Does your cover band have a website? (Poll)

[DoctorZee]

I’m curious to hear what sort of online presence your cover bands have. Mine was just getting off the ground when COVID hit, but managed to play a small handful of gigs in 2020, so we have some assets. We’re on Facebook and Instagram, and I’m wondering if a simple website would be worth a small investment.

 

[ArtechnikA]

For a long time, one of my bands' official website was its ReverbNation page. One just used its FaceBook page, which I thought a mistake but it wasn't my call...
My current (although dormant) 'big' project has a website, a FB page, a ReverbNation page, and a profile on SonicBids.
I believe promoters/bookers for larger events may take you more seriously if you have a 'real' website. For sure, you have more control over posting photographs, video of crowds having a good time, audio files and such. If I had to pick only one, it would probably be ReverbNation (at the 'basic' $100/yr level) which gives you mailing list and social media integration and on-demand EPK generation. We need the SonicBid page because there's a big festival that's tied to a promoter that's tied to SonicBids and if you're not there, you're not getting in. So obviously that was a big waste last year, but they've promised to hold over the membership until this year's festival... FB is a bit of a PITA but it's free and lots of people in our target demographic are there. This is key. Know where your customers are, and be there for them.

 

[buldog5151bass]

A real website is worth it. It looks more professional, and makes it easy when dealing with venue owners or other booker - just give them the site address, and they get recordings, videos and photos, all contact info, gig calendar, etc.

 

[JRA]

i'm with ArtechnikA and buldog5151bass .

i think a .com (or .net., or whatever) website on the www has distinct advantages even if you're not selling anything but an idea. also: selling merchandise from a website is pretty easy (if you have customers/demand).

during the plague, however: it's been easier for both bands to engage and keep that 'idea' alive by posting and advertising on FB. the website will have more value when owners/agents are back, doing their bit.

good advice, here:

Know where your customers are, and be there for them.

per the OP ---
in one band: the website exists to 'verify and affirm' --- it's like a big signpost. "we're great and we're worth some attention!"
the other band: same, except the band actually gets business from the "contact us" page...maybe 50% comes from the website!

good luck with your advertising and maketing, OP!

 

[ArtechnikA]

A real website is worth it. It looks more professional, and makes it easy when dealing with venue owners or other booker - just give them the site address, and they get recordings, videos and photos, all contact info, gig calendar, etc.

Thanks for reminding me of this key point too:
Content in a real site is MUCH MORE LIKELY to be indexed and therefore findable in web searches.
Especially if you're clever about using appropriate keywords in your <META> tags.
People may be unlikely to remember and type in your URL, but if they can websearch and find you, you're in.

 

[butterfingers1]

Last time I had playmates computers didn’t exist (sorry, what can I say).

 

[john_g]

In a similar situation...my cover band finally got rolling when COVID hit and all our gigs in 2020 were cancelled. I always make a website but hadnt yet because we were using facebook mostly. Im a graphic designer who primarily designs websites so its my job, but was using FB more. I feel it is more pro looking to have a nice site, but it seemed like most places check out social media more when scoping out new bands for their venues. Once things get back to normal (fingers crossed) Ill get a nice looking site up though too.

 

[bikeplate]

Yes

 

[filmtex]

Can you say MySpace.com? Unless YOU own the domain, THEY own your stuff. Get a real website too.

 

[wmhill]

We did for several years- a full waste of money. Social media has been much better and consistent.

 

[joelns]

Not in a band right now. But next time, definitely a website. Some photos, maybe a few YouTube videos. Slick, professional, with a solid band/musician background, social media links, and contact us section. It's nothing more than a sign hanging on the wall. But it's validation that the band is a real entity.

Once that's up, marketing moves on to social media. Video clips, posts of "see us play here". Engagement with folks that post. Etc. Social media then becomes the marketing outlet.

 

[John Sparkman]

Yes, website only.

Helps to have a website for when the 'old people's high school reunion committee' wants to check us out and hear some of our stuff.

Link Removed

 

[LBS-bass]

I’m curious to hear how what sort of online presence your cover bands have. Mine was just getting off the ground when COVID hit, but managed to play a small handful of gigs in 2020. We’re on Facebook and Instagram, and I’m wondering if a simple website would be worth a small investment.

IMO, no. You can do whatever you need with the presence you've described. Nobody in this day and age goes looking for a dedicated band website unless that band is huge. For a cover band, not worth it. People searching for you are going to search on Facebook. Sorry, but it's true.

That said, I did put together a dedicated page for my band, and it gets very little traffic. It never gets updated because all the social media and event announcements happened through our Facebook page. The reality is that's where the audience is.

 

[Renaissance]

I think a standalone website is beneficial if you can do it yourself (or with minor expense). If you had to pay someone to build and maintain your site it could get expensive quickly. It probably wouldn't pay for itself unless it brought you a lot of business.

I like the website because I can put everything needed on the site and leave it there. You need a stage plot? Here's the link to download it. You need promo photos? Here's the link - download what you need. I also send out a link for a small questionnaire on the website when I forward a show. It asks basic questions like - any roads closed because of the festival?, best access?, stage manager contact day of?, etc. When they fill out the form it gets sent to a spreadsheet that I print out as a form to give everyone day of show. Owning your domain name also gives you the ability to have your own email - [email protected]. I've taken the blog off our website but I used to post to the website and then just share the post to FB to tie the two together.

We get some traffic on the website but not much until we're getting close to a scheduled show. People go to the website to check us out and the numbers go up.

We use FB also because it is a popular tool. I've never really cared for FB myself but sometimes you just dance with the devil 'cause you have to!

I almost forgot another benefit of hosting our own site. I set up an addon domain (free) and built a website (free) just for the band. I record rehearsals and shows and put them on the band website for everyone to listen to or download. I also have the original songs (we're a tribute) and the lyrics for everyone on the site. Easy access!

We had a town mayor address the audience and introduce the band before a show once and she called us a similar - but wrong - name. That became the unofficial band site name! LOL!

 

[57pbass]

We have both and the band manager want all members to post shows daily on social media. It’s almost a mandate.
It has proven to be very successful for us since we consistently draw big crowds. This parlays into more and better work and larger venues.

 

[StudioGC]

It takes some real time, effort and money to get it right. Took us 4 years. But with the right content you can charge more and get better gigs. The better gigs you get, the better content you can get on the website, social media etc.

Also pays to get on a site such as Poptop (UK based only?). We've now had a few reviews and gigs through them and now are one of the top bands that come up when searching for "best London 60's cover bands".

 

[juancaminos]

We had a website but ditched it when FB rook off.

 

[Bassamatic]

Website, FB page, Twitter page, YouTube channel, and more. Almost no one would book us without checking these out and seeing past shows - we video all our shows and try to keep all the sites updated (Not much lately .)

 

[LowActionHero]

We're mostly a cover band, with a few originals mixed in.
We talked about making a website a few years ago, but for now we're on Social Media only. I'd probably make one if I could get it hosted for free, too many expenses already.

 

[QORC]

yes, a website and an FB page. I doubt very many go to the website, except for prospective booking clients