Website Layout Planning - Planning for Webpage

When creating my website, I wanted to use elements from the websites I had researched as well as putting to use my new general understanding of music websites. There were various features of sites I had researched that heavily influenced my website, while other aspects I created myself, using my research as inspiration.

The homepage is incredibly simplistic, purposefully. I was heavily influenced by the website of Fleetwood Mac and I decided that a good, eye-catching first image to use is the band's logo on a simple coloured background. I chose a pastel colour scheme, as I felt it was calming and trendy and also helped to form a unique style (I had not seen much use of pastel colours in the websites I had researched). 

I also made sure to feature some obvious social media links. As my target audience is quite young, social media is a significant tool in marketing and outreach. Maximising traffic to the band's social media is important for reaching their target audience as effectively as possible.

I also took inspiration from Fleetwood Mac's website and decided to feature a scroll-able homepage, to feature some significant information.

Scrolling down the visitor finds the band's latest music video. This idea was influenced by 30 Seconds to Mars' inclusion of their music video on their homepage. As explained in my research, I thought the idea of including it on the front page like this was very appealing as it would likely maximise traffic to the video. As well as this, it keeps the homepage fresh and up-to-date with the progress of the band. I continued the pastel colours, but decided to change from a pastel blue to a pastel pink. I feel that dividing each sub-section with a different colour makes the website easier to navigate and consume.

Further down the page, I included a quote from the music video's song. Not only does this tie the page together nicely, it also allows an opportunity to break the page up a little, making it a bit more gentle on the eyes. I thought the quote was also relevant to the band's fictional story, as the founding members started playing music together when they were in high school, so the quote could be referring to them finding music "fun" since they were little.

Underneath the quote I added a small image gallery of photos taken by me. Once again, this is to divide the page up so it is more accessible and easier to navigate. As well as this, the images chosen provide a nice compliment to the themes and aesthetics of the band. There are images of hilltops and trees, which reinforces a calming, low-key aesthetic. 

At the bottom of the home page I added an interactive audio recording of a fictional interview with one of the band members. I decided to add this kind of interactive element as it creates a more diverse range of media interaction on the page. It also implies cross media synergy between the band and a fictional radio show, which should work to emphasise the believability of the band.

On the About page I added a small fictional biography of the band. This will help to showcase the different backgrounds of the band members, which can lead to discussions on representation, and provide some more detail to attract the target audience. This page also features fictional information on the band's record label, which was inspired by similar informative sections of real band websites.

At the bottom of this page there is an email sign-up. This was another opportunity to add interactivity to the website while also seeking to emphasise the band's use of synthetic personalisation to attract their target audience (i.e. through social media interactions and email newsletters).

On the Shop page I made sure to include a merchandise store. To further sell the authenticity of the band I designed and mocked up merch that was suitable for the teenage target audience.  

There are exclusive offers on the page, which help to frame the band as a mainstream pop group who are quite successful in their merchandise sales. Pricing varies, but the items are relatively cheap to try and further entice a wider audience, not just a well earning middle-class and up. Some Limited Edition items are included for hardcore fans to purchase, wear and then recognise other fans wearing, playing into the theories of Fandom: "fans are typically interested in even minor details of the objects of their fandom and spend a significant portion of their time and energy involved with their interest".  

The page also features merchandise from the latest album. The designs are attention grabbing and youthful, with a variety of colours and designs used.


Throughout the creation of my website I hoped to create a piece of media that was representative of the target audience (young pop fans) while also appealing to a larger demographic. I feel I have successfully achieved this through the design of my website, utilising a layout and design principle that is easily accessible while also being sure to include the desired aesthetics of my target audience's interests.