music on web sites

[pbyd]

I just found this and thought it should be shared. If you don't have music on your web site, you don't have to pay the licensing fees or break the copyright laws, and your don’t run off possible clients.
Just saying,
Wayne
Photography by Design


"If you have music playing on your site, and you're not a musician, lose the music. you're driving away customers and losing sales." - Bob Parsons, CEO of GoDaddy.com

[dryicerx]

I cannot agree more... it physically pains me everytime I run in to a site that does this. (unfortunately photography sites have a addiction to these)

[revjvegas]

9 times out of 10 if music starts playing when I open a site, I immediately close the site.

I find it extremely anoying plus it just slows down the loading of the site.

That's just me.

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

9 times out of 10 if music starts playing when I open a site, I immediately close the site.

I find it extremely anoying plus it just slows down the loading of the site.

That's just me.

And if you do a little research, you will find that 9 out of 10 photographers do not have the rights to the music that is on their site. It is sad to say but photographers (who complain when someone rips off their copyright) are the ones that have the most copyright violations in ripped off software and music.
Just saying again,
Wayne
Photography by Design

[HeatherLou]

Two years ago, I would have completely agreed with the OP, but I have since changed my mind. I think when done correctly, music can be good on a site. I also find that most of the women that I talk to are okay with it. But nearly every man I have talked to about it, hate it. I warn people that music is coming on my front page & give credit to the artist. I DO have the right to use the music from the artist, because it was created specifically for me, by the artist. I use music during the slide show presentation in my studio. There is a big difference in how my clients react with the music, than without. I want that same feeling when clients view the slide show on my site.

www.heathernix.com

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by Heatherlou

Two years ago, I would have completely agreed with the OP, but I have since changed my mind. I think when done correctly, music can be good on a site. I also find that most of the women that I talk to are okay with it. But nearly every man I have talked to about it, hate it. I warn people that music is coming on my front page & give credit to the artist. I DO have the right to use the music from the artist, because it was created specifically for me, by the artist. I use music during the slide show presentation in my studio. There is a big difference in how my clients react with the music, than without. I want that same feeling when clients view the slide show on my site.

Heather Nix Photography, Brownwood, TX, Children, Family, Seniors, Weddings

Heather, the statement was by a "Man" and it was more than likely written over 2 years ago, so you could be right, maybe. I have found a long time ago in this business to listen to the wisdom of the people that have been there, this has seemed to work for me and kept me a full time photographer for a long, long time. I have found so many people in the last 5 years unwilling to copy success; they seem to much prefer to play at this wonderful business and copy failure with out researching any facts. You seem to have at least talked to your clients, it seems that most people just follow fads, what is popular with the “Cool Superstars” is copied over and over until every one looks alike.
“What’s different being different when it different now that looks alike?” (John Hartford)

Wayne
Photography by Design

[CaptainTom]

As a musician I would never use unauthorized music on my website.
I also take issue with the claim that 9 out of 10 photographers don't have permission to use the music. I think it is more than a majority, but you haven't taken in to account the brazillion sites that have music included in the template.
That music is made specially for the site.

I'm easily bored and like the music. Sometimes it's too loud (mine) but I have the option to turn it off if I want to continue with the site.

"Excuse my friend. He believes that the laws of his tribe are the laws of every tribe."

[pbyd]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

As a musician I would never use unauthorized music on my website.
I also take issue with the claim that 9 out of 10 photographers don't have permission to use the music. I think it is more than a majority, but you haven't taken in to account the brazillion sites that have music included in the template.
That music is made specially for the site.

I'm easily bored and like the music. Sometimes it's too loud (mine) but I have the option to turn it off if I want to continue with the site.

"Excuse my friend. He believes that the laws of his tribe are the laws of every tribe."

OK Tom, I will have to agree, that I went a little bit over with the 9 out of 10 (just made it up, not a scientific number). I also am not trying to be a censor; I too have a volume control and sometimes use it.
Wayne
Photography by Design

[Steelsun]

The worst part about music on the site: You could alienate plenty of clients that "surf" at work, then get hit with a blaring bit of music, get embarrassed and potentially in trouble.

Like most, if music is on a site I visit that is not a music orientated site, I will:
1) Close it immediately if it is too loud, overbearing, or inappropriate.
or
2) If it is gentle, I will look to find a way to shut it off anyways. (If I want music, I'll go to a music site). If I cannot see where to shut it off in under about 2 seconds - Away the site goes. The normal place is in the lower left, without having to page down. If it ain't there, then neither am I.

[CaptainTom]

]Like most, if music is on a site I visit that is not a music orientated site, I will

: What research have you found that backs this up ?

[Steelsun]

The opinion of almost everyone I know, including professional web designers.
And:
What Are The Main Reasons Visitors Leave a Website?
Bad Website Ideas: Splash Intro Pages, Music, Too Much Flash, What Not to Have on Your Website
Why Playing Music on your Web Site is a Bad Idea - Power Guides - Wow Web Designs
Why Do Visitors Leave Your Website?

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

The opinion of almost everyone I know, including professional web designers.
And:
What Are The Main Reasons Visitors Leave a Website?
Bad Website Ideas: Splash Intro Pages, Music, Too Much Flash, What Not to Have on Your Website
Why Playing Music on your Web Site is a Bad Idea - Power Guides - Wow Web Designs
Why Do Visitors Leave Your Website?

I'm not trying to create an argument, just developing the conversation and trying to back up my position.

All except the last resource offered are over 4 yrs old. Times they be a changing.......it's 2010 and people are used to music on photography sites.

The last and most current resource just explains that their should be the option to turn the music down or off.

I think that people who are surfing for photographers will more often than not, encounter music on the site. If you are selling bear traps, music isn't important.

[Steelsun]

I think the point is if some part of your website, that is in no way vital or even needed, turns away some potential clients: It is not a good idea.

[CaptainTom]

In my opinion, the music on my site enhances the experience therefore is both needed and vital....it also distinguishes my artistic values versus another photographer who is only interested in the ephemeral experience.

[kayumangi]

It's a personal choice really. Our websites are our virtual business cards. And like business cards we are free to be creative as long as we keep it legal. Some people like rounded biz cards some don't, some folks like music some don't.

A potential client to one photog may not be the potential client to another. So we cannot say we are turning away clients because we don't know who the other photogs clients are.