» To use flash or not to use flash?

Flash is well supported at something like 95-98% of web browsers out there, and if you are viewing a flash designed website, you will know it.

Flash is best suited for:

• Animation
  
• Video
  
• Games
• Vector Graphics
• Image compensation for special fonts.

Web designers who need a specific font family in their designs can use a technique called image replacement code (or Scalable Inman Flash Replacement) which replaces the text in the Flash to get a special font.

» Drawbacks of using flash

* Bandwidth and Speed Limitations

Our Dallas Texas flash design team has great experience in the industry and we do understand that  flash websites can be very large and slow to download at times. Research and experience has shown that using flash isnt always the best answer when trying to optimize a website for search engines. In many situations, the entire Flash website is downloaded before it can be used. And even if it is possible to add the graphical countdowns, and other features to make the time pass more quickly, many people still won't wait and this could frustrate and lose potential clients.

* Usability is impaired

One of the key buttons on a web browser is the back button. It is used constantly by most people on the Internet. But a Flash site typically removes this functionality. When a customer uses the back button after delving deep into a Flash site, he / she is taken back to the website where they were before they visited your site. So if they return to your Flash site, they have to re-navigate to where they were. Some people may be willing to do this task twice, but most won't.

* Search Engines can't read them

Search engine spiders are much like screen readers, they can't parse images. Plus, many of them have difficulties in following links, which are not standard HTML links. This is why many Flash developers have a very difficult time getting their flash websites to rank high in search engines. In fact, the majority of Flash sites that do rank well are because there are two versions of the site - one flash and one HTML. And then they must keep two copies of the same web site.

* Flash requires a plug-in

While much of the web browser plug-ins are pre-installed, many people and companies can't allow flash and this prevents many people from having access to your website.

» Should you use flash?

Only the designer and site owner can make that choice. Flash is a wonderful tool for adding games, animations and video to your site, and if these types of factors are important, you should use Flash. There are very few places that benefit from using only Flash.

Never Use Flash for Navigation

Using flash may be tempting for a very attractive and smooth design with exciting transitions. However, navigating through your website is the most important part and not everyone's computer is equipped to handle flash. you have to also take in affect someone trying to use a cellphone which also isn't flash compatible. If your customers can't use your navigation for some reason, they will simply leave - bandwidth and availability issues can both also contribute to a Flash navigation's downfall.

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