Flash websites aren’t a new concept in the web world. However, over the past few years, more and more sites are integrating Flash into their overall site design. Is this something to consider?
Well, first of all, it’s important to know that Flash is fairly ubiquitous on computers now, so most people will be able to view Flash content. It is estimated that more than 97% of all computers ship with Flash players installed. And Flash is… well, flashy! It can provide movement and dramatic impact to your website, tell a clear story in a small amount of space, and engage your visitor’s imagination. When well done, Flash can invoke a sense that your company is at the top of the market in a way that static websites simply cannot accomplish.
However, there are some considerations when considering Flash for your website:
- Websites coded entirely in Flash are less accessible than html. If a computer doesn’t have Flash, visitors won’t see your site unless they download the Flash plugin. You may not realize this, but some companies, especially larger ones, don’t allow Flash to be loaded onto corporate computers. Also, search engines often can’t index Flash content. Finally, for people with disabilities, Flash is not capable of being altered for content accessibility.
- Many people want to take advantage of Flash to add audio components to their websites. This is great, except you must consider whether people who are surfing at work, (especially in a cubicle) would appreciate your website vocally announcing that they are surfing the web instead of working! Additionally, many companies remove all sound cards on their corporate computers.
- Complex Flash animations can add tremendous bandwidth to your site and slow load time.
That being said, when done well, Flash is a great idea! We normally recommend using Flash components integrated into html, rather than coding a site exclusively in Flash.
By using Flash objects, you can enjoy all the benefits of Flash, without suffering any of the limitations. For example you might want to add a Flash introduction to your homepage, while maintaining the rest of your site in html. This is a bonus because you can add Flash to your site without completely redesigning your website! If you are considering adding Flash, let us know.
We’re happy to discuss all the possibilities.
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