Kyle Boreing
Jul 30, 2010
Observations
Artist Websites Review
After spending the last several weeks buried in HTML, CSS, PHP, and every other web programming code, I decided to take a break and browse through some artist websites to see how my site measures up in comparison. Many artists seem to have gone all out with their design, including Flash designs, custom menus, and interactivity, while others feel a bit more slapped together, most likely by a group member who has some experience with Microsoft FrontPage.
What are some of your favorite artist websites to visit? Do you go to learn more about them? Are you looking for tour dates, or perhaps to purchase product online? Also, what appeals to you most about those websites? What makes you want to come back for repeat visits?
Below are a few that stand out, either good or bad, during my browsing experience.
www.erniesigsound.com – Sure, it’s easy to plaster on t-shirts, but unless you know exactly what you’re looking for, erniesigsound.com is a bit too abbreviated for my liking. I can understand why, though, because to spell out the entire group name (and trying to figure out if the URL uses “&” or “and”), I’ll take this shortcut. Its current incarnation is very simple to navigate-crisp, clean, and includes every possible piece of information about Signature Sound you could imagine without being over-ridden with bells and whistles. There is just enough pizazz to keep visitors interested without driving them away. They DO go a bit overboard on the disclaimers, though (just make sure you don’t use anything from their site without express written permission). Designed by Music City Networks
www.brianfreeandassurance.com – On the other end of the URL length spectrum, this is another site that has a very crisp design, and unlike EHSS, also includes an “Extras” section where fans can download wallpaper for their desktops. The only confusing section is the “Music” area, which also doubles as the store. While I can definitely understand the logic behind it, it can also make finding the online shop a bit troublesome. Also, I am NOT a fan of automatic music players, especially ones that are very small and not easy to turn off immediately. Designed by Music Media Graphics.
www.legacyfive.com – Big on presentation, a bit rough to navigate. The website opens up with a Flash design that fades into a group photo; it’s a nice touch, but also takes up a good portion of the site. You can’t even reach a navigation menu unless you scroll down, something that I feel is a no-no. When someone accesses a website, I think they should be able to immediately see what the website has to offer. Gotta give them props, though, for doing something different. Designed by Ex Nihilo Graphics
www.guypenrod.com – You can tell right away that Guy’s site was done by the same guys who did Ernie’s; the basic design is very similar, with a few slight changes here and there. You’ll easily notice the same “widgets” on the right-hand side. Still very easy to navigate, although Guy’s site a bit more sparse, given that he only has one project to promote. Designed by Music City Networks
www.goldcityqt.com – The first design I saw for goldcityqt.com back in 2000 was designed, if I remember correctly, by Danny Riley himself while he was still doing sound for the group. It’s had several facelifts over the years, but when the Great Gold City Shakeup of 2009 took place, their website took a back seat. Though it’s been “under construction” for a good portion of 2010, Gold City’s current site is a refreshing change of pace. Like L5, there is a Flash opener with photos that take up a good section of the website; unlike L5, they wisely have the menu at the top of the site. Granted, there is still a bit of work left to be done, but the lack of continuous updates takes the site out of the running for repeat visits, at least for now. To their credit, however, GC has been taking advantage of their Twitter and Facebook accounts to keep fans up to date. Hopefully, the final product should be quite enjoyable and smooth. Designed by Allens Design Group
www.gaither.com – Yes, I’m gonna tackle King Bill’s online home. Originally conceived as “Gaithernet,s ” an online community you had to pay to join, Gaither.com has evolved into, for better or worse, an online hybrid of their mail-order catalog and Homecoming Magazine. When you first access the site, you get a rotating news block, as well as a headlines listing to the right. Props again to putting the nav menu at the top. The rest of the site, however, is pretty much a bombardment of ads for Homecoming artists. Designed by Spring House Productions (?)
Any others??
