People often find a new song they like and want more. So they go to the artist’s website. But instead of finding a simple “Buy Tickets” button, they land on a flashy page that takes forever to load. There might be weird floating shapes. One shape might even play a loud sound when touched. This is not fun. Fans just want to know when and where the next show is. If they can’t find it, they leave.
This happens because many musicians try too hard to make the website “artistic” and forget about making it easy to use. Big names like Kanye West can get away with that. Their fans will keep looking no matter what. But newer artists do not have that chance. They need clean websites that help fans stay, buy, and support them.
Let’s look at five common design problems—and how to fix them.
1. The “Too Cool to Navigate” Problem
Some artists treat their website like an art show. Instead of using clear menu words like “Tour” or “Music,” they add strange icons like triangles or eyes. So the visitor doesn’t know what to click. They guess. On phones, this gets even worse. There’s no way to hover over a button to see what it means. Tapping a random shape can take them somewhere they didn’t want to go.
This makes people feel tired. It adds stress. Fans may leave before they ever hear a song or see a tour date.
How to fix it:
- Keep the menu simple.
- Use easy words like “Live,” “Shop,” or “Listen.”
- Let the style come from the fonts and colors, not the words.
- Make it fun, not confusing.
If someone wants to buy a hoodie, they should find that button in two seconds.a
2. The Autoplay Music Problem
Even in 2026, some websites start playing music or videos the second they open. This happens with no warning. It’s one of the worst things a site can do. Think about someone on the bus or at work. Suddenly, loud music starts blasting. They panic and shut the page.
The result? That visitor is gone. They are not impressed. They are embarrassed.
Better plan:
- Keep videos muted by default.
- Put a clear “Play” button on the page.
- Or use a small “Listen Now” bar at the bottom.
Let fans choose when to hear your music. When they press play on their own, they listen longer and feel more connected.
3. Tour Dates Should Not Be a Puzzle
For many artists, shows bring in the most money. So, tour info should be front and center. But often, it’s hidden in a blog post. Or it’s just a poster image that can’t be clicked. Some people zoom in to read it. Others just give up.
Some even go to Ticketmaster on their own and search. That’s too many steps.
Smart fix:
- Use tools like Bandsintown or Songkick.
- Put them right on the homepage or on a “Live” page.
- These tools show nearby shows first.
Every date should have its own “Tickets” button that goes straight to checkout. No need for extra clicks. If a fan wants to go, help them get there fast.
4. Big Sites That Break on Mobile
Many older websites were made for big computers. They have full-screen videos and fancy effects. They look great on a big screen. But on phones, things fall apart. Text covers images. Buttons are too small. The site takes forever to load.
This is a big problem. Over half of all website visits come from phones now. Fans check sites while walking or waiting in line. If the site doesn’t work fast on mobile, they move on.
Fix this by:
- Designing for phones first.
- Keeping buttons big and close to where a thumb can tap.
- Using light images, not giant videos, for mobile views.
This way, pages open fast, and fans can find what they need with one hand.
5. Sending Visitors Away Too Fast
Many artist websites are just a landing page with big icons for Instagram, YouTube, or Spotify. When someone clicks one, they leave the site. Now the artist has no control. The fan might get distracted by other posts or videos. They may not come back.
This is a waste. The artist pays for that website. It should help grow their own fanbase, not feed someone else’s.
The better move:
- Make email or text sign-up the first thing people see.
- Don’t just write “Join Newsletter.” Offer something.
- Say “Get early access to tickets” or “Get a free demo.”
Artists own their websites. They don’t own Instagram or TikTok. So the main goal should be keeping fans there, not sending them away.
Summary: Build for Fans, Not for Egos
At the end of the day, every website choice should answer one thing: “Does this help the fan get what they want?”
Bad design makes things hard to find. It plays loud music too soon. It hides tour dates. It only works on big screens. And it pushes fans to social apps.
Good design makes things clear and easy. It shows what matters most—like show dates and merch. It works on phones. And it helps the artist keep in touch with fans directly.
Artists don’t need a website that wins a fancy design award. They need a site that works. When a site respects a fan’s time, it helps the artist sell more tickets, grow their list, and build their career.
Simple works. Always.