The answer to the question should be based on ‘user intent’.  More to the point, the purpose of your website and who you are trying to attract.

For example, if your website is about promoting music, and/or if you are The Apple iTunes store, it’s a safe bet that people are going to your site to listen to and download music.  If you are a plastic surgeon and your site is about attracting new patients, music may not be welcome or appropriate.

In many cases, music on websites results in high use of the ‘back button’.

Still thinking about music for your non-music based website?  Consider the following scenarios:

1. Office Surfing: in other words, surfing while working.  With ‘Born To Be Wild’ blaring in the background of the latest site you visit, the boss may catch on that you’re not really working; unless you work for Harley Davidson.  

2. Shock and Awe: it’s a fact; innocent web surfers love nothing better than to unsuspectingly stumble upon these ’sound mines’, especially with their computer volume turned on.

3. The Law: besides annoying innocents, as a website owner, your selection of website music may put you at risk of ‘Copyright Infringement’.

4. The Cheese Factor: as a website owner, you may be trying to set a mood with your music, similar to that found in elevators, shopping malls, department stores and finer public toilets.

Speaking of cheese and an annoying use of website music, give a listen to http://www.milagrorestaurant.com/.  Tylenol not included.

Ray Litvak

www.writingwebwords.com

WebSite Content Writer & Developer - Toronto

It just may be.  Perhaps you have a product or service that you want to showcase, demonstrate, or teach people how to use: what better way to do this than to create a short movie of your product or service in action?

The Power of Web Video

According to a leading Australian study, more effective learning occurs when people are engaged.  The study goes on to say that “we learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see and 50% of what we see and hear.” 

People are searching online for information; wanting to learn more about a product, service or company. Web Video allows you to inform, educate, and deliver a unique message; one that engages your audience on a multi-sensory level.

When done properly, it adds an entirely new dimension to your offering, differentiating yourself from the competition. A good example is www.u2r1media.com’s use of web video.   

Upon visiting their site, one is greeted by a professional website video of the business owner, informing the visitor – in a one on one presentation - of how they will benefit and what they can expect by doing business with their company.  The message is brief, engaging, inspires a call-to-action and, as their tagline states, truly is a multi-sensory experience: They make excellent use of visual, auditory and textual mediums in their message.

Conversely, web video can work against you.  For an example of engaging content, brief and impactful information, branding, and high production value, do not watch this! Best viewed with pillow in hand – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUeHGloqEyI&feature=related.

 Ray Litvak

www.writingwebwords.com

Website Content Writer - Toronto