Webmaster

Embedding Music (Sound) on Your Pages

I. There are many ways to embed music on a web page

Embedded music usually means music that plays when a web page loads.  This is a cute feature that can add to the presentation of page, but it can also create problems, frustrate visitors, and reduce your web traffic.  Before moving-on let's list the ways you can present music to a visitor.

Your visitor opens your web page and...
1. Embedded music starts automatically, without controls to start/stop the music
2. Embedded music starts automatically, but there are included controls to start/stop the music
3. Embedded music does not start automatically but there are included controls to start/stop music
4. There is no embedded music but s/he sees an anchor tag that can be clicked to download the music

All of these methods have pros and cons, but let's look at legal and technical issues first.

II. Consider the legal issues before you play music on your web page

Do I have permission from the author to copy their song on my page?

Many independent artists like their music to be embedded on as many pages as possible (since it builds their fame), but they may want you to link directly to the original song on their server as opposed to making a copy. In addition, they may want you to give them credit and provide a link back to their page.  Other artists do not want their songs embedded or linked and would consider doing so a copyright violation. 

III. Consider the technical issues before you  play music on your web page

Normally embedded music forces your visitor to download the music file. This is because embedded music downloads with the page, even before the user clicks on it. That might be OK if your music file is small or your visitor has a fast connection. If not, you risk turning away visitors because your page loads too slow. If you must include a large music file then embed it towards the bottom of your page. This will cause the rest of the page to load first. However this is another option, an M3U or RAM playlist.

Playlists embed and stream music. Because of this streaming capability m3u and RAM playlists are by far the preferred method. I'll talk about how to create playlists later.

Finally, before embedding music consider the simple solution. Use an anchor tag.  An anchor tag does not start the download until the user clicks it.  Windows PCs will give the user an option to either download or play the file. Below is an example. Simply change HREF to the URL (web address) of your music file. Change My Music Sample to the name of your music file.

IV. Pros and cons of embedding music. 

Before beginning ask yourself these questions: 

What am I trying to accomplish with my music? 
Does the music relate something important about me or my web page?
Does the music increase the value of my page?
What if my visitors have their own music playing when they arrive?
Would visitors be more or less likely to return to my page if I am playing music?
If I use option 1, would users feel like I am forcing my music on them?
Would a simple anchor tag accomplish my purpose?
What is going to be the cost to the user in terms of page download?

V. What to embed

If you don't know what format or level of quality to embed then visitthis page.