A musician website is the most powerful tool for selling music and merch online. Unlike third-party platforms, your website gives you full control over branding, pricing, and customer interactions.
Keep 100% of sales – No commissions or hidden fees.
Full branding control – Customize your site’s design, store layout, and content.
Direct fan engagement – Build an email list, run promotions, and create a unique fan experience.
Sell multiple products – Digital downloads, vinyl, physical merch, and tickets all in one place. Read more about What Can You Sell in Your Online Store as a Musician?
Requires marketing effort – You’ll need to drive traffic to your store.
Initial setup – While platforms like Noiseyard simplify the process, some setup is required.
Streaming services and digital music stores help artists reach a global audience, but they don’t always maximize earnings.
High visibility – Your music is available to millions of potential listeners.
Built-in distribution – Platforms handle hosting and payments for you.
Easier discovery – Fans can find your music through recommendations and playlists.
Low payouts – Streaming platforms pay artists fractions of a cent per stream.
Limited control – You can’t customize pricing or fan interactions.
Revenue cuts – Stores like iTunes and Amazon take a percentage of sales.
Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal – Great for exposure but not for direct sales.
Bandcamp – A more artist-friendly option that allows flexible pricing and direct fan support.
Amazon Music & iTunes – Good for one-time purchases but take a cut of sales.
Merch is one of the most profitable revenue streams for musicians. Third-party platforms make it easy to sell merch without handling inventory, but they come with trade-offs.
No need for inventory management – Print-on-demand services handle production and shipping.
Established customer base – Platforms like Etsy and Shopify already attract buyers.
Easy setup – Just upload designs and start selling.
Higher fees – Marketplaces take a percentage of each sale.
Less branding control – You’re selling on their platform, not your own.
Competition – Your products are listed alongside thousands of others.
Bandcamp – Supports merch sales but takes a cut.
Etsy & Shopify – Great for selling unique or custom-made merch.
Printful & Teespring – Print-on-demand services that integrate with other platforms.
Each option has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best strategy often involves combining multiple platforms.
Here's a quick breakdown:
Your Own Website – Best for keeping full control, branding, and maximizing profits. Requires self-promotion but eliminates commission fees.
Streaming & Digital Stores – Great for discovery and reaching new audiences but offers low payouts.
Third-Party Marketplaces – Useful for merch sales but involves transaction fees and less branding control.
While each platform serves a purpose, a dedicated website remains the best long-term investment for artists serious about building a sustainable career. It allows you to centralize your sales, strengthen your brand, and create a direct line to your fans without relying on third-party platforms. Platforms like Noiseyard simplify this by providing musician-focused features such as built-in eCommerce, modern templates and email lists, making it easier to create a professional store without extra complexity.
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