State file format

Even though it seems obvious and unnecessary to mention too many Websites and especially music stores are failing to mark their downloads properly. Even crucial purchasable downlads remain unmarked.

If a user starts thinkin: what kind of file format will this song — or the e-book or audiobook –be? Will I be able to use it on my machine? Then there is a real problem.

File formats, especially if it is a proprietary or DRM crippled format, should always be indicated, preferably in the download or purchase link itself. If the (potential) customer becomes usnsure wether he or she is able to use the purchaseable download, the probability for him/her completing the transaction becomes very low. And if the customer then purchases that file, to later find out that his/her device is unsupported, the customer is lost forever. Marking the file properly, and doing so in an easily visible manner, eliminates doubt at an early stage and leaves the attention to the product.

Free downloads should be marked properly too, if you put something online - and want people to download it - then giving the user as much information about the file as possible (and sensible) increases credebility and, again, boosts downloads.

Hiding all downloads will be in .xx format somewhere in the help section would not do anyone any good. It has to at least be on the same page as the download or purchase link. Preferably somewhere in the immediate area to or the link itself.