Own Flash
FLASH is appropriate in a business website?
The short answer is maybe. The long answer is that the question might be better asked, "Is 100% web site, flash appropriate in business? ". The answer to this question, in my humble opinion, is not at all. In fact, we had several customers come to us this year that 100% of web sites, Flash going to completely remake their web sites, because they simply do not work for them. Are having problems with the engines Search and customers can not see their web sites.
Of course, they do work in visual terms. If you visit a website, Flash will see. The fact that a visitor can see the web site does not automatically mean that the website is working for your business.
What is Flash?
Flash is technology developed by Macromedia, a leading web development tools. Flash movies are a compilation of many images, elements and text which is compiled into a nice, tight little digital file which is then put on the internet. Some designers create entire web sites using this technology. Graphic designers quite like the technology because it provides a great opportunity to showcase the talent that is by developing interactive, moving, and frankly some very entertaining web sites. Remember though, that the purpose of your business website is to communicate with their customers and prospects, not to show everyone what a talented designer you hired.
Flash What is good?
Flash is great as an addition to some graphic elements of a business website. Recently, the ability of web administrators to collect digital audio and video in Flash movies has been simplified and is used to stream flash video is a great example of perfect use Flash on a website business.
Another example of where Flash is used well and is well received at the websites that are about presentation and not the information. For example, a rock band, kids sites, little games, a photo gallery, a movie clip are all places where Flash is particularly appropriate.
Does Flash have a place on the Internet? Absolutely, but despite a buyer website, you must ask the question, "do not have a flash in my business website? "
Everyone can see Flash
The short answer is no. Although widely available and a component of most web browsers, when installed, not everyone has flash installed on your web browser. If a visitor does not have a flash plug-in on your PC visit a site that requires the plug-in Flash, the web browser will be asked to install it. PC and Web visitors is probably wise to go ahead and do it, but some users (like my mother) panic if it appears pop-up window asks you a question and turn away, or browse away, thinking that only your PC infected with latest doomsday. All that said, a large percentage of people can view Flash without much anxiety.
Things to consider
The Flash Intro Splash
Flash is commonly used to "splash" pages or "doorway pages" on web sites. We've all seen the cartoon or commercial takes us to a web site more traditional marketing. Have you ever wondered why the Flash designer almost always gets a "skip intro" button on this page? I think it's because they know that if they do not allow people jumping from the Flash splash screen that will lose the visitor. Remember that most Internet users are impatient and are usually looking for information, no other business. People to its main website and do it quickly.
The trend of using 'splash' pages has declined in the last two years as the Internet has matured. It is my belief, widely shared, if your site is information about the property, then a screen income is only an obstacle on the way to its visitors.
The search engine
Search engines send automated robots called "Spiders" that crawl through the internet and create massive databases of web pages. People and search the web pages based on keywords are embedded in the web page hidden tags as well as in the text at the website itself. If it's important for people to find your site, then is important for you to create a well-written text and links on their web pages that search engines can find, read and follow. Search engines can not see text in a Flash page. Search engines can not see the hyperlinks in the pages of flash and therefore can not follow the links. Your website does not seem very Most major search engines because a search engine of your website will consist of one page and the information is relevant only to the engine search can see is your meta tags if they exist.
Having said all that, there are certainly ways to get a Flash site indexed and cataloged by a search engine. It just is not the easiest thing to do and is likely to require search engine optimization specialist to help you.
Reciprocal linking
If you are so kind to put links on your site to other web sites then you are providing a "vote of confidence" in terms of positioning in search engines. The more websites that link to a website, in the eyes of search engine, makes the most important linked website. Taking that a step further there, the most important web site linking to you the higher the ranking potential of your site receives. Likewise, the sites provide a link reciprocal effect to its "vote of confidence" and in turn make your site more important.
Remember what I said earlier? Search engines can not see when hypertext links embedded in flash. Thus, although the links are seen that do not contribute to the perception of the search engines how valuable your website can be for the world and as a result all the votes "of confidence" will be lost.
Make sure that the people who provide a link from your web site is not embedded in a flash page. Links must be in pure HTML, or Hyper-Text Markup Language. If you are providing links to other websites on your site the same applies to you, use HTML.
Do not break my back button
All web browsers have a back button. As software users, and more specifically as navigators, using the back button as a matter of routine. It is good practice as a web developer not to "break the back button. Unfortunately due to the nature of Flash, the back button does not work to maintain navigation in the flash website.
Create bookmark if you
People like to make Internet pages that they can return to them later. Internet users do not always bookmark the page index or homepage of a website. For example, if your site has a nifty currency converter or a mortgage calculator well in it, people simply may want to mark just that page. You can not make an internal page within a Flash site. Only bookmark the home page. Try it. Visit site 100% Flash Web, browse a bit, then try to bookmark the page you are viewing. It does not work, they literally have not changed since the time pages they first arrived at the site, who have simply "played the animation, which made it appear as if you were to different pages.
Cost
The cost of developing a traditional marketing web site graphic design standard, HTML and text in most cases less expensive than using Flash. If you're a designer intends to use Flash, the question, "How much do the same without flash?".
Making revisions and updates
If you have your website, built 100% in Flash, you have subscribed to a certain set of design skills. If you want to make revisions, if you will need to use someone who can work within Flash. The same theory applies if your web site images, HTML and text. The clear difference is that there is much more webmasters who work with the most Flash later. In addition, people usually have more time to make revisions to Flash sites and as a result the cost of maintenance can be very strong.
Files source
Flash source files are the heart of a flash movie, item, or web site. The file names will be something like mywebsite.FLA. This is the native source files without compiling a Flash file. Once the designer is ready to deploy the flash file to the web server is compiled in a different format. File compiled in our example would be called mywebsite.SWF.
So to clarify, the original artwork and design work on it. FLA file format and final that goes into the web server. SWF.
I see over and over again where the designer does not provide the client with the source file for your flash elements or on the website. Protect to files. FLA, and guess what, you go to them for updates and revisions. No matter how talented your webmaster or designer is new, if you have the code source with the extension. FLA Flash to your site will be able to update it. You should ask your designer to provide the source file, if you decide to use Flash elements on your website.
A final note on Flash
Please do not interpret my words here that I'm "anti-flash" the fact that is, it really is a technology of mass media. If you have the budget and want to develop your website using 100% pure flash, there are some things you can do to mitigate some of the pitfalls described here.
Use a javascript to detect the visitor's browser capabilities and ensure Flash has the Flash plug-in support in place. If the result of this simple test is "no, do not support Flash," then you have to do is direct an alternative web site based on HTML content. So, although you can overcome the missing Flash plug-in you have to have two websites designed (Flash and HTML than one).
Summary
Flash is a great design tool to add items to your web site to 'spice up your life. "
Flash is ideal for delivery of rich media such as audio and video.
Use the theory, adding flash on your site, do not add your website and will flash to light a great experience to its visitors.
If your website is about providing information, which the information first and second design. Web sites offering quality content is not necessary to move, laugh, open and close, click and hum.
About the Author
By David West of eKzact Solutions Inc. www.eKzact.com… “We Put Small Business Online” Helping small business to jump start their online success, profit and growth. We make putting your business online affordable!
http://www.eKzact.com… sign up for our Free newsletter on-line Call 1-866-WEBB-123… or email info@ekzact.com
© eKzact Solutions Inc. 2005
David West is a Director and the operating partner of eKzact Solutions Inc. A full service web site design and web-application development company. eKzact Solutions puts small and medium sized business online! Visit us at http://eKzact.com
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