The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening pages only serves to confirm that style often overshadows substance. Sometimes a "flash" in the pan ? often courtesy of Macromedia Corp.'s web animation program ? is simply a flash in the pan.
These often-clever animations succeed in doing two things consistently: 1) wasting precious time getting the information to site visitors and 2) delaying delivery of the message that the company or organization wants visitors to see.
Effective web design relies on communicating information and the message in an attractive, efficient manner. The concept of "you only get one chance to make a good first impression" is jeopardized when a new visitor has to endure the "loading" message.
Often, the Flash opening has little to do with the reason the visitor typed in the URL or clicked the link in the first place. For example, one marketing firm's homepage opens with a Flash montage featuring a boy looking out over the ocean through a telescope, cats playing on a floor, a close-up of a man's lower face covered with powdered sugar and the interior of a cab festooned with mosaic tile. The relevance of all this to the firm's capabilities as far as meeting marketing communications needs escapes us.
But don't misunderstand. Using programs that add some spice to your site or your message is a smart use of current technology (see www.zyman.com, for example). Designers just have to make sure that your message ? "We can meet your business needs" ? are part of the Flash effort.
Also, make sure that the Flash introduction includes an opt-out link ("Click here to skip intro") and doesn't run for more than 15 seconds or so. The idea is to draw visitors into the site and engage them, not to overwhelm them with cool gimmicks or how much money you spent developing your site.
As non-engineers or non-designers put it, just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should just for the sake of doing so.
Chris Scott heads Hodge Media Group, the custom publishing arm of Hodge Communications, Inc. Hodge specializes in strategic public relations and marketing communications for businesses, entrepreneurs and professional associations.
Formerly an award-winning journalist, he brings over 20 years of experience to client engagements. Subscribe today to Communic@te! our free bimonthly e- newsletter and get a free special report: "Using Buzz To Create a Groundswell For Your Business."
Visit http://www.hodgecommunications.com
shuttle from Midway Glen Ellyn ..Projecting a professional image is paramount to your website's success.... Read More
Hello, how is your website doing?Are sales flowing in?If you... Read More
Creating your own website is actually easy in today's world... Read More
There are more than billions of Web Sites, running Online... Read More
CSS is a new option for website designers that have... Read More
An application is not ready for use unless you have... Read More
Your business website tells a lot about your company. A... Read More
Many websites make the mistake of being all flash and... Read More
This article gives free tips on how to find a... Read More
Content is undoubtedly the most important element of a website.... Read More
~A man [woman] is a success if he [she] gets... Read More
Home PageHome page should clearly indicate what the site is... Read More
No matter what product or service you're promoting, unless you... Read More
See, works every time. Seriously now, for some reason people... Read More
Using CGI scripts to add automation to your web site... Read More
A successful website is something that everyone venturing into the... Read More
While few companies can boast as we do that our... Read More
You have created your custom error page so now all... Read More
An attractive and user-friendly Web site is crucial to attracting... Read More
So you want to build a website here I will... Read More
On the internet we don't deal with face to face... Read More
As a webmaster you already know how important it is... Read More
When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More
Does your website make you any money? Does it SAVE... Read More
Every now and then, I receive a link exchange request... Read More
shuttle from O'Hare North Chicago ..In today's world, a web site is virtually mandatory for... Read More
When I purchase something from a web site I first... Read More
Not too long ago while looking for businesses that do... Read More
If you have a business, big or small you may... Read More
Web usability is perhaps the most important factor in any... Read More
Favorite icon appears to the left of your link in... Read More
You have good traffic, but low client sign ups and... Read More
In the of-line marketing world it is all about trying... Read More
FACT: 30 to 60% of visitors tend to drop off... Read More
No, that's not the real question. The real question is... Read More
Let's face it. Building a web site that browses consistently... Read More
ActiveX uses an interesting method for enforcing security ... it... Read More
Q: Should I build and maintain my business Web site... Read More
If you have a web site to which people pay... Read More
Over the course of the last decade, the Internet has... Read More
Remember your vision for your company and the brand or... Read More
You know that I'm always extolling the virtues of an... Read More
Many people hire professional web site designers for as much... Read More
When JV Media Design was formed, the year was 1995... Read More
Are you looking to create the perfect website? A complete... Read More
Content is the most important part of any website.The Internet... Read More
"How to turn "slightly interested" customers into "I've got to... Read More
These days, it seems that everyone has a website. Unfortunately,... Read More
What is a Website Template?Many smart and savvy businesses are... Read More
So, what's in a website design anyway? And, how do... Read More
Web Design |