Musician-tailored website platform Bandzoogle has partnered with on-demand printing service Printful to help creators seamlessly deliver commission-free merchandise to fans.
DMN is proud to have partnered with Bandzoogle to bring you this important announcement.
As part of the recently announced integration agreement, Bandzoogle artists can quickly and easily equip their websites with any of Printful’s over 200 fully customizable merchandise options. From apparel to phone accessories and posters to drinkware, as well as much in between, Printful prints, packages, and ships items as orders are placed.
For Bandzoogle creators, who can list this direct-to-fan merch alongside existing, on-hand products, there are no upfront fees, monthly charges, or excess inventory to speak of. Musicians set their made-to-order items’ prices and pay a portion of the total only when supporters make a purchase.
And as many artists continue to diversify their webstore offerings in an effort to foster deeper fan connections (and expand their earnings) amid the pandemic, there’s something to be said for a straightforward means of selling unique merchandise without incurring excessive costs. Limited-edition products, crafted to a high degree of quality and promptly delivered to customers’ doorsteps, are an excellent way to commemorate music releases, livestream concerts, and more.
Bandzoogle CEO Stacey Bedford, who joined the company as a front line support person in 2007, highlighted the point in a statement: “Our mandate is to help artists generate revenue for their careers by monetizing their websites. Merch sales have been the biggest group of sales items for our members, and print-on-demand offers another great option for artists to sell merch directly to their fans with no upfront costs, and no inventory to store.”
In a broader sense, the ability to integrate Printful creations on Bandzoogle artist platforms underscores the long-term value of personal websites, for musicians. Social media remains an integral ingredient in the recipe for promotional success, but the constantly evolving tools can only complement – not replace – a well-maintained website.
Bandzoogle, which doesn’t take a cut of revenues deriving from direct-to-fan sales, allows members to build a professional website to sell their music and merch, connect to their social media profiles, and add a press kit and concert schedule that’s personalized for their unique careers and supporters. This point, in coordination with paid livestreams, tip jars, no-risk merchandising, and other features that the 18-year-old company has debuted throughout the pandemic, means that artists are able to cultivate a strong online community in a single, all-encompassing space.
Given that traditional concerts and music festivals remain on hold, the career advantages of developing a digital destination for fans are clear. But as live music returns to form – a comeback that may arrive sooner rather than later – the perks of having a functional website, including a diverse webstore, a packed touring database, and information about new music, appear poised to grow in both quantity and quality.
Fans regularly search for their favorite artists’ concert dates, latest releases, livestream sets, behind-the-scenes videos, and merchandise. Now, with platforms like Bandzoogle, it’s easier than ever for creators to bring these things together, generating more interest – and reaching larger audiences – in the process.
