Audio on your website is a Trend for 2006 as quoted by numerous internet news sites, marketing sites, research sites and marketing gurus. There are many things you should know about streaming audio on your website. These tips can save you plenty of money on wasted resources you don't need.

Tip One

You will profit from using audio on your website! Already statistical studies are showing that audio on your website: increases traffic, increases sales, increases time spent on your site, and builds relationships with your customers, which builds loyalty.

You build your business, your services, or products, your list and your profit margins!

Tip Two

You can add a simple audio to your website with two pieces of equipment: a computer and a microphone. You can use a headset microphone or desktop type microphone that connects to your computer. Most people already have a good headset so need no extra equipment.

For those that need to purchase a microphone be sure to do your homework on that. The cost will depend on the quality of audio you want to do and how much audio you plan on streaming. If you are doing a lot of audio streaming (as many small and large businesses are doing for training and communication purposes) you'll then need more advanced equipment (different type of microphone, mixers, and more).

Tip Three

You can do it with free software that you can download over the internet. Once again, don't pay for something you don't need. You can stream audio or video over the internet with that free software. Find reliable resources with well-known or name brand providers.

Tip Four

You have to start somewhere with streaming media (audio and video) on your website. So at least start with audio. It is simple and it's not expensive to start with small audio streams on your site. Starting with audio is a great way to introduce media. You can then look at adding video when you feel a little more comfortable with it all.

Tip Five

Audio is a phenomenal promotional tool so use it as such. Do an ad for your website with an audio button and your picture, or your product picture and your URL, and then use that for affiliates or JV partners to use on their websites.

For example: If your website was on dog grooming you could use an audio to introduce your site and tell how visitors can come to your site to get free tips on grooming their dog, or teaching dog obedience.

Tip Six

It was announced on the evening news a few weeks ago that the internet is a potential 'den of thieves' if you don't know who you are dealing with. Use audio to introduce who your company or business is. People relate to real people! Let them hear your voice. It doesn't matter what that voice sounds like, it's your voice and you are a real person.

You can use it to introduce yourself, your site, services, products, news and information. Let people know if you are licensed, an expert, knowledgeable about what is on your site, your background and more. Why they should trust you is very important for any site.

Tip Seven

Use audio creatively on your site! Have an email to send out; do that email in audio. Have articles on your site; offer them in audio. Have a blog on your site; do it in audio. People are busy and like to multi-task, and may rather listen to your article while they do something else.

Have products to sell, or an order page? Give directions in audio, and be specific. Have some information to share? Offer it in audio. Get the point? Anything you market or do on your site can have audio associated with it. Test it yourself. Try the page with audio and then try it without audio, and keep track of the difference. Testing is important and will show you that audio increases time spent on site.

Anything that brings in more traffic, keeps customers longer on site, with more customer loyalty and is free to do is a no-brainer! Why wouldn't you do it?

Copyright 2006 Cathy Linderman