Build a site using Flash or not?

by **pedalpat** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:52 am

veganMalcontent wrote:
Tublave 4 Tone wrote:
threeofaperfectpair wrote:FYI i think the current tonefreak site works perfectly

+1

PS: I'm masturbating to "Hop on Pop" right now as we speak.

Thanks for your on-topic input Tublave, but really, the additional comments are kinda out of context in this thread.

Sam

by **Tublave 4 Tone** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 6:09 am

veganMalcontent wrote:ihsahn

ihsahn ?

by **M. Balmer** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 5:14 pm

I think flash is cool for a 'splash' page as long as you have an 'obvious skip intro' button, but the site should be static more or less with limited if no frames.

by **Slabbefusk** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:16 pm

No flash!

by **pedalpat** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 8:39 pm

50% of my web browsing is now done on a BlackBerry or iPod Touch. Most popular websites have mobile friendly layouts or alternate versions of the desktop style pages that work better thru phones, Blackberry's, iPhones etc.

this trend will probably continue and grow, so that should be something to consider. i agree with Chuck would be cool to have an opening splash page that you can skip or maybe a way for the servers to detect what kind of device you are on and adjust content dependent on the device.

by **Pete Lacis** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:18 am

veganMalcontent wrote:Ok, let me put it another way. Nobody accidentally types "tonefreak.com" into their URL bar. So anybody who ends up on your site is already interested. Sam

As a web design and search engine optimization expert, let me lend my $.02:

The way search engines work is that when they get hip to your site (usually via a URL from another site they're already indexing) they will index your site. This includes all text and meta data for your site. This is how they decide what your site is about and how to include it in their search directories.

FLASH content is almost completely invisible to search engines. Its fine to use flash for media players and cool effects, but its a very bad idea to build the site entirely in flash. Accessibility is one thing (mobile devices), but not showing up in search engines is a whole other issue.

Also.....the idea isn't for folks that already know what tonefreak.com is.....the idea is to hip people to your products when they don't know who you are, but they area searching for the products/services that you offer.

by **Big Ginger Git** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:07 am

Anyone recommend any web sites or books for building web sites ? I'd love to take a night class but just too darn busy

by **mranonimouse** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:05 pm

Pete Lacis wrote:
As a web design and search engine optimization expert, let me lend my $.02:

The way search engines work is that when they get hip to your site (usually via a URL from another site they're already indexing) they will index your site. This includes all text and meta data for your site. This is how they decide what your site is about and how to include it in their search directories.

FLASH content is almost completely invisible to search engines. Its fine to use flash for media players and cool effects, but its a very bad idea to build the site entirely in flash. Accessibility is one thing (mobile devices), but not showing up in search engines is a whole other issue.

Also.....the idea isn't for folks that already know what tonefreak.com is.....the idea is to hip people to your products when they don't know who you are, but they area searching for the products/services that you offer.

I endorse the above statement.

Flash content is almost completely invisible to search engines, so if you do decide to choose a flash website I suggest you build an HTML version as well with the same content so you don't miss out on that search engine traffic.

Also, Flash is, like, so 2003, like.

by **M. Balmer** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:20 pm

Flash is also cool if your name is Gordon...

by **mranonimouse** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:21 pm

Big Ginger Git wrote:Anyone recommend any web sites or books for building web sites ? I'd love to take a night class but just too darn busy

http://www.w3schools.com/

Have a look at that. Not really presented in the best way, but it has everything you need to know coding wise.

If you like books, then the For Dummies books might be worth a look. I have not read the ones specifically on building websites, but I've read other internet related ones and enjoyed them. Some are quite American, but that doesn't really matter for building websites.

Have a play around with something like Dreamweaver as well.

by **haujobb** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:58 pm

I voted yes, but that would only be if the site was programmed well. There is nothing worse than a bloated flash site.

by **Davenit** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:17 pm

I have a splash page that offers both HTML and Flash. It's a photography site but it might give you an idea of what you can do.

The HTML site is ASP based and has an amazing front end. It's so easy to update. Really makes life a lot easier.

www.davenitsche.com get's you to the splash page.

D

by **Big Ginger Git** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:23 pm

mranonimouse wrote:
Big Ginger Git wrote:Anyone recommend any web sites or books for building web sites ? I'd love to take a night class but just too darn busy

http://www.w3schools.com/

Have a look at that. Not really presented in the best way, but it has everything you need to know coding wise.

If you like books, then the For Dummies books might be worth a look. I have not read the ones specifically on building websites, but I've read other internet related ones and enjoyed them. Some are quite American, but that doesn't really matter for building websites.

Have a play around with something like Dreamweaver as well.

Cheers mate

by **ToneFreak** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:20 pm

I forgot about the SEO... won't be doing flash.

by **mranonimouse** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:47 pm

Davenit wrote:I have a splash page that offers both HTML and Flash. It's a photography site but it might give you an idea of what you can do.

The HTML site is ASP based and has an amazing front end. It's so easy to update. Really makes life a lot easier.

www.davenitsche.com get's you to the splash page.

D

I think Dave's website is a good example of Flash done right, and does a better job of displaying the content than HTML.