Here are 5 vital components of any musician’s web site:

• Communication - Be sure that your web site is more than a brochure. The beauty of the internet is that it allows for simple two way communication. Share your music, thoughts and life with your audience and make it easy for them to share theirs. This can be done via a mailing list, blog, forum or easily accessible contact methods.
• Simplicity - Be certain that everything that you put your site has a purpose. Items should not be added simply because they are cool or everyone else has them (i.e. flash). Add them because they will help achieve a unique goal for each page.  Keep the site navigation, wording and design simple so that your music is the main focus.
• Incentive - Treat people who visit your site like a friend coming over for dinner. Give stuff away (information, music, prizes, your time) in an effort to build deep and lasting relationships. Many artist web sites seem to simply be a sales pitch. Be different. Build relationships and the sales will come.
• Your Music - make it easy for visitors to find, hear and buy your music.
• You - Be real. Be yourself. Share your everyday thoughts and life. Share your time by replying to every possible (and reasonable) comment on your blog or email sent. Be active in your forums.