THANK YOU BANDZOOGLE.COM!: Practicum 4

     I came to a major turning point in the direction of my practicum project. I decided to use BandZoogle.com instead of trying to learn the ins and outs of Dreamweaver and the other software needed to build a great web 2.0 homepage. I would have had to learn more than I have time to in order to build the website of my dreams.  I would have been working on a website that could have taken me until the end of next semester to complete (literally) and that is not acceptable because of the practicum assignment. Additionally, I would like to at least 4 to 6 weeks of promoting the website (and my music) and doing updates before the summer break. The simple fact is my design was so advanced that I would have had to pay a developer at least $1,500 to make it, so I searched and found BandZoogle.

     BandZoogle is basically web-based software for building musician websites. It differs from Facebook or MySpace in that it builds personal and custom websites. When you see it, the only reason you will know that I used BandZoogle is because I wrote about it here. The other difference is that it is costing me $19.95 per month. They are basically a glorified host for musicians.

     BandZoogle automates the webpage building process. It is more similar to graphic design software than web software. In order to make an attractive and functional website one still must understand some web language programming. Additionally, one MUST still have an eye for webpage layout and functionality. But, BandZoogle makes uploading music way easier, e-commerce is simplified, the administrator back end is already functional at the start, you are offered templates (I made my own), and the support is fricken GREAT!

     There are limitations. For one, I cannot ad PHP code. I am also limited in how wide I can make the template (960 pixels max). Finally, I don’t see a way to export my website or database should I decide to bale on BandZoogle. What I am going to do is continue working on my website in Dreamweaver in case I find my love affair with BandZoogle goes south. However, if BandZoogle keeps their service up, I am definitely a long term customer.

     My webpage is basically done. This means that I can focus on getting my content in order. This means finishing the new Virgo Vertigo album, Tabula Rasa. It also means finishing the first videos and getting the old songs up. It looks very similar to what I had planned and I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY AND EXCITED about the page. I plan on launching the website on March 28^th with the first single, “Who Wants to Go Drinking” being released. The album will still be released on April 10^th. I will be giving away promo copies of the album to the Comm Arts 346 lecture hopefully on April 11^th. My next blog will be on the actual work of making content because that is what is going to get people to the website and back again.