The Ten Commandments of Using Streaming Audio On Your Website
When it comes to placing audio on your website there are Ten Commandments you absolutely must follow. Break one of these Commandments and you can watch your website drive visitors away faster than the speed of sound. Fortunately, if you follow the Ten Commandments you can get people to stay at your website longer, inquire about your product or service more often, and even buy more of what you are selling. Doesn't that sound good?
So without further ado, here are the Ten Commandments you must follow when placing audio on your website.
Commandment #1
Don't set your audio to play automatically when people arrive at your website. Your visitors all have different computers with different speakers, some have the volume turned all the way up, some are already listening to music, some don't even have speakers to begin with. If you start playing your audio automatically you risk losing potential customers. It's much easer to leave a website or hit the back button then it is to search around for how to turn off your audio. One exception to this Commandment is the use of pop-up windows. Pop-up windows can be closed by the visitor yet they still leave them at your website. The same goes for exit pop-ups, these windows can be very effective at grabbing the visitors attention, although some people may not like it, it has proven to be very successful in some uses.
Commandment #2
Sounding like a Pro! You must have professional sounding audio on your site. Anything else will make you look like an amateur. If you are showcasing your own poetry, or telling a personal story, or marketing yourself, then you should use your own voice. But, if you are trying to sell something and your voice doesn't quite cut it, then have a professional voiceover person record your audio. It will make all the difference. You can find a list of affordable voiceover professionals at www.web-audio-reviews.com/voiceover.htm
Commandment #3
When using audio to sell or promote, keep it short! Long audio messages have their place online and rarely are they on the main page of a website. Keep your messages short, concise, to the point, and easy to follow. This can make all the difference in your audio message. Try to keep your promotional audio message around 30 to 90 seconds. Commercials are only 30 seconds and get their point across very well, follow their lead and do the same thing.
Commandment #4
Be prepared! If you or someone else is recording your audio then write out a script. Write out a complete word for word script, practice it out loud and change it as necessary. If you just "wing it" then it will sound like it. Have others listen and critique your script before you record it. Fine tune your script by removing unnecessary wording, trimming down the overall length, and wording it for maximum impact.
Commandment #5
When recording your own audio, smile! It will come across in your voice. But remember, if you don't sound like a pro even when you smile, then get one!
Commandment #6
Don't overload your site with audio. If you have too many audio buttons to choose from most people will choose none. Whereas when you only have a few audio buttons on your website it will encourage people to listen to your audio message. A single audio button done right is usually enough to get your point.
Commandment #7
Use music! Using music in addition to your voice will make your audio sound 100 times more professional and engaging. Add some easy listening intro music that fits the theme of your site, even sound effects if done right can make a tremendous difference in the way your message sounds. Remember to use music that is royalty free or music you have rights to use. Placing your favorite Beatles song on your website could get you in trouble. You can find several royalty free music resources here. www.web-audio-reviews.com/royalty-free-music.htm
Commandment #8
Have a point! This may sound obvious, but many people place audio on their website just because they can and for no other reason. No one cares about how fancy your audio is if it doesn't have much of a point to it. Have a purpose and reason for using audio.
Commandment #9
Tell people to listen to your audio! Just having an audio button on your website isn't good enough. You need to tell people what they will hear, what it's about, how long it is, and where to click to listen. Don't assume people will figure it out on their own, people need to be told what to do online, and the same goes for telling them to listen to your audio. Also, by telling visitors the length of your message they won't be afraid to listen to it because they will know how long it is. Research has shown that sometimes people will not listen to an audio message in fear that it may be too long. If it is a long message then tell your visitors so they will be prepared for an hour long audio message.
Commandment #10
Test your audio! Don't just place audio on your website thinking it will increase sales. Test it out, get opinions from your visitors, friends, and family, and then do split testing. Find out if the sales are greater with your audio. If you don't split test your site with different audio messages and without audio then you will never know if it's helping or hurting your website.
To place streaming audio on your site, as well as find a wealth of information, voiceover professionals, hosting, tools, and more, visit www.web-audio-reviews.com
Copyright Digital Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved
Publishing and Re-Print Guidelines:
The article text, resource box, URLs and copyright information must be left intact and unchanged. When re-published online, all links must be live hyperlinks. This article may not be distributed in any manner that does not comply with federal communication guidelines. This article must not be password protected or limited to membership or paid-only viewing. This article must remain free. These guidelines should NOT be included when re-publishing this article.
