 Flash
website design is different than traditional website
design in many ways. Unlike standards based technologies
such as HTML, XML, or PHP technologies, Flash website
design utilizes a proprietary programming language called
ActionScript. To view Flash elements requires the installation
of the Flash player. As long as the end-user has the
necessary components to utilize the Flash technology,
Flash website design elements can add a lot of visual
interest. Flash website design elements allow for dramatic
animation effects, high definition video with crisp sound
tracks, and an endless amount of user interactivity.
Some website development implementations also utilize
Flash ActionScripts to develop online applications because
the webpage doesn't have to be refreshed all the time
or it is not necessary to load another webpage to move
to the next stage. Flash website design is also very
secure for transmitting private information because it
uses embedded fonts that aren't searchable by search
engines. This security feature is also the main reason
why most web development companies use Flash as a design
element rather than the basis for developing a website.
The issue is that if search engines can't search the
embedded fonts, then Internet users probably won't find
your website. There are some ways to work around this
issue, but for maximizing your Internet marketing and
search engine marketing efforts, Flash website design
should be used only as a small element that is part of
a larger design.
Flash website design utilizes Vector based graphical
elements, not Raster graphics like most websites. A Vector
graphic is different than a Raster graphic in the way
that the images are rendered or displayed. For example,
if you compared two graphics, both blue circles placed
side-by-side, they would appear to be exactly the same
at first glance. However, if you looked very closely
at the edges of both graphics, you would see that the
Vector graphic seems sharper and that the Raster image
is a little jagged and even blurry at close scrutiny.
If you were to zoom in you would see that the Vector
graphic stays sharp no matter how much you zoom in, whereas
the Raster graphic gets rougher as you zoom in, eventually
revealing that the Raster graphic is actually made up
of tiny squares, or pixels. Since almost all computer
displays today utilize pixels, the only time you will
encounter vector graphics is in Flash website design,
which utilizes the Flash player to render Vector graphics.
Using flash website design is a great way to add more
visual appeal to your website and offer some additional
interactive features. Defining what your objectives are
for your website determines whether it's appropriate
to implement Flash website design elements into your
website. Remember the reason you have a website; it's
for your users. Though roughly 90% of Internet users
have one version or another of the Flash player with
their favorite browser, only a small number have the
most current version. This means that you have to ensure
that the customer demographics indicate that Flash website
design elements are appropriate. Website users get frustrated
when they get intrusive and persistent error messages
when they visit websites, so the alert "Please upgrade
to newest Flash player," is an unwelcome occurrence
to the website user. Some Flash website design companies
neglect to do the necessary research to see if their
target website user demographic has the Flash player
and what version they have on their computer. However,
when the user demographic indicates high percentages
of users with a compatible version of the Flash player
it's safe to utilize some Flash elements.
IntraMedia offers the complete Internet presence solution,
by integrating compelling web design
with progressive Internet marketing.
For more information on website design services, select
from the links below. |
