User Analysis
As a user of many music blogs, the main goal that I look to accomplish by going to these websites is to learn something. Whether it be a new song, a new band, or a new concert, my main goal is to walk away with something informative and thought provoking. As you may know by now, the website I’m proposing is a new music website that covers new music, artists, and concerts in the NYC-Boston area. On my site, users will be able to communicate with other users who have just as much interest in music as they do. My site will offer a variety of gratifications for the people who visit. Not only will I give you a new band with a local concert in the area, I will allow you to download a free mp3 of one of their songs and give you a video of one of their live performances. This is done so you can get a better idea of what to expect, and see if this artist is really something worth looking into. In most cases, it is. Also, by giving you music in nearly every musical genre, there will be the gratification in listening to something new; something that you may never thought you’d like before. This is how you will be able to develop new passions, new favorite bands, and new favorite genres. I’ve also recently added a plug-in where users can rate the song, and that score will be calculated based on everyone who votes. This allows the user to feel part of the site and shows them that they do have input. Eventually I would love to bring more to my site, including things like podcasts, video reviews, and breaking music news so that my website can be a all-in-one stop for music lovers in the NY-Boston area and potentially beyond. This gives the user even more ways to interact with the website, and even take it with them on their iPods through the podcasts. The site will be as user-friendly as possible, making it enjoyable to view and use.
If someone doesn’t like every song that I blog about, it is still not a failure. There will be plenty of times when people listen to a track and decide “this is not my style.” And that’s perfectly alright. What you are going to come to the site for is to stumble upon that one song that becomes your new favorite, or to find a show for that artist that looks too cool to pass up. I’m not here to tell you to like every single song I post, but if you walk away more knowledgeable and informed than when you previously entered, then the site is still doing its job. As my dad used to tell me when I was younger: “Some songs I like, some songs..I don’t like.”
There will also be times when someone loves a certain songs, but others dislike it. This is great as well, because users will be able to comment and talk about their feelings on the song. Some people like rap more than others, and some people like indie rock. My goal is to get those people who only listen to rock to at least appreciate some good hip-hop, and potentially learn to enjoy certain aspects of it. There is a lot of music being made that doesn’t see the light of day, and it’s my job to dig it up and show you that great music still exists in the world, and in every genre.
How people use the web pages is also important. There will be links at the top of the blog to click through local shows, new music, mash-ups, videos etc. This gives the user a one click option to see all of those types of labels. The people who use the site will generally be males and females from high school to people in their 30’s. The site is geared towards people who have an avid interest in fresh and up-and-coming music and who still are crazy enough to go to a concert at a little bar or venue. If you’re someone who’s in their 50’s and has only listened to classic rock their whole lives, then there may be less on this site for you. However, if you’re open to hearing new bands from today who have taken many of the influences from many of your old favorite bands, then come to my site and learn something new.
People who are in the 18-35 age range also are very adept to using the internet, and will be able to access my website through things like Facebook fan pages, twitter accounts, etc. These people can access my site at work, at school, and on their own free time. You can skim through things you want if you’re short on time, or you can listen to every track and get lost in the site. Looking for a new show to go to and impress your girlfriend? Go to my site and look for all of the new concerts in the area. Plus, most of them are dirt cheap because it’s a lot of great bands that are just getting their start. My feeling is that there is nothing better than seeing an intimate concert by a great band who hasn’t broken out yet. I think other people feel the same way. Also, listening to the new music lets you get on the wagon at the beginning, so you’ll never be a band wagon jumper.
It’s always good to get input from your users too. I would like to place polls that let users vote what they like and don’t like about the site, and hopefully this will enable me to meet their needs even further. Hopefully people of all ages find my website informative and refreshing. That’s the goal, now I just have to make it happen. Here’s a new song for you all! They’re a new band out of England with a 70’s rock feel. Check them out in NYC at Le Poisson Rogue in March.
