Pros and Cons of Adding Sound to Web Pages
 

Sound on Web pages can be a contentious issue. Some Web designers feel that it should never be used on Web pages, while others feel that there is always a use for sound to improve and enhance designs.
 

Sound on Web pages is a very contentious subject.

Many people hate sound of any kind on Web pages, and even people who don't mind sound tend to hate automatic background music - especially if there are no controls to turn it off. So, before you add sound to your Web pages, you should be very sure that it serves a purpose and ads value.

Musician and artists pages

Any Web site for a musician or video artist will need sound to showcase their work. These sites do best with links to the music and videos rather than having them auto play.
 

Game Web sites

Most online games incorporate sound in some fashion. Sound provides interactivity and makes games more fun. But you should have a home page that doesn't have sound, and perhaps a warning if the sounds are loud or start automatically without any muting available.
 

Forms, especially Ajax forms

Sound can enhance Ajax and Web 2.0 pages by letting customers know that something has happened. For example, buttons can make a click sound when they are pressed and subtle timer sounds can help let the customer know that the Web site is processing something. Be careful not to overdo this - keep it simple and use the sounds to enhance rather than overwhelm.

Web pages aimed at children
Web sites designed for children might use sound to make the site more stimulating and engaging for an audience that has a shorter attention span. Sounds and background music can make pages more engaging and interesting. Remember that children have parents, and they may be annoyed by sound that cannot be turned off, even if the kids love it.
 

When Not to Use Sound

You should always be careful when you use sound on Web pages. After intrusive advertising, sound that turns on automatically and cannot be turned off is one of the most annoying aspects of poorly designed Web pages.

Know your audience.

If you don't have a pressing need to use sound, then you probably shouldn't. And remember that even though you might feel that your spa Web site needs the same background music that they would get when they come in for a facial, the reality is that your customers are probably at work when they visit your site. And sound is an immediate indication that they are not looking up the latest projections on GDP in Patagonia. Most customers immediately hit the back button when they come to a site with auto-play background music.