Wow, aren't you a lovely person Mr Darren Skeats of Eastbourne?
Hundreds, if not thousands, of bands have been signed when they're shit, so your question is self-answering. But as you asked: many bands have a donations page. I checked out lots of bands who use the same site-builder as me and they all have one. For fucks sake, there are signed bands who use the site "Pledge Music" which is a site solely set up to allow fans to fund your next album!
And regarding setting up a website: why not? There are millions of pathetic excuses for websites out there, so who's to say I can't be one of them? But as I've been part of the music scene in this country since I was 17 I have as much right as anyone to promote my own music.
So now a question for you: What kind of a person posts a nasty message on the site of someone he doesn't know, and posts it on the public messages section instead of sending a private message? Another self-answering question I suppose...
Still waiting for my signed album though 
