Suggestion: Rebranding MuseScore

• Oct 11, 2023 - 07:15

Here are two things that happen fairly frequently: First, the topic of music notation software comes up, and I enthusiastically recommend MuseScore. Second, they follow up with me a little while later in total confusion, or ask me if it's worth upgrading their membership, or ask me for help with the mobile app, or... you get the idea. And I apologize for the confusion and explain that the software they want is available at musescore.org, not musescore.com.

As I said, this happens a lot. It's kind of irritating, but more than that, I feel genuinely bad for the people who waste time going down the wrong path. (I'm curious if I'm the only person who comes across this, or if my experience is similar to others.) I've come to the conclusion that it might be worth rethinking the way MuseScore is branded so as to avoid confusion.

So here's my suggestion: I'd highly recommend rebranding (i.e., changing the name and the website) for either of the MuseScore programs—either the notation software or the score-sharing platform. That way, people who are looking for one are more likely to find what they're looking for rather than the one they're not. I'm not saying they shouldn't be connected or "related," just that there could be a change made in the branding to more clearly distinguish between the two programs. My humble suggestion would be to keep the notation software as is, but rebrand the score-sharing platform (I'm not the best at this type of thing, but I don't think MuseShare has a bad ring to it), but the important thing is that the people looking for one find what they want quickly, easily, and with no confusion.

I know this is a big suggestion, and the sort of thing that is likely to ruffle some feathers, but at the very least, I think it warrants further discussion and consideration. Thanks.


Comments

I get it. This has been an on-going problem. I'm not sure what the answer is. It's only natural to type (site-you-are-looking-for).com. But there is nothing there about notation software.
I notice that when I search for musescore the first thing I see is Musescore download. Which is what I would want. I have almost no interest in the .com site.

Here's another idea: Put a very clear link to the other site at the top of each page. For example, on musescore.com, it could read: "If you're looking for music notation software, please go to www.musescore.org." And on musescore.org, "If you're looking for the score sharing platform, please go to www.musescore.com." Just something to highlight the differences and make it that much easier for first-timers to find what they're looking for.

It is confusing for a single brand-name to refer to two very different things – even if the two things are related. For instance, the sharing service might be called "ShareScore." (Recognizably similar, but different and descriptive.) I agree with the idea that one or the other should be renamed, and I definitely think that the music-scoring software portion should retain the name.

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