Sound can be powerful. Music, voice, and video can add emotion or explanation when used thoughtfully. But automatic sound on a website is usually risky.
People may visit your site from work, a quiet room, a barn office, a waiting area, a phone in public, or a shared computer. Unexpected sound can be jarring.
Let visitors choose
If your website includes audio or video, give people control. Let them press play. Do not force sound to start automatically when the page loads.
Think about accessibility and context
Some visitors cannot hear the audio. Others cannot play it where they are. Provide captions, transcripts, or written summaries when audio or video contains important information.
Use sound when it serves a purpose
- A product demonstration
- A client education video
- A podcast or interview
- A guided explanation
- A portfolio piece where sound is part of the work
Sound should support the message, not surprise the visitor. A professional website gives people control and keeps the main information available even when sound is off.