Third Party Services & Costs

What is it?

Web hosting is like renting space on the internet for your website. Your hosting provider stores all your website files, music, images, and data on powerful computers (servers) that are always connected to the internet, so visitors can access your site 24/7.

Why do you need it?

Without hosting, your website simply wouldn’t exist on the internet. It’s the foundation everything else is built on. For an artist selling music and videos, you need reliable hosting that can handle file downloads and streaming without slowing down.

What to look for:

• WordPress optimized – Hosting specifically designed for WordPress runs faster and is more secure
• WooCommerce compatible – Since you’re selling products, you need hosting that supports e-commerce
• Good storage space – Audio and video files take up space; look for at least 10-20GB to start
• SSL included – Many hosts include free SSL certificates (the padlock that shows your site is secure)
• Daily backups – Automatic backups protect your work if something goes wrong

What is it?

Your domain name is your website’s address (like yourartistname.com). It’s how fans find you online. An SSL certificate adds the “https://” and padlock icon to your site, encrypting data between your visitors and your server – essential for accepting payments.

Why do you need it?

A custom domain looks professional and is easy for fans to remember. SSL is absolutely required for any website accepting payments – browsers will warn visitors if you don’t have it, and payment processors won’t work without it.

What is it?

WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that turns your website into an online store. It handles products, shopping carts, checkout, orders, and inventory. The Artist Empowerment Suite is built on top of WooCommerce.

Why do you need it?

WooCommerce is the foundation that allows you to sell music, videos, and merchandise. Our AES plugins extend WooCommerce to add features specifically designed for artists – like audio streaming, video players, and fan engagement tools.

What’s included free:

• Product management and inventory
• Shopping cart and checkout
• Order management
• Customer accounts
• Basic payment gateways
• Shipping calculations
• Tax management

What is it?

Stripe is a payment processor that allows you to accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and more. When a fan buys your music or merch, Stripe securely processes the payment and deposits the money into your bank account.

Why do you need it?

You need a way to accept payments! Stripe is integrated with our Token System (for fan tokens/coins), Crowdfunding campaigns, and standard WooCommerce purchases. It’s one of the most trusted and widely-used payment processors.

Key features:

• Accept all major credit/debit cards
• Apple Pay and Google Pay support
• Automatic deposits to your bank (usually 2 business days)
• Built-in fraud protection
• No monthly fees – only pay when you make sales
• Works internationally

What is it?

PayPal is another payment processor that many people prefer, especially for online purchases. Some fans feel more comfortable paying through PayPal because they don’t have to enter their credit card details on your site.

Why do you need it?

Offering PayPal alongside Stripe gives customers a choice, which can increase sales. Some international customers prefer PayPal, and it’s a trusted name in online payments. However, Stripe alone is sufficient for most sellers.

What is it?

CDN stands for “Content Delivery Network.” Think of it as a network of computers around the world that store copies of your files. When a fan in Japan downloads your album, they get it from a server in Asia instead of your server in the US – making it much faster.

Why do you need it?

For artists selling large files like music albums or videos, a CDN is highly recommended because:

• Faster downloads – Fans get their purchases quickly, no matter where they are
• Protects your main server – Your website stays fast even when lots of people download files
• Secure delivery – Special signed URLs prevent unauthorized sharing
• Saves bandwidth – Reduces load on your hosting, potentially saving money

The Artist Empowerment Suite integrates with Bunny CDN to deliver music downloads, stream audio/video, and store media files (like fan “Moments” uploads). You can configure it to use token-signed URLs so only paying customers can access files.

What is it?

Bunny Stream is a video hosting and streaming service. Unlike YouTube, you have full control – no ads, no recommendations to competitors, and your content stays yours. It automatically converts your videos to different quality levels so they play smoothly on any device or connection speed.

Why do you need it?

If you’re selling video content (music videos, behind-the-scenes, tutorials, live performances), you need a reliable way to stream it. Bunny Stream:

• Automatically optimizes videos for streaming (transcoding is FREE)
• Adjusts quality based on viewer’s internet speed
• Works with our TVP (TV-style Player) for a professional viewing experience
• Supports DRM/encryption for premium content
• Includes a video player at no extra cost

What is it?

Mailchimp is an email marketing platform that helps you build and manage your mailing list, send newsletters, announce new releases, and stay connected with fans.

Why do you need it?

Email is still one of the most effective ways to reach your fans directly – you own your email list, unlike social media followers. The WooCommerce integration automatically syncs your customers to Mailchimp so you can:

• Send new release announcements
• Share exclusive content with buyers
• Notify fans about upcoming shows
• Segment fans by what they’ve purchased

What is it?

Printify is a print-on-demand service that lets you sell custom merchandise (t-shirts, hoodies, posters, mugs, etc.) without holding any inventory. When a fan orders a shirt, Printify prints it and ships it directly to them.

Why do you need it?

• No upfront costs – You don’t buy inventory; products are made when ordered
• No storage needed – Printify handles everything
• Huge product catalog – Hundreds of products to choose from
• Automatic fulfillment – Orders sync from WooCommerce automatically
• Global shipping – Reach fans worldwide

You upload your designs, set your prices, and add products to your store. When someone orders, Printify charges you the base cost and ships the product. You keep the difference as profit.