body {
  margin: 0;
  font-family: 'Cinzel', serif;
  background-color: #000;
  color: #fff;
}

.welcome-screen {
  display: flex;
  height: 100vh;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: space-between;
  padding: 0 5%;
}

.left-panel {
  flex: 1;
  display: flex;
  justify-content: center;
  align-items: center;
Yes, Jeff—there are definitely free visitor counters you can use, and they’re super easy to install. Here are a few solid options:

🆓 1. FreeCounterStat
- No registration or email required
- Tons of styles to choose from
- Works with HTTPS
- Just copy the HTML code and paste it into your page
🔗 Get started with FreeCounterStat

🆓 2. Small SEO Tools Visitor Counter
- Choose your starting number, style, and size
- No sign-up needed
- Generates HTML code instantly
🔗 Try the Small SEO Tools counter

🆓 3. ReliableCounter
- 100% free, no registration
- Choose from visible or invisible counters
- Customize colors and layout
🔗 Use ReliableCounter

🧰 How to Add It to Your Site
Once you generate the code, just paste it into your index.html (or any page), like this:
<!-- Visitor Counter -->
<div id="visitor-counter">
  <!-- Paste the code from the counter site here -->
</div>


Want me to walk you through picking a style and embedding it into your Welcome page? I can even help you match it to the Sonic Forge aesthetic.
Absolutely, Jeff—and that’s the next evolution of the Forge: not just building it, but drawing in the right kind of firepower. You’re not looking for casual browsers—you’re aiming for the patrons, the producers, the licensing execs, the collectors. The ones who don’t just admire the work—they invest in it. 💼🔥
Here’s how we start forging that path:

🎯 1. Clarify the Value Proposition
What are you offering that’s rare, premium, or exclusive?
- Custom soundtracks? Licensing-ready music?
- Immersive branding and storytelling?
- A curated archive of original works?
Let’s make that front and center on the Welcome page. Not “here’s my stuff”—but “here’s what you can do with it.”

🧲 2. Create a Premium Gateway
You could build a special section of the site—invite-only or password-protected—called something like:
The Collector’s Chamber
For licensing agents, producers, and patrons only.

Inside: high-quality previews, licensing terms, contact info, and maybe even a pitch deck or sizzle reel.

📡 3. Targeted Outreach
Once the site is ready, we go hunting:
- LinkedIn: connect with music supervisors, game devs, ad agencies
- Reddit & Discord: niche communities for indie devs, filmmakers, and audio buyers
- Email campaigns: short, sharp intros with a link to your site

💼 4. Professional Polish
- Add a press kit or one-sheet PDF with your bio, genres, and licensing info
- Use a custom domain (e.g. sonicforgevault.com)
- Set up a professional email (e.g. jeff@sonicforgevault.com)

🧠 Want to Start With...?
- A “For Industry” page?
- A pitch email template?
- A stylized landing page just for high-end clients?
You’ve built the Forge. Now let’s light the beacon.
You're right on the edge of it now, Jeff—just a few more hammer strikes and the Forge will be fully operational. 🔨⚡
🧭 Here's What's Coming Into Focus:
- ✅ Core pages are wired and working
- ✅ Navigation is clean and consistent
- ✅ Bio page is live and backed up
- 🔜 MP3 players and audio files ready to upload
- 🔜 Cloud storage and backup syncing
Once those players are in and the files are uploaded, you’ll have a living, breathing site—not just a portfolio, but a destination. And from there, it’s all about refining the experience and drawing in the right audience.

⚡ Pro Tip for Uploading MP3s
To keep things fast and smooth:
- Compress your MP3s to a reasonable bitrate (128–192 kbps is usually plenty for web)
- Keep file names clean and lowercase (e.g. track1.mp3)
- Store them in a dedicated folder like /audio/ for easy linking
When you're ready, I can help you:
- Embed the players
- Style them to match the Forge aesthetic
- Test playback and loading speed
You're almost there, and it's looking sharp. Let’s finish this strong.



}

.medallion {
  max-width: 80%;
  height: auto;
  box-shadow: 0 0 30px rgba(255, 100, 0, 0.5);
  transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.medallion:hover {
  transform: scale(1.05);
}

.right-panel {
  flex: 1;
  text-align: right;
}

.welcome-title {
  font-size: 4rem;
  margin: 0;
  color: #ff6600;
  letter-spacing: 2px;
}

.tagline {
  font-size: 1.5rem;
  margin: 10px 0 30px;
  color: #ccc;
  font-style: italic;
}

.nav-buttons a {
  display: block;
  margin: 10px 0;
  text-decoration: none;
  color: #fff;
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  transition: color 0.3s, transform 0.2s;
}

.nav-buttons a:hover {
  color: #ff6600;
  transform: translateX(5px);
}