Flash - Bad Idea?

ddzc · 07-21-2008, 07:44 PM

Hi all,

I was going to build an all flash site here but do you believe this will cause less visitors/revenue due to compatibility issues? I was going to change my mind and do it all html for faster response times and higher traffic ratio b/c they wont have to install flash. I'll be selling services on the site and it will be towards IT/tech savvy people (Highly doubt any of them will be running 56k). I'm more worried about the indexing.

What are your thoughts?

CureCancer · 07-21-2008, 07:48 PM

flash is not search engine friendly, stick to html.. or php

shockie · 07-21-2008, 07:59 PM

avoid using flash for web designing if possible, but if you absolutely have to then use something like swfobject to embed flash files because there's still a good chunk of people (and public terminals) that lack flash players on their browsers.

nasaboy007 · 07-21-2008, 08:12 PM

as mentioned, flash is not at all search engine friendly. there are also a lot of people who don't have flash installed or others who simply keep it disabled. if you have your heart set on having a flash website, i suggest you try to make it so that maybe only parts of it are in flash (such as header, navbar, etc) but the content be in html. php would make it all easy.

hyped · 07-21-2008, 08:14 PM

Google and Yahoo can now apparently index flash sites (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...ash-sites.html)

I would not recommend it, though. I've always hated flash sites for one reason or another. One major reason to hate them is the fact that you can't just copy paste a url and send it to a friend if the url never changes.

I'm pretty sure that it would cost you more to have a flash site developed anyway.

Best of luck!

shockie · 07-21-2008, 08:50 PM

to be more accurate, flash files are only getting partially indexed and .flvs are exempt from this completely.

homebuyer · 07-21-2008, 09:50 PM

Remember to look at how a flash site looks on the iPhone, Blackberry Bold (when it comes out), the Samsung Instinct, and other near like kind phones that show full .com websites before committing to putting flash on your site.

Xavier_3D · 07-21-2008, 10:04 PM

Well don't go for complete Flash. Check mine - www.xyber3dstudios.com - NO ADVERTISING I PROMISE.

I made it all flash, but I added some chunk to my Footer, to actually make it indexable. Go for Flash if you want creativity, but as people already mentioned not all Flash.!

trcgood · 07-22-2008, 02:57 AM

I stick to html too.

**enlytend** · 07-22-2008, 04:53 AM

As others pointed out, Flash is now being indexed better than it used to be...

But I'd avoid an all-flash site because most of them are a poor visitor experience , especially for anyone who just wants to go to your site and find what they need. Tech people will probably be your LEAST patient visitors ... and might be running Firefox with the Flashblock extension besides.

Unless there's real content in the flash (like a demo or tutorial), just say no.

weblord · 07-22-2008, 05:01 AM

flash is all good for headers, that's just about it but don't over do it.

Originally Posted by ddzc

Hi all,

I was going to build an all flash site here but do you believe this will cause less visitors/revenue due to compatibility issues? I was going to change my mind and do it all html for faster response times and higher traffic ratio b/c they wont have to install flash. I'll be selling services on the site and it will be towards IT/tech savvy people (Highly doubt any of them will be running 56k). I'm more worried about the indexing.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/web-design-discussion/495326-flash-bad-idea.html

What are your thoughts?

tinner666 · 07-22-2008, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Xavier_3D

Well don't go for complete Flash. Check mine - www.xyber3dstudios.com - NO ADVERTISING I PROMISE.

I made it all flash, but I added some chunk to my Footer, to actually make it indexable. Go for Flash if you want creativity, but as people already mentioned not all Flash.!

Your site won't load for me. Maybe you have too much flash. I dunno.

dbkooper · 07-22-2008, 05:33 PM

In the past, flash websites means death in SEO. However, adobe recently developed something to help search engines index the flash content. I think both google and yahoo are working towards better flash site indexing

gjvblack · 07-22-2008, 08:57 PM

Since computers today are being upgraded and are fast (in some ways with and without vista), i would say flash is good, but too much will kill your visitor loading patience, computers are fast but some are still on dial-up.

Xavier_3D · 07-22-2008, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by tinner666

Your site won't load for me. Maybe you have too much flash. I dunno.

It was a Server Error. The flash content is hardly 150 Kb. Takes about 3 Seconds over a 56 K Connection. Please check now.

Nathan · 07-22-2008, 10:22 PM

Flash is nice and I personally like using it, but not to build websites. Realistically there are too many compatibility issues and search engine issues for it to be beneficial to use. If you do decide using it, I'd recommend offering a non-flash version of your site too.

ecigs.net · 07-23-2008, 07:25 AM

Flash is fun. I like it for experiments and amusing myself. For everything else, it is html/php.

RTM · 07-23-2008, 09:16 PM

Flash pages are OK as long as they load in sub 0.05s ... anything extremely long (say 0.25s to load is too long)... yes, I know, a bit extreme, but that's the way it is...

