Is Flash Right for Your Site?

It's everywhere, and, as with any other fad, you might feel left out if you don't have any of it. I'm talking, of course, about Macromedia® Flash®. Flash movies (and ads, and games, and entire sites...) are the "in" thing. If you don't have any, you might be wondering, "Is my site... cool?"

Well, there's a time and a place for everything. Some sites should use the animation and interaction capabilities of Flash, and others should not.

Below, we'll give you a simple checklist. Look at the pros and cons, and decide which ones apply to you.

Reasons to Use Flash			Reasons to Avoid Flash
	I need cool, cutting-edge interactivity			Looks don't matter as much as site speed
	My site has pages which should update themselves significantly without reloading			My site is mostly information-based
	My users seem discontent			My site is perfect as it is!
	My users are computer-savvy and all have up-to-date browsers and plugins			Some of my users have old machines and old software
	My users have bandwidth to burn			Some of my users have dial-up connections
	I need videos or animated logos			Small is better - my site can't spare the bandwidth
	My product/service could use a demo video			My product/service is self-explanatory (or I have lots of products)
	I need catchy advertising (for myself or for space I'm selling on my site)			Search engines must be able to read everything on my site
	I need semi-transparent images, or fade effects, or 3D stuff			I'd be just as happy with an animated GIF (image file), without all the transparency and fading

You probably have checks in both columns. So, what do you do? First, write out what you would do with Flash! This probably seems obvious ("spice up my site!"), but you need a plan. Too many sites jump on the bandwagon and trash themselves in the process.

Secondly, get a third-party opinion (i.e., not your boss', spouse's, or dog's). We would be happy to offer you some free, honest feedback on your site ideas and help you improve them.

Third, talk to a Flash designer and get a reality-check. I once spoke with a potential client who had $20,000 ideas and a $2,000 budget. Flash does, realistically, cost more than HTML-based design, but it pays for itself, if used appropriately. You need to make sure that both your ideas and your budget are realistic, before you sign a contract or a check!

You'll notice that the Topsail Consulting site does use Flash in a few, strategic locations. Indeed, Flash can add a lot to a site, but it must be used wisely. In some cases, Flash files load more quickly that image files, and, in others, they are much slower. In some cases, Flash makes navigation easier; in others, it makes navigation seem impossible. You have to make the best decision for your site.

Thinking about using Flash? Contact us for free feedback on your ideas and a quote on making them a reality.

Sincerely,

Ed Cottrell, Editor and President