Recommended WordPress plugins for a band website?

[Stylon Pilson]

At the moment my new band's website is just a single page, but in the medium term I'll be wanting to make something a bit more full-featured.

I've used Bandzoogle before, and while it's obviously a very user-friendly way for non-technical people to get a website up and running, I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty and so don't really fancy getting locked into the monthly charge.

For those people out there who have built their own band websites using WordPress, what plugins do you use to add "advanced" functionality - I'm thinking gig listings and such like.

Thanks in advance!

S.P.

[SimonEdward]

Hello to another Berkshire Bassist

I'm a current Wordpress user and have had my website for 3 years. I love Free stuff (I'm on a very small monthly budget for hosting) and won't pay for so-called 'premium' themes or plugins because IMHO they're not really worth either a one-off or monthly charge for the 'extra' features.

If you use a particular theme, designed for Musicians, Bands, DJ's etc, then some of the advanced features you are looking for are already provided. Google is pretty hot on websites being 'responsive' for mobile users, so there's that to think about. Have a look at this example list for starters: -

[url="https://www.freshdesignweb.com/music-wordpress-themes/"]https://www.freshdesignweb.com/music-wordpress-themes/[/url]

I could post a list of essential plugins I use on my site (security, optimisation etc) but I don't think that's the point of this thread and you may have that covered. Best wishes,

Edited September 19, 2017 by SimonEdward

[Stylon Pilson]

Simon, that is absolutely perfect. Thank you!

Which theme do you use?

S.P.

[SimonEdward]

You're welcome!

I use a free Wordpress theme called "Tracks" by Compete Themes: - [url="https://www.competethemes.com/tracks/"]https://www.competethemes.com/tracks/[/url]

I also used "Catch Box" (by Catch Themes) for a while, because I liked having a right side bar for widgets. It's good but I changed because "Tracks" looks more up-to-date.

Have you decided whether to go Wordpress .com or .org ? You might want to read this before you chose: - [url="https://www.wp101.com/wordpress-org-versus-wordpress-com/"]https://www.wp101.com/wordpress-org-versus-wordpress-com/[/url]

All the best, Simon.

[Stylon Pilson]

[quote name='SimonEdward' timestamp='1505929396' post='3375330']
I use a free Wordpress theme called "Tracks" by Compete Themes: - [url="https://www.competethemes.com/tracks/"]https://www.competethemes.com/tracks/[/url]
[/quote]

Okay. Does that have built-in features for bands, like a gig calendar etc? I couldn't see any mention of it on the site.

[quote name='SimonEdward' timestamp='1505929396' post='3375330']
Have you decided whether to go Wordpress .com or .org ?
[/quote]

Self-hosted, definitely. I've already got my domain registered and hosting lined up. I've set up a dozen or so WordPress installations in the past, so I'm perfectly comfortable with self-hosting.

S.P.

[BassBunny]

Sorry to highjack the thread but we desperately need a new Website and previously I have used programs like WYSWYG to produce the site, but would like to use a Wordpress Template.
How do you edit the free templates?
Do you have to create a WP account, import the Template and edit it within WP? Can you then export it to host remotely? We already have a "friendly" hosting arrangement.
Sorry if this sounds a bit basic, but it is quite a while since our website was rebuilt and t'internet moves at alarming speed.

[Stylon Pilson]

You don't need to create a WP account if you are using your own hosting. You'll want to download the application from wordpress.org and upload it to your server using FTP. Once it's running, there's a page within the admin panel for browsing themes - if the one you want is in there, then it's quite easy to install and activate, but if not then you have to go through a similar process to installing WP in the first place - ie download it from the theme author's site and then upload it to your own server with FTP.

Generally, you shouldn't need to edit themes, but if you do, then it's generally easiest to FTP the files down, edit them on your machine, and then re-upload them.

S.P.

[BassBunny]

Cheers, that seems to make sense.

[SimonEdward]

[quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1505982282' post='3375578']
Okay. Does that have built-in features for bands, like a gig calendar etc? I couldn't see any mention of it on the site.

Self-hosted, definitely. I've already got my domain registered and hosting lined up. I've set up a dozen or so WordPress installations in the past, so I'm perfectly comfortable with self-hosting.

S.P.
[/quote]

The 'Tracks' theme is very basic.. just an audio and video player - and you might not be able to customise them (add a logo) etc. Probably not for you.

Simon.