Band and Solo Artist websites

Whilst comparing different Artists official websites, I've been looking at different features and components of the websites, such as the page layout and images, the sitemap/top bar links and the actual content.

Example 1: The Official Beyonce Site

The webite's homepage has a repeating video which is used as a form of advertisement on television commercials for the singers new tour. The top bar is placed in the top quarter of the page and displays links for Tumblr, News, Music, Vault, Beyhive Blog, Tour and Charity. These pages link to external websites, such as Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter, however some still link to the same website and all have varying different layouts as the main homepage.

The middle header simply displays her name and also includes links to her Official Facebook page and her Twitter page. With the button to the side of the page it allows for the whole middle header and text to disappear, leaving the video playing.

Example 2: Justin Timberlakes Official Website

When entering this website it directs you automatically to an official video of the singer and is optionally closed by an exit button in the top right of the video. Once the video is closed, you are then directed to a 'Countdown' page of the singers 2013 Tour including information about dates and his new album.

This page is also optionally exited to another Countdown page that has a pop-out of a video with separate advertisement buttons below it and another exit button. Next the pop out disappears, revealing a page with advertisements and a direct link to the website homepage underneath the text etc. The link takes you to the websites primary homepage which has a small media player at the top and also links to a News, Music, Film & TV and Media pages that all have roughly the same layout as the homepage. I think this website has too many distractions and pop-out pages to persevere through until you're at the main homepage and most people will not have the patience to wait through it all.

Example 3: Taylor Swift's Official website

The websites homepage has various sliding designs and layouts that advertise different things and also have links at the top going to About, News, Red Tour, Media, Journal, Music, Taylor Connect and Store pages. I think the design is simple but adventurous and has all the main components and features of a web page including images and videos.