Latest News
Fraunhofer IIS Delivers True End-to-End Internet Radio and Mobile Audio ... Business Wire (press release) In addition, Fraunhofer's solutions for mobile audio streaming, Internet radio and digital broadcasting are optimized for various platforms and operating ... |
 The Age | Rumour clip - Easy A The Age Websites in the Fairfax Digital Network offer streaming video and audio in the Flash format. Streaming media allows you to watch video on a website as a ... |
 CNET | Netflix still after first-run films CNET Until you can stream FULL 1080P with HD Audio without any kind of buffering, I won't be interested in streaming at all until then. ... |
First Look: Flash Media Server 4 StreamingMedia.com ... as application-level multicast "provides one (or a few) -to[o]-many streaming of continuous live video and audio live video chat using RTMFP groups. ... Adobe Highlights Video Innovations at IBC 2010 |
 Mashable (blog) | Apple and BridgeCo Bring iTunes to Every Stereo in Your House Mashable (blog) AirPlay will offer more than just wireless music streaming; beginning with iOS 4.2, users will also be able to stream video and audio content to an Apple TV ... Apple teams with BridgeCo on iPhone, iPod, iPad AirPlay streaming to third ... |
 Telegraph.co.uk | Apple TV swings hard but misses CNNMoney In fact, with iOS's new Airplay feature, which allows video, photos, and audio to stream from iPhones and iPads to Apple TV, someone, somewhere in the halls ... Apple's new Apple TV: Hit or miss? Apple TV 2.0: Apple's potentially hidden winner The Leaning Tower of Ping: How iTunes Could Be Apple's Undoing |
 The Hindu | Watch Apple September 1 Event Live Video Stream and Audio QuickPWN (blog) watch Apple September 1 Event Live Video Stream with Audio tomorrow, September 1, at 10:00 AM PDT or 1:00 PM EST time. Just go here to watch the music event ... iOS 4.2 for iPad coming in November, adds wireless printing and Air Play Apple iPod Event: Rumor vs. Reality Apple confirms Sep 1 event for 'new iPods, iTunes' |
 Leave The Hall | SLIPKNOT's TAYLOR Discusses Passing Of PAUL GRAY, New STONE SOUR Album With ... Blabbermouth.net Listen to the program in streaming audio at the Triple J web site: Windows Media, Real Media (NOTE: The first part of the Taylor interview begins around the ... STONE SOUR's COREY TAYLOR Talks NFL With Canada's THE SCORE - Sep. 7, 2010 |
 GoMarquette.com | GoMarquette.com To Feature Live Video Streaming For Volleyball GoMarquette.com Local radio personality Kyle Dlabay will handle the play-by-play duties and the live stream will include complete audio/video coverage from the opening ... |
Maria Watches Over Us Anime Gets Streamed Mania Each episode, beyond the first two, will stream for a limited time, and all episodes will be presented with Japanese audio and a subtitle track that retains ... |
Resources
-
Streaming Media
Create Streaming Audio and Video with Media players that do not require a Streaming media server.
-
Web Audio Plus - Instantly Add Streaming Audio To Your Site With No Monthly Fees!
Explode your sales from WebVoice-increse your sales traffic.
-
Learn how to add Streaming Audio and video media to your website for just cents in the dollar. - Ho
Learn how to add Streaming Audio and video media to your website for just cents in the dollar. All stand alone software.
-
Audio Maker Pro
The Easiest Way To Put Streaming Audio On Your Website!
-
Easily add Audio to web site with web Audio plus - Web Audio Plus - Instantly Add Streaming Audio To
Click Here to Order Web Audio Plus Now. Have you ever wondered how to add Streaming web Audio to your website without the hassle of montly fees? We
-
Record online radio to MP3 - Radio2MP3 Streaming internet radio recorder software Audio.
Internet Radio Recorder - Record Streaming Audio and online radio stations to MP3/WMA/WAV. Download new music without using peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.
-
Web Audio Plus - Add Streaming Audio To Your Website
Add Streaming Audio to your website or auction. Voice or MP3 files. Very simple and easy to use.