The modern age of the internet has advanced at an enormous rate. Websites no longer consist simply of text and pictures. In the late 1990s, animated gifs started to make an appearance with scrolling banners and animations starting to make their way into web pages as well as background music and all sorts of intrusive but (then) technologically advanced tricks. Nowadays, video and Flash content are used on many websites, but how can you utilise video and Flash in your new web design project?
You need to be sparing when it comes to Flash – particularly if search engine optimisation is one of your main concerns. Many browsers and systems cannot accurately display or render Flash and search engines are particularly notorious for not being able to crawl, index or even access Flash content. Flash should, therefore, be used very sparingly.
Videos can be a great way to convey information in the modern online age. Video sharing websites such as YouTube and Google Video have brought online video to the forefront of the internet experience and anyone can now be a movie star from the comfort of their own home. Adding interactive and multimedia content to your website in this way can be very valuable – particularly in terms of presentations, web seminars or simple instructional videos. It is often easier to see something explained visually than to simple read a set of instructions on a plain text web page.
The 2 questions that you have to ask yourself when using Flash are:
1) will it help to communicate your message to your audience?
2) Will my audience have the plugin?
If the answer is yes to both then it is a no brainer, but should number 2 be a most likely no then it is a decision which you should not take lightly. User testing and or split testing would be a good way to be sure.
Videos and Flash are playing a big part in modern web design. We specialise in website design Cardiff, web design Wales and also SEO UK and can help guide you through this new online medium with ease. Why not give us a call? We’re always happy to help and can answer any questions you may have.