Things to Know About Flash Websites
Building an effective website required a good deal of planing and preparation.
Previously, web developers relied on Flash to deliver highly dynamic content over the web. With the rapid evolution of browser technology, feature-rich sites can now be built using a combination of HTML, Javascript and CSS. By using these browser-native scripting languages, developers can create captivating sites while avoiding the following common problems with Flash:
SEO: The problem with Flash is that it can’t be fully indexed by the search engines. So, stay away from it if your website strategy has any SEO expectations.
- Browsing on mobile devices: Majority of mobile devices don’t support Flash—including the highly sought after iPhone and a new web browsing device, iPad.
- Text selection: Flash is good for enhancing a story but not telling it. If your site offers information that people would want to select, copy and paste text, then using Flash is inadvisable.
- Web browser functionally: With a full Flash sites, users won’t be able to use back and forward button and browser search function (Command + F)
- Flash is currently not a W3 standard and elements simply do not exist for the data centers to evaluate what a site is about. -Flash SEO
Some people argue that they build flash sites simply to maximize the web experience.
However there are options. Here are some example of non-flash sites that deliver a comparable experience to Flash-based sites:
TavernBowl.com: Dynamic background and interactive location map.
Panic.com: Highly interactive feature map.
YouTube and Vimeo both offer HTML5 player—Flash isn’t required to view videos.
Web developers should carefully consider the needs of their clients and target audience before building a website. Since Flash is supported on a limited number of mobile devices, and isn’t SEO-friendly, it may limit the number of visitors to the site.
Good post!
to add — Flash is not accessible for those who read the internet via a screen reader, such as visually impaired persons. This makes it almost impossible for them to navigate a site that has flash links or flash navigation.
Even Adobe’s website isn’t built in Flash. Only in the rarest of circumstances does it make sense to use Flash for an entire site.
Chris Bauer´s last blog ..Working hard? Attract the attention your blog or website deserves!
Exactly, Chris. Adobe has, however, picked some odd places to use Flash…
The Adobe Store is inexplicably built entirely in Flash. It’s slow, doesn’t react to my scroll wheel, doesn’t allow me to open links in new tabs, and the browser back/forward buttons occasionally don’t work properly. Why on earth would any company build a web store entirely in Flash?
https://store1.adobe.com/cfusion/store/index.cfm?store=OLS-US&storeRegion=US&nr=0&promoid=FCRWM#store=OLS-US&catID=SPECIALS&loc=en_us&view=ols_cat
Kuler by Adobe — besides the poorly rendered text, everything on the site is easily doable using nothing but HTML/Javascript/CSS:
http://kuler.adobe.com
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Thanks ’st.catharines seo’
I will post on universal accessibility, how the blind see the web —this also makes another point on how flash sites failed to deliver the information. Stay tune.
I am not here to argue about the seo capabilities of flash. I agree that flash is not SEO freindly but having flash on your site WILL NOT KILL your SEO capabilities. Flash is the same concept as pictures. If you use any type of flash the next words below the flash can give it value. I have had much success for customers using flash. As long as the search engines can still follow the links to all of your pages they will index the page. This is why it is always recommended to have your sitemap in your footer.
Chris´s last blog ..Be Aware of SEM Scams
I completely agree! Flash is an amazing product and great if you’re not wanting to optimzie the site for organic traffic. Otherwise Flash can be a nightmare.
Thanks! Stoney
It depends on what the designer is using to create the site with. For instance I use Wix, they have come a long way just this year in developing! I even gained another client because I can achieve more with flash that I can’t with non flash sites. I have built a few flash websites and always disclose that its not for everyone but if someone is looking for something different, and wants to stand out- depending on what their business is- it could be a great fit! Oh and there is a mobile version that IS visible even though their main website is flash. You CAN select text on the ones I build using Wix… I love using flash and my clients do as well!