When I see preloader for more than .5s loading a page, I instantly hit back... and stats show that many visitors behave in a similar way.

That being said, flash *components* that are properly embedded in an xHTML compliant page can be code.. (witness YouTube and others)....

But...a full Flash site ? blech. Both for users and SEO.... (which go together)...

Just my $0.02.

Rob

lux13 · 07-31-2008, 12:03 PM

some of our clients do not want that the sites have flash, for not to lose speed and security.

Barrucadu · 07-31-2008, 02:29 PM

Definitely do not go for a full Flash site - if you do, you more or less exclude everyone using Linux due to Adobe providing a rather unstable crash-prone Flash plugin for us.

Phoebe_ · 07-31-2008, 08:34 PM

Flash is nice coz it gives drama to the site.. but it won't do good in SE.

*marcusofplymout* · 08-02-2008, 06:33 PM

Xavier, i had a look at your site - just a bit of feedback - it took around 10 secs (my connection is 2 meg) to load.

chrispalko · 08-02-2008, 06:53 PM

Personally, I advise all my clients against Flash (yet, so many think it's the coolest thing ever). I find it a bit annoying in headers (unless it's a short or subtle animation), but I've seen some really nice navigations using Flash.

Entire sites using flash, I don't even waste my time on. I think flash sites are good for showing your graphic design capabilities, but not so much web design.

Either way, if you decide to go entirely flash, try not to make it take too long to download or too overbearing with animations.

digitalmoney · 08-03-2008, 05:05 AM

I wouldn't do an all flash site for several reasons:

- Takes a while to load (depending...)

- It's to busy - make your site clean and simple

- Not search engine friendly

- Takes longer time to develop

Your website should have 1 purpose and 1 purpose only. Not to entertain, not to look nice, but to simply make you money.

priyakochin · 08-03-2008, 05:08 AM

In seo concept flash is not recommended.

07-21-2008, 07:44 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
ddzc NamePros Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 101	Flash - Bad Idea? Hi all, I was going to build an all flash site here but do you believe this will cause less visitors/revenue due to compatibility issues? I was going to change my mind and do it all html for faster response times and higher traffic ratio b/c they wont have to install flash. I'll be selling services on the site and it will be towards IT/tech savvy people (Highly doubt any of them will be running 56k). I'm more worried about the indexing. What are your thoughts?

07-21-2008, 07:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
CureCancer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,165	flash is not search engine friendly, stick to html.. or php __________________ Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth. Abraham Lincoln

07-21-2008, 07:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
shockie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,702	avoid using flash for web designing if possible, but if you absolutely have to then use something like swfobject to embed flash files because there's still a good chunk of people (and public terminals) that lack flash players on their browsers. __________________ - shockie

07-21-2008, 08:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
nasaboy007 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 1,219	as mentioned, flash is not at all search engine friendly. there are also a lot of people who don't have flash installed or others who simply keep it disabled. if you have your heart set on having a flash website, i suggest you try to make it so that maybe only parts of it are in flash (such as header, navbar, etc) but the content be in html. php would make it all easy. __________________ Hacksar.com - Your source for random computer tips and tricks! MySiteMemberships.com - Keep track of your site registration information! Like my post? Rep is appreciated!

07-21-2008, 08:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
shockie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4,702	to be more accurate, flash files are only getting partially indexed and .flvs are exempt from this completely. __________________ - shockie

07-21-2008, 08:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
hyped NamePros Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 145	Google and Yahoo can now apparently index flash sites (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...ash-sites.html) I would not recommend it, though. I've always hated flash sites for one reason or another. One major reason to hate them is the fact that you can't just copy paste a url and send it to a friend if the url never changes. I'm pretty sure that it would cost you more to have a flash site developed anyway. Best of luck!

07-21-2008, 09:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
homebuyer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,068	iPhone and Others Remember to look at how a flash site looks on the iPhone, Blackberry Bold (when it comes out), the Samsung Instinct, and other near like kind phones that show full .com websites before committing to putting flash on your site.

07-21-2008, 10:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Xavier_3D NamePros Regular Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Karachi, Pakistan Posts: 449 Follow @xyber3dstudios	Well don't go for complete Flash. Check mine - www.xyber3dstudios.com - NO ADVERTISING I PROMISE. I made it all flash, but I added some chunk to my Footer, to actually make it indexable. Go for Flash if you want creativity, but as people already mentioned not all Flash.! __________________ I don't design. But I do have a Huge Portfolio of my works - Portfolio, Xyber 3D Studios Website

07-22-2008, 02:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
trcgood New Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 14	I stick to html too.

