Is Flash important?

doncrust · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 10:48 AM

I have started with the site but I'll like to know if its important to use flash menu... if yes please where can I get material on that?

Thanks

Coder · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2009, 11:11 AM

So you have a HTML site and you are thinking about using Adobe Flash for the navigation? It is certainly an option, but I wouldn't recommend it. Using Flash for critical site elements such as navigation can create a number of problems. Consider the following...

Accessibility - users without flash or those using specialist browsers may struggle to navigate your site.
Search engines - although search engines are getting better at understanding Flash, it's not something I would trust just yet.
Loading times - Flash files can get big quite quickly, especially if you use some high quality images. People on slow connections may have to wait just to get to the page they want. Also, since it is a separate hit on your server, if the file fails to load, there will be no menu.

Flash is great for site elements that are not critical to a good user experience. I would stick to standard HTML links for something as important as your main site navigation.

Talicy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2009, 04:49 AM

Yes. Also, why use a flash menu when you have lovely javascript or even just plain HTML & CSS menus out there! You can certainly use them, but I personally wouldn't. I would stick to standard HTML links like Coder said and spice it up with some CSS. You'll be surprised what you can make with just two simple things.

Dreamweaver also creates flash buttons for your navigation - something I don't like.

Dynamike · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 10:29 AM

If you seriously want to use flash, I would recommend it partial on a HTML website. It can be made that way. I had to learn the hard way. My whole template was flash. Always remember, "Business before pleasure."

doncrust · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 09:30 AM

thanks Dynamike

imwebmaster2 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 10:36 AM

Coder and Talicy have hit the nail on the head
on how to use flash conservatively and for the
non critical parts of your website...in addition
to emphasis on using clean HTML and CSS code.

I even take a step deeper with a navigation bar..

I will not even use background images for my nav
buttons...the search engines don't recognize alt text
as significant for graphic nav buttons...

My preference in Nav Bar Links boil down to a nice
text font...and if I can, I'll use Nav titles that match
my meta keywords and like Talicy emphasized, employ
clean CSS code the search engines can scan on arrival

A step further I may make the font bold and highlighted.

Consider naming these Nav Links exactly to meta keywords.

I've had compliments on how simple and easy these Nav
links created a clear uncluttered visual appearance and
user experience...it's not what I like,,,it's what pleases users.

ed7up · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Great topic; I'm looking at adding some small (240x400) interactive flash content to some of my pages this month!

wzlc · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:33 AM

Yeah , flash is important ,people can see more information from the photos and make peopel more interesting.

alpha7 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:46 AM

In the web browser market, I would venture to say that the larger part of the market can load flash very efficiently. While it is true you should build for as many users as possible, you will not be able to please everyone. My children have their own pc (2 gigs of RAM, running xp) that is 6 years old, and they play games on noggin.com, PlayHouseDisney.com, NickJr.com, etc. all day long.

Now that being said, css is the best way to go, but I don't think a flash nav is going to encumber the site the way most people think. Besides, some people know flash, but don't know css or javascript.

When you have separate flash elements, they can load faster than some image intensive headers, buttons, and backgrounds that are not sliced. often times flash buttons only use 1 image file that is shared between all buttons, further reducing the file size. You can make the buttons beautiful and still load fast.

As for SEO, add all nav items to your footer as text links. The SE's have gotten very good at following flash links. Just remember to use text and NOT images on the buttons to help them out with the keywords. You should also make the keywords in the body of your pages text links to the pages that are linked to nav bar as well. There is always more than one way to get to main street. Do not use too many keywords though.

Flash is not evil. And when used sparingly with good SEO techniques, we can all help flash make the www a beautiful place.

But CSS is better.

And no I don't own stock in Adobe.

sequencehosting · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 07:56 AM

I would certainly suggest CSS as your first choice, next javascript and lastly flash.

Everyone has rounded up the pro's and cons very well. All I will add is if you do choose a javascript or flash menu always add all your important links to the footer. Firstly it helps with SEO since search engines cannot read flash/javascript (currently). Also if the menu doesn't work for a visitor your leaving them a second option which will reduce the amount of visitors lost.

imwebmaster2 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 11:46 AM

Where it appears many of us who have
contributed valid points in the use of
some more advanced SEO tactics, such as,
CSS, anchor text and keyword density....

I haven't seen anyone suggest testing ...

Just like we test and tweak for browsers
I always recommend testing loading speeds...
a prudent step in any web development...

As Apha7 mentioned, you can't please everyone

I say you better please the Search Engines too
and they aren't just everyone...

ja029 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 12:40 PM

Isn't it true that Google doesn't like javascript either?

Dynamike · #13 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpha7

But CSS is better.

Does CSS make certain objects move around like a flash site?

alpha7 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-20-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ja029

Isn't it true that Google doesn't like javascript either?

I think one of the biggest problems with javascript is because of certain risks, some users may have it disabled in their browser. I don't think it is a large number of users though. It is more likely more savvy users who do it for a reason on an as needed basis.

Quote:

Originally Posted by imwebmaster2

Where it appears many of us who have
contributed valid points in the use of
some more advanced SEO tactics, such as,
CSS, anchor text and keyword density....

I haven't seen anyone suggest testing ...

Just like we test and tweak for browsers
I always recommend testing loading speeds...
a prudent step in any web development...

As Apha7 mentioned, you can't please everyone

I say you better please the Search Engines too
and they aren't just everyone...

Flash allows you to test the load speed of several different connections. But a simple nav button or bar is not going to be too heavy unless you add sound files, elaborate animations, or large/uncompressed images.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynamike

Does CSS make certain objects move around like a flash site?

Advanced CSS can do some amazing things, but not like flash. I am not sure what the extent of CSS's abilities are. But it can do many rollover affects and give a nice crisp professional look and feel to your navigation designs. But if you want highly animated designs for entertainment purposes, then flash is what you want. I think the days of trying to impress your clients with lots of flash "just because" are gone. I think there should be a practical reason for what you use in your designs. For instance, before I learned about includes, I used flash to make my nav bar consistent across my designs as I added pages. All I had to do was update my flash file once. Depending on the project, I will still do that.

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