, they’ll see an active site rather than a stale one, which keeps them engaged​. An outdated site can turn fans away, thinking you’re inactive – you definitely don’t want that​.

  
  

• SEO Basics: While not a “visible” element, in building your site you should pay attention to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) so that people can find you. This means use your artist name in the page titles (most templates do, but check). Include relevant keywords in your bio and page content, like genre and location (“London rap artist”, “California punk band”) – this can help you appear in searches like “rap music website” or “independent artist websites in Los Angeles”. Also, when adding images, use alt text like “Photo of [Your Name] performing live”. These little things improve your site’s discoverability​. If you have a custom domain, that’s great for SEO and memorability – always better to have yourname.com on Google than a long subdomain. Many builders let you edit meta descriptions – take advantage of that to write a one-sentence description that will show up under your link in search results (e.g., “Official website of [Your Name] – [Genre] artist. New album Title out now. Tour dates, merch, music, and more.”). This not only helps search ranking but also clicks, as people see a relevant blurb. Good SEO practices will ensure that when someone searches your name or even something like “best musician websites [Your Name]” or “[Your Name] music”, your site pops up at the top, which is exactly what you want.

  
  

In essence, your artist website should be a hub that informs, engages, and converts. It informs new visitors about who you are (bio, press info), engages fans with music and visuals (players, videos, photos), and converts interest into action (sign up, follow, buy, contact). By covering all those bases, you create a site that’s not just an online flyer, but a dynamic tool in your music promotion arsenal. And remember, always keep it updated and double-check that everything works – broken links or outdated info can hurt credibility​. Set yourself a reminder maybe once a month to review the site briefly (test the music player, make sure the store checkout works, etc.). A smooth user experience will leave a great impression on your fans and industry visitors alike.

Conclusion: Choose the Platform that Fits You and Start Building

In today’s music world, having your own website is almost as important as having your instrument. It’s your space on the internet that isn’t subject to the whims of a social media algorithm – a place where fans, media, and industry can always find you and get the latest scoop. The good news is you don’t need to be a tech wizard or have a big budget to create one. As we’ve seen, there are plenty of options for the best website builder for musicians, from all-in-one specialized platforms like Loop Fans and Bandzoogle to versatile builders like Wix and Squarespace, to modern creator tools like Komi and link hubs like Linktree. Many of these offer free plans or trials and affordable upgrades, so there’s really no barrier to getting started.

Loop Fans stands out as a fantastic choice if you want a dedicated music platform with community features – and its free plan makes it extremely appealing for emerging artists on a tight budget. It’s a newer player, but it packs a lot of power for fan engagement. Wix and Squarespace are tried-and-true if you care about design and don’t mind paying a bit more for a general website builder (Wix even lets you start free and is often cited as the best free website builder for musicians due to its feature-rich free version​). Bandzoogle, on the other hand, is a veteran that offers arguably the most comprehensive set of music tools in one place (with no commissions taken, which in the long run could mean more money in your pocket). If your focus is just getting a quick page to link everything, Linktree (or its advanced cousin Komi) might be enough – though ideally, those work best in tandem with a full site. And WordPress is the go-to if you think you’ll expand your site heavily or want ultimate control (plus it’s another route to a free musician website if you use the .com free plan).

There’s no one-size-fits-all “best music artist website” platform – the best option is the one that fits your needs, technical comfort, and budget​. For some, that might be starting with Linktree and Instagram, and later graduating to a Loop Fans site when releases start rolling. For others, diving straight into a Squarespace or Bandzoogle might make sense to establish a strong official site early on. The key is to have something that fans can Google and find, and that gives you a way to capture their support (be it a mailing list sign-up or a merch sale).

One strategy is to take advantage of free trials and free plans to experiment​. You can literally try building a quick site on a couple of platforms to see which you prefer. Maybe build a sample on Wix (free), a trial on Bandzoogle, and sign up for Loop Fans, then compare how each one looks and feels. It costs nothing but time to experiment, and you’ll quickly discover which builder’s workflow and features click with you.

Remember, your website can and should grow with you. Start with a simple one-page site if that’s all you have content for. As you release more music, add a music page. As you start playing shows, add that tour page. As you get press coverage, create that EPK/press section. All the platforms we discussed allow for growth – you can add pages and sections easily. So don’t feel like you need a 10-page perfect site on day one. Even a basic page with your name, a bio, a photo, and a couple of links to your music is better than nothing to start. Then build it out over time.

In closing, building a music website is one of those things that can seem daunting but is absolutely doable and worth it. It’s an investment in your career’s foundation online. With the tips and platform breakdowns above, you have a roadmap. So choose a platform, sign up for that free trial or free plan, and get creative. In a short time, you’ll have a home on the web that can serve as the best music promotion website in your toolbox – a place where you can engage fans directly, share your art, sell your goods, and tell your story on your own terms​. Good luck, and happy website building!

Now go turn those visitors into superfans! :wink:

Resources

• Loop Fans – Official Site – Websites for Artists with fan engagement tools.

• Squarespace – Bands & Musicians Templates – Overview of Squarespace features for music websites.

• Wix Music – Info Page – Details on Wix’s music features (player, stats, sales).

• WordPress.com – Create a Free Website or Blog – Sign-up page for a free WordPress site.

• Komi – Ultimate Creator Toolkit – Komi’s official site describing features and pricing.

• Linktree Pricing FAQ – Breakdown of Linktree’s free and paid plans and features.

• Bandzoogle – Website Builder for Musicians – Official site of Bandzoogle with feature and pricing info.

• MusicRadar: Best website builders for musicians 2025 – Independent review of top musician website platforms.