To flash or not to flash! :)

Diverse · #1 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 15:45

Of course I mean web design!

I was thinking of adding a couple of quality, gourmet food shots to add a luxury element to the homepage...

I have conflicting opinions regarding an animation box on the front page of my new website...obviously the designer loves the idea, the seo guy hates it...

Can I have your opinions please, does flash really harm seo? If so how?

Thanks!

Beneddie1112 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 15:56

I believe it does, I also think that Khalid, Jeewhizz on here started a thread on it somewhere

Diverse · #3 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 16:02

Thanks Beneddie, I will have a look for it...I suppose I should have done that 1st!

An Oasis · #4 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diverse

I have conflicting opinions regarding an animation box on the front page of my new website...obviously the designer loves the idea, the seo guy hates it...

Not sure how good your SEO guy is!!!!

When people talk about not using flash they are talking about full blown splash pages. Adding a small bit of flash to a page is not going to harm your efforts. Take a look at www.realoasis.com top left and right sections. If I could be bothered I could make both of those indexable for all the keywords within, just can't be bothered.

UKSBD · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 17:12

SEO is one of those things where a little knowledge is a bad thing.
There is nothing wrong with flash if you know what you are doing.

northantsit.co.uk · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 17:44

Adobe have made lots of money buying the Flash brand off of Macromedia.... Flash works, but like with all websites it's part of a jigsaw not one big piece

tommy · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKSBD

SEO is one of those things where a little knowledge is a bad thing.
There is nothing wrong with flash if you know what you are doing.

I agree something like this http://www.2advanced.com/ has make this company one of the best design studios in the world so it does work.

But what I dont like with flash is when people just use it to do an intro page and then thats it with a skip intro, I cant stand that.

IP2 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 19:50

Personally, I hate Flash! If you are BMW or Lexus and want a big splash - use it. If you are not - avoid it!

Until Broadband is 100% your customer base, then any Flash is going to not only slow your site down it could make it intolerable to some. Over the next 5 years Flash may start to have a purpose, but the here and now says 'Why alienate your customer base?'

Flash will get there, but it is not there yet and you would be best advised listening to those with SEO knowledge than those that want to play with graphics!

spacekadet · #9 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 20:17

I'm with IP2. If I have to wait for a page to load, well, I usually just won't wait. I wouldn't risk having your customers close the window before it loads because they're impatient like I am.

gary@engineeringweb. · #10 (**permalink**) 12-06-2008, 20:59

Never use flash intros or sites but it's all about a call to action. The one thing that moves on the page is the thing that people will look at. That should be your call to action or money making advert.
Flash is a good way to make text or pictures move so use it to get your point across or attract them to click somewhere.
Don't use it for design or people will look at that and not your content.
Bye the way there are some great new Java animation software packages coming. Eats Flash for breakfast as Flash was only design for small files for dialup.