Alright, let’s cut the bull: you’re a comedian, not a tech wizard. You need a website that does its job without costing a fortune or requiring a PhD in computer science. Here’s the absolute bare minimum your digital stage needs to get you online:
A domain name
- Think of a domain name as your online address. Keep it short, memorable, and easy to spell. Ideally, it’ll be your name or a stage name. But your domain name has to be unique, and you should avoid anything already well known (no FerrariComedy.uk, please).
- .com is generally the most recognisable, but a .uk domain if you’re primarily UK-based makes absolute sense, is short, recognisable and great for localising your website.
- Let’s cut the bull: don’t overthink it. Just get something that works.
Let’s cut the bull hosting
- This is where your website files live. You don’t need a dedicated server or any fancy bells and whistles.
- Shared hosting from a good provider will do the trick. It’s cheap and perfectly adequate for what you need. Let’s cut the bull warning: when subscribing to a host, make sure you’re not getting a deal that includes a cost increase after 12 months (many big providers offer a fantastic deal for the first year only to exponentially increase their fees when you’re settled with them). You probably need a host that is trustworthy, helpful, and up-front about their costs.
- Mostly, look for something fast, reliable, and with decent uptime.
A “let’s cut the bull” platform
- Forget custom coding. You’re a comedian, not a programmer?
- You need a website platform that will allow you to easily update content regularly, and add new gig dates, for instance. A good choice is something like WordPress: it’s free, easy to use, and is the largest content management platform with 43% of the market. If you’re worried about installing it and getting it set up, you can hire someone to do this for you, or maybe use a WordPress installer from your hosting provider.
- Platforms like WordPress offer templates, so you don’t need to be a design guru. Pick one that looks clean and professional. There are plenty of free templates available (some of which are a bit iffy when it comes to looks). But if you want something that highlights your individuality and creativity, you might want to pay a small annual fee for a professional template.
- You can also hire someone to find a template and tweak it for your specific needs. They will also help you get your site up and running initially, adding your pages and content for you.
Essential pages
We go into ideal website content for comedians in other comedy-related articles on this site, but for a summary:
- Homepage: Your digital handshake. Include a professional photo to show off your personality and a brief, engaging bio that highlights your comedic style. Make it clear what you do.
- About: A slightly more detailed version of your bio. Talk in detail about your experience, influences, and any notable achievements. Keep it concise and entertaining.
- Shows/gigs: This is crucial. So, clearly list upcoming performances with dates, times, venues, and ticket links. Keep it updated and make it engaging with an image related to the gig (such as an e-flyer provided by the promoter).
- Contact: Make it easy for people to reach you for bookings or inquiries. A simple contact form is sufficient.
Basic content
- Professional photos: Good quality photos are essential. No blurry phone snaps. Some studio photos are useful, as well as some of you on stage entertaining the crowds (but make sure they’re properly lit, don’t have you squinting into the spots, and aren’t grainy or blurred).
- Short bio: As mentioned above, keep it punchy, interesting, and informative.
- Video clips (optional but recommended): Even short, well-shot clips of your stand-up can significantly boost your appeal. This is a growing comedian’s website trend, so we have an article on comedy podcasts and videos. Embed them directly from YouTube or Vimeo. Make sure they have closed captions and that you can hear the audio, and see the content.
- Social media links: Make it easy for people to follow you whenever you’re active on social platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.). When your website goes live, make sure you link from your socials back to your website to draw people to your site. We’ve got loads of advice for comedians about using social media.
That’s it. Seriously. You don’t need fancy animations, e-commerce functionality (unless you’re selling merch, which can come later), or a blog if you’re not going to maintain it.
In brief, the goal is to have a professional-looking online presence that allows people to:
- Know who you are and what kind of comedy you do;
- Find out where you’re performing; and,
- Contact you for bookings.
Keep it simple, keep it updated, and focus on what you do best: making people laugh. Now go get that domain name.
But, if it still fills you with dread, talk to us. We’ll happily guide you through the whole process and help you get your jokes the digital platform they deserve. We’ve helped other comedians, and we can help you.
More no-BS advice for comedians online
Spotlight on success: How a professional website can enhance a comedian’s career
Why comedians need their own website (and how to make it great!)
Beyond the stage: Building your comedy online presence
Beyond the algorithm: Comedians can’t rely on social media alone
So you think you’re funny: Your comedy website says otherwise
Banishing the blank page: How to overcome comedian’s block
Social media gold: Using social media for comedy promotion
Comedy podcasts and videos: Boost your comedian career
About the author…
Glenn has been a web developer and graphic designer since the early 1990s. He has followed the development of HTML, JavaScript and CSS from the beginning and has caught on to newer technologies, such as PHP.
Never resting, Glenn tries to keep abreast of new developments in his areas of expertise and is always keen to pass on his knowledge to help the web and graphic design community to improve user experience.
Glenn set up Redcentaur to offer easy access to the internet for small businesses and individuals, without the cloud of mysticism that surrounds internet technology. The stated objective of Redcentaur is to demystify the web for the uninitiated by offering easy-to-use, end-to-end web solutions and hosting at accessible prices.
