Computer and High-Tech Equipment

GOLD: Web Channel

Musiciansfriend.com

If you're “with the band,” or even just a wanna-be, chances are you're a fan of Musician's Friend. The merchant's catalog is a must-read for budding and professional musicians; its Gold-Award-winning Website is a must-visit.

WHY IT WON A GOLD AWARD AWARD: Musician's Friend serves up a robust site with multiple offers and incentives and logical layout. The filtering is superb, with multiple choices for sorting. And its “compare” feature and user reviews make it easy to shop.

Flat out, the folks at MusiciansFriend.com know how to sell product. Its robust merchandising packs a punch, and it offers great promos with its “Hot Deals” and “Stupid Deal of the Day.” The site offers multiple ways to navigate to products, such as by instrument or by artist. And the copy is fun: “It's insightful and light, but uses technical information when it's needed,” said one of the judges.

IDEA TO STEAL: MusiciansFriend.com makes great use of customer comments and hands-on product reviews, iPhone apps, videos, newsletters and lots more. And it's all done without sacrificing the e-commerce experience. — TP

Creative director: Jason Cave

Marketing director: So Young Park

Webmaster: Portia Becker

Website designer: Tom Boyles

Search engine marketing: Shanti Shunn

Copywriter: Marty Paule

Photographer/illustrator: Dave Blees

Brand manager: Julie Fletcher

Online production: Jim Haley