Flash technology is great yet if not used properly then it is useless.
For Search Engine Optimization Flash is more difficult to optimize for. But
any good SEO knows that Flash is not going to stop them from optimizing a
site. I have worked with sites with Flash and have used creative techniques
or created doorway pages. Flash has never stopped any SEO from gaining
traffic to a site.
Where people get Flash happy is when they place a Flash intro page as a way
to introduce their product or service. Why? What is the point? When you
begin to think like a professional Internet Marketer and realize the main
goal is to get a visitor to your main page, then your intro page goes out
the window. The user wants to get to the content of your site. He doesn_t
care if you have words and stock photos flying in and out. Could you imagine
going to a Macy_s and every time you went in the store a guy talks about
Macy_s. You would get annoyed. Flash intros can be annoying Web usability
experts agree that Flash intros hurt traffic more than