What is a Flash website?

The simplest way to explain Flash is to think of the difference between a printed advert and a television advert: both are achieving the same function but one most definitely stands out from the other. Flash websites offer animations, sound, interactivity and a vast array of new methods of conveying information to a user.

Misconceptions surrounding Flash website design

There are a number of misconceptions of what a Flash website is and what can be achieved with the technology. This has predominantly been due to poor implementations locally. The most common misconceptions include:

• Flash and SEO. Search Engine Optimisation is an important factor in the design of any website. This is because your SEO effects the results that search engines return and therefore effects the number of visitors to your website. The perception that a Flash website cannot achieve good Search Engine rankings is simply not true. Whilst it is true that the SEO of traditional websites is better and easier to achieve, in a recent blog post, I explained the possibilities of Flash and SEO.
• Flash requires a fast internet connection. This is a fairly tricky one as the answer is yes and no. Let's take the fashion industry as an analogy. Clothes that are designed in Switzerland would be very different to clothing designed in South Africa, and in the same light, in South Africa, the clothes that I like are different to the clothes that others like. This too is true with Flash design. Flash has the power to be designed to cater for its environment as well as its users (or wearers). Therefore Flash websites designed for a South African audience should not be as bandwidth-intensive as sites for international traffic. With the introduction of broadband internet in South Africa this concern is fast becoming a thing of the past however. The use of intelligent preloading and caching techniques can also be used to mitigate many of the current bandwidth constraints.
• Flash websites are static. This is most certainly not true of any Flash website worth its salt. Flash supports various techniques for database integration and dynamic content loading.

These tend to be the biggest concerns companies have with venturing into the new world of Flash website design. But this new world most definitely has a lot to offer.

Why and when to choose a Flash website?

Just as much as a Porche would be a nice car to have, for a family, it's just not practical. So has Flash design and development been seen as impractical for a company's website requirements. Flash is often used to 'show off' information to a user and give a user a memorable experience and is a great means of getting a bold marketing message out on the web. With it's power to use elements such as sound, 3D animations, video integration and other elements, Flash has the potential to grab a user's full attention.

Although, since the introduction of Flash database connectivity, server side scripting language integration such as PHP and ASP as well as full blown Flash applications using Flex, Flash is fast becoming very practical as well as still being the best way to create a visual impact.

So if you want your Porche, and a family, you can now have your Porche SUV. Practical and eye-catching.