Any self respecting band has a website - a Myspace band page is not a bad way to communicate with your fan base (if you have fans), but there’s a lot of stuff you can do with a real website that you can’t achieve on Myspace. For instance, you could set up a mailing list and capture the details of your prospective fans by offering them a free download of one of your tracks. Once you have their details, you can let them know about all your upcoming events with a personalised and fully automated email system. Making a good first impression is also important and you don’t have to spend a fortune on a web designer. If you can play a guitar or the keyboards, chances are you’re probably clever enough to set up your own website (just don’t leave it up to the drummer). Here’s how you can make your own band website in 5 simple steps without eating into your studio budget:

1) Decide on a band name. This band name generator is lots fun - I’ve decided on ‘Vagina Wrath Of The Drastic Lunch‘, but I’m sure you can find something with more marketing nous….

2) Register your domain with Moniker - vaginawrathofthedrasticlunch.com (or whatever you’ve decided to call your band). Set up your name servers to point to your new host… (Moniker support can help you out with this - just email support@moniker.com after you setup your account).

3) PAIR - world class web hosting. A basic account is only $9.95 a month, which should be fine until you become and moderately successful pushing your traffic through the roof.

4) Post a job on Rentacoder - post a bid request and find someone to put your website together on the cheap. Give them your band info, files (including any music you want hosted, your server access details, band photos, etc). Explain that you have a template already and that they don’t need to design anything - you should be able to find someone in Romania, India or the Philippines to put your band website together for about $75 (up to $125 depending on modifications to the template and the number of pages you want on your site).

5) While you are waiting for bid requests to come in (from people bidding to complete your work), check out some of the Flash band website templates that we found on Template Monster and some other sites (below - Free & Paid). Find one that suits your style, and then upload the zip file package to the coder who is working on your website (step 4). If you’re highly organised, you should be able to get your band website up and running in under 2 days for less than $200.

1. Rock Your Bones

This Flash Site Template has a smooth rocking style to it with colors that pop out at you. If your band plays rock or alternative music then this template is certainly worth taking a look at. PRICE: $68

DEMO / DOWNLOAD

2. Feeling Funky

This is a really nice looking flash template, and it also happens to be free! I really like the easy to navigate layout, plus spotlights in the top part of the flash add a nice superstar-like quality to the website. It may not have all the bells and whistles you are looking for, but the template is highly customizable. FREE

DEMO / DOWNLOAD

3. Totally Chic

This Flash Site Template is perfect for any girl band out there looking to get stylish website going. The colors are bright, the site is easy to navigate, and the music is smooth. What else would you want for you and your fellow chics? PRICE: $60

DEMO / DOWNLOAD

4. Simplistic Style

This particular Flash Site Template wasn’t really made for a band, but can certainly work as a band website by simpy customizing it a bit. The layout is clean and simple, and on a major positive it loads really fast for all visitors. All you have to do is add band pictures and information then you are good to go! FREE

DEMO / DOWNLOAD

5. Put the Hip in HipHop

Keep the flow going on your website with this hip new hiphop flash template. This site is simple, yet packs enough of a punch to please you and your fans. You can easily add important information like your tour dates and album releases. PRICE: $69

DEMO / DOWNLOAD

6. Keep It Mellow

Bask in the ambience of this calming Flash Site Template. It’s simple, yet has no problems giving your band an awesome presence. This template is pretty versatile and can be used for your techno, rock, or alternative band. PRICE: $67
DEMO / DOWNLOAD

7. Retro

I like this Flash template because it has a really cool look to it. You are able to add all the information about the band, etc. but you can also allow visitors to sign up for your bands newsletter. This is a great way to keep them informed and coming back to the site often. Plus, who can resist the cute little dog in the bottom right of the template? PRICE: $64
DEMO / DOWNLOAD

8. Theres No Alternative To This

If you have an Alternative band then this is the flash website template for you. The animation effects are great and the colors match perfectly to any Alternative band’s style. One of my favorite qualities of this template has to be the navigation menu. The picture doesn’t do it justice because you have to see it in action, so check it out on the following link. PRICE: $67
DEMO / DOWNLOAD

9. Be Different

This Flash site template adds a unique look to your website. I have truly never seen a design like this before. The rotating navigational menu is really cool, and the rest of the template keeps a nice flow going. It’s very user friendly for your visitors, and I am sure they will bookmark a site that looks this good. PRICE: $69
DEMO / DOWNLOAD

10. Style For a Mile

This Flash site template is great for any techno or dance music band. The template immediately gets you moving with the intro music…plus the overall design is extremely inviting. A great benefit of using this template is that there is a section specifically for selling tickets online, and a downloads section as well. This is a great way to get your music out there! PRICE: $67
DEMO / DOWNLOAD

11. Full of Flavor

The title means what it says…this template is full of flavor. The smooth and cool animations give off a very stylish appearance. Although I think this template would best fit a HipHop band, it could really go for any genre as long as it fits your personality. PRICE: $63
DOWNLOAD / DEMO

12. Make It Metal

Is your band playing music that falls along the lines of old rock or heavy metal? No problem! Here’s the perfect template to represent you and your band in the right manner. You seriously can’t go wrong with this Flash Site. PRICE: $66
DEMO / DOWNLOAD