07-22-2008, 04:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
enlytend Forum Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 2,041 Follow @enlytend	As others pointed out, Flash is now being indexed better than it used to be... But I'd avoid an all-flash site because most of them are a poor visitor experience , especially for anyone who just wants to go to your site and find what they need. Tech people will probably be your LEAST patient visitors ... and might be running Firefox with the Flashblock extension besides. Unless there's real content in the flash (like a demo or tutorial), just say no. __________________ Enlytend Solutions - Internet marketing and web development, specializing in local search optimization Was my advice helpful? Please consider a small donation to the National Canine Cancer Foundation - a tax deductible 501(c)(3)that directly funds cancer research

07-22-2008, 05:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
dbkooper NamePros Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 55	In the past, flash websites means death in SEO. However, adobe recently developed something to help search engines index the flash content. I think both google and yahoo are working towards better flash site indexing __________________ Need affordable Web Hosting? Check out ReadySetConnect! Reviews of top web hosting providers of 2008 Want to start a website? Free social web hosting by 0bones. Everything you need to start a website for FREE

07-22-2008, 08:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
gjvblack NamePros Regular Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 276	Since computers today are being upgraded and are fast (in some ways with and without vista), i would say flash is good, but too much will kill your visitor loading patience, computers are fast but some are still on dial-up. __________________ Online Security & Web Design

07-22-2008, 10:22 PM	#16 (permalink)
Nathan Carpe Diem Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 908 Follow @nathandevlin	Flash is nice and I personally like using it, but not to build websites. Realistically there are too many compatibility issues and search engine issues for it to be beneficial to use. If you do decide using it, I'd recommend offering a non-flash version of your site too. __________________ TheRedZone.TV ■ WhoisLand.com ■ CheckPageRank.zee.co

07-23-2008, 07:25 AM	#17 (permalink)
ecigs.net BionicHead.com Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rancho Mirage, California Posts: 1,454	Flash is fun. I like it for experiments and amusing myself. For everything else, it is html/php. __________________ 140+ Aged COMs on Auction at eBay. New Domains are listed daily. A complete list is available at: Domainable Auctions

07-23-2008, 09:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
RTM Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: www.adsenseworld.com Posts: 1,606 Follow @adsense_world	Flash pages are OK as long as they load in sub 0.05s ... anything extremely long (say 0.25s to load is too long)... yes, I know, a bit extreme, but that's the way it is... When I see preloader for more than .5s loading a page, I instantly hit back... and stats show that many visitors behave in a similar way. That being said, flash components that are properly embedded in an xHTML compliant page can be code.. (witness YouTube and others).... But...a full Flash site ? blech. Both for users and SEO.... (which go together)... Just my $0.02. Rob __________________ See my recent posts for great BIN pricing on aged, generic domains!

07-31-2008, 12:03 PM	#19 (permalink)
lux13 Account Closed Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MÃ©xico D.F. Posts: 22	some of our clients do not want that the sites have flash, for not to lose speed and security.

07-31-2008, 02:29 PM	#20 (permalink)
Barrucadu Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: East Yorkshire, England Posts: 2,689 Follow @barrucadu	Definitely do not go for a full Flash site - if you do, you more or less exclude everyone using Linux due to Adobe providing a rather unstable crash-prone Flash plugin for us. __________________ Website \| Blog Arch Hurd developer; GNU Webmaster; FSF member #8385

07-31-2008, 08:34 PM	#21 (permalink)
Phoebe_ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,320 Follow @Risse_wicked	Flash is nice coz it gives drama to the site.. but it won't do good in SE. __________________ Professional Web Design and Development Services! ICQ:492-728-092 AIM:wickedclarisse

08-02-2008, 06:33 PM	#22 (permalink)
marcusofplymout NamePros Supporter Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 135	Xavier, i had a look at your site - just a bit of feedback - it took around 10 secs (my connection is 2 meg) to load.

08-02-2008, 06:53 PM	#23 (permalink)
chrispalko New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11	Personally, I advise all my clients against Flash (yet, so many think it's the coolest thing ever). I find it a bit annoying in headers (unless it's a short or subtle animation), but I've seen some really nice navigations using Flash. Entire sites using flash, I don't even waste my time on. I think flash sites are good for showing your graphic design capabilities, but not so much web design. Either way, if you decide to go entirely flash, try not to make it take too long to download or too overbearing with animations. __________________ Chris Palko Web Publisher YoungBusinessOwner.com Sugged.com for sale! Use contact form on site.

08-03-2008, 05:05 AM	#24 (permalink)
digitalmoney New Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 11	I wouldn't do an all flash site for several reasons: - Takes a while to load (depending...) - It's to busy - make your site clean and simple - Not search engine friendly - Takes longer time to develop Your website should have 1 purpose and 1 purpose only. Not to entertain, not to look nice, but to simply make you money.

08-03-2008, 05:08 AM	#25 (permalink)
priyakochin NamePros Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 141	In seo concept flash is not recommended. __________________ Free Tools for Webmasters 6000 Manual Directory Submission for $170 :p Find Best WebHosting Solutions :p

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Flash - Bad Idea?

iPhone and Others