Website analysis - The Wanted

The Wanted – Website

The website for the band The Wanted is not only interesting to look at but markets the band in many ways.

When entering the website a black screen with a pcture of the band members wearing hooded black tops and the bands logo stands out as it uses white font against the black background. This page is promoting the current UK arena tour the band are doing called 'The Code' which is seen underneath the logo on the website page. When people go to see them live a code of 5 numbers appears on the screen after the show which is different in each arena and show which can be entered here so that they can look at exclusive content from behind the scenes of that show. One of the features is a video taken using a flip camera by one of the band members who walks on stage (dressed in a red mask and blue jumpsuit so that the crowd do not recognise them) in between the support acts. This is then uploaded and when typing in that code the audience members from that show can see which band member came out on stage during the show, and try to spot themselves in the audience. Underneath this page there is a link to enter the bands main website.

The bands main site has a news feed, informing fans of up coming promotions, TV appearances and releases etc., which is useful for fans to keep up to date with news about the band from a reliable source.

There are also pictures of the band members, which when scrolled over brings up a Twitter feed for each member of the band which shows the four most recent tweets. This is a really good feature, as it gives fans a chance to interact with the band and see their personalities individually this may encourage anyone visiting their site to follow them on twitter. Which can in turn lead to more fans as they can inform them of up coming gigs and releases.

There is a page about the band. Telling anyone wanting to know about the band who each member is, how they got together and what they have achieved since they formed in 2009.

There is another page with videos. This page contains all the ‘Wanted Wednesday’ videos the band make every week as well as performances and web-chats. There is a gallery page which has pictures of the band from photo shoots for magazines and album/single shoots. The website also has a merchandise page. This contains the range of Tout T-Shirts and hoodies, calendars, mugs, canvas posters, badges, range of jewellery, official book and phone cases and covers. 

There are also links to the bands Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages at the top of the website home page which can direct anyone to the bands music or to help them get more information on the band.

The site also has the a sign in option. This is or fans to be able to interact with each other as well as receiving a mailer from the band. This is sent every Wednesday (Wanted Wednesday) to those who have signed up. It is written by band member Jay McGuiness and tells the fans about the events of their week and usually includes pictures as well as links to the bands merchandise page, latest videos, offers on the album, links for websites to buy tickets for tours and gigs and links to vote for any awards or competitions the band are nominated for or taking part in.

This website works really well. The use of band images and connecting all information anyone could every want to know about the band into one site as well as giving links to the bands music. I particularly like the use of the Twitter feed, the news feed and the idea of signing up to a mailer , which cleverly uses the idea of getting closer to the band to give fans information about merchandise and upcoming tours and shows off the bands personality in positive light. It is a great site for fans. However the down side is that on the first page that is brought up when clicking on the Wanted's site is that the link to the main site is not particularly clear which could confuse anyone using the site for the first time who is trying to find out about the band.