TubeNet

I thought I would pick everyone's collective brains about websites since I'm going to want my own sometime soon. I guess this is a two-part question for those who have one currently:

(1) I've seen several web design services that cater specifically to musicians. Is there a decided advantage to going this route as opposed to hiring just any old designer off the street?

(2) If one wants to sell sheet music, recordings, etc. oneself, how does that complicate things? (i.e. from a legal standpoint, and assuming it is all original music and hence copyright isn't an issue)
Are all "dot-coms" businesses, or is there more involved in starting the site if money is changing hands?

Thanks.f

My experience has taught me this: Have an expert build your sight but make sure you are closely involved with its layout. Keep it as simple and easy to understand and do what you can to keep it simple to navigate. If the customer has to wade through a bunch of crap to find what they are looking for, they will most likely move on to another site. Finally, it is important to learn to maintain the site yourself. I have had web-masters who maintained my site and found them to be awkward to work with and slow at making the alterations to the pages the way I envisioned them. Many have great technical skill but things like artistic talent along with practical and common sense at times are lacking but not always. A good well planed site will last and need only to be updated as product availability and information come and goes. Learning to do your own maintenance is not difficult once you get the hang of it. I have learned this first hand. taking care of you own site saves money and keeps control in your hands, where it belongs.

Daniel C. Oberloh
Oberloh Woodwind and Brass Works
web site sinse 1997
www.oberloh.com

In line with some of Mr. Oberloh's suggestions, make sure they stay away for rage of the week junk. Use text mostly, forget background sounds (yuck), and sane colors (best if left to the user/browser defaults)

Do not use flash or java unless absolutely needed. I for one have flash and jave turned off in my browser most of the time. Static pages are your friend. Real HTML files, not active server pages, be they ASP, JSP, or even PHP scripting.

Stay away for OS specfic plugins and proprietary stuff. You'll aleinate a lot of people. And give other headaches. Example, don't use Windows Media or Quicktime formats. RealMedia is a much better choice, since the player is available for many more systems. MP3 is still iffy, but genrally OK now. I'm a fan of ogg-vorbis over mp3 and wma for audio. At least offer more than one format. Same goes for really cool plugings (or extension) that few people have.

The K.I.S.S. principle is you friend. If it's followed, you be able to maintain the site yourself, or find a replacement when the builder go away. (I've seen may site redesigned because the webmaster left and the new guy though a redesign was easier than figuring out the old site)