Looks like every client wants a Flash site these days but the reality is...as flashy as these sites may look, there are many negatives you may want to consider before delving into Flash.
Deadly Sin One - Long Load Times
This is the most obvious problem with most Flash sites. Flash files can get large in a hurry and if the page takes too long to load, your visitor will move on without even seeing your site. Ideally, you would want your Flash web page to load just as fast as a 'regular' page with text and images. And yes, it can be done!
Problem #1 - Images
The whole reason why Flash was developed was to be able to use vector graphics on web pages. Vector Graphics are infinitely smaller than pixel based images, they can be resized to any size and animated without creating large file sizes. Unfortunately, many designers use regular pixel based graphics like photos in their Flash design and end up with huge files. Rule #1 for good Flash design should be...Use Vector Graphics only!
Problem #2 - Sound
What is a good picture without sound? Once you have this great Flash animated page, you want to add sound to it. This is the #2 culprit resulting in large file sizes and slow loads. The trick here is to use loops. Flash Music Loops are ultra short slices of music, that when looped in Flash play great background music sound tracks that load fast and sound great. You can find Flash Music Loops at http://www.flashmusictracks.com These loops that are near CD quality and most are only 15k or less in size. They also offer a free Flash Music Player that allows for the music to continue playing even if the visitor switches to another page, you can even select a different music track or stop the music at any time while browsing, totally impossible with any normal Flash implementation. Another thing that helps keep file sizes down is to use low-res MP3 files for button effects and sound effects. You don't really need 128k MP3 quality when most computer's speakers will sound just as good with 24k or 32k MP3s. Another easy file size saver...use mono!
Deadly Sin Two - Missing Links
This fact is often overlooked. When you use Flash Buttons and Links, search engines will no longer find your links on the pages. This can be extremely disastrous for your search engine rankings. Search Engines need to be able to follow links to successfully index your site. Plus, the more well placed links the robot finds on your site, the higher your ranking will be. When you use all Flash, you won't have any visible links and you effectively kill any chance of being found on search engines.
What's the answer here? Use a Flash/HTML hybrid page. Even if you have Flash links, still try to duplicate those links on the bottom of the page in HTML code so the search engines can find them.
Deadly Sin Three - Compatibility
This factor used to be important but today it's no longer relevant. In the early days of Flash, many web users didn't have the Flash plug in and they moved on to another site rather than to download and install Flash just to visit your site. This is no longer an issue. 99% of all web users will have browsers that can 'see' Flash pages and you no longer have to design a Flash and Non-Flash Version for your site. If your visitors run for the hills rather than stick around to visit your site it's the load time, not compatibility that is to blame.
So what is a man to do? You want Flash but you still want quick load times and good search engine rankings. It can be done but you need to design your Flash site with all these factors in mind. It is possible to design Flash Pages that actually load faster than many 'regular' pages with lots of graphics. A good hybrid design with enough HTML elements can get you ranked well with the search engines. The FlashMusicTracks website mentioned above is a perfect example. It uses Flash Banners and Logos only, everything else is HTML. The site looks good, sounds good and everything loads very fast.
So, you don't have to be afraid of Flash killing your web business if you use Flash wisely.
About The Author
Article by Alan Steward, Webmaster and Sound Designer at http://www.flashmusictracks.com.
You are free to use this article on your website or in your ezine as long as you do use it in its entirety.
Chicago limo Skokie ..Does your website have a links/resources page?Do you exchange reciprocal... Read More
You know exactly what your organisation does and what your... Read More
Installment 1Developing State-enabled Applications With PHPWhen a user is browsing... Read More
Even with the steady growth of the World Wide Web,... Read More
Revenues are often lost because many business owners don't see... Read More
Do you make your website just to entertain yourself or... Read More
For years now I've been looking to start my own... Read More
The process of Web application development is critical to the... Read More
1) Data CaptureOne easy way to collect e-mail addresses and... Read More
1. The first page appears quickly.It's a good way to... Read More
So what do you do if need to get a... Read More
Although CSS layouts have been around for years, they haven't... Read More
The Disability Discrimination Act states that service providers must not... Read More
Your site is getting traffic, but conversion rates are horrible.... Read More
There are millions and millions of websites on the Internet.... Read More
Your website conversion rate should concern you. This simply refers... Read More
When used to describe a web site, the term "sticky"... Read More
Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More
Profiles are one of the best kept secrets around regarding... Read More
What to put your the website if you are an... Read More
I recently received an unsolicited e-mail from some company offering... Read More
Creating a content management system either from scratch,... Read More
If you are like me you have wanted to build... Read More
"Don't Sell the Steak, Sell the Sizzle."Have you heard of... Read More
What is web accessibility & why is it important?Web accessibility... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Every good Internet business understands the value of conversions versus... Read More
Alternate medicine finds its own place in the hearts and... Read More
Thousands of people are now making a living online and... Read More
As a business you can't afford to ignore the Internet... Read More
Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More
There are many different traffic analysis tools, ranging from simple... Read More
Better Web Site ROIHow to increase your business profitability by... Read More
1. Many people are not getting good or complete advice.... Read More
In my previous life.....Actually, my previous JOB life, I was... Read More
With more and more countries around the world passing laws... Read More
A website is lifeline of internet home business. In order... Read More
Getting a Targeted Visitor to a website is a waste... Read More
Succeeding with an eCommerce website is a dream for many... Read More
You don't believe in astrology but you check your horoscope... Read More
One of the things that many people overlook when building... Read More
What happened on your website yesterday? What about last week... Read More
The Internet is a remarkable publishing medium. With just a... Read More
A website is like an information flow, with you as... Read More
Your ObjectiveYour small business needs an appealing and professional website... Read More
Think up a name and check if yourname.com is available.... Read More
When I set up my website I felt paypal was... Read More
How popular is online shopping? And is there room for... Read More
One of the most useful features offered by some web... Read More
There is an ongoing debate about web copy. Some say... Read More
Having an eye catching website is great, but are you... Read More
Web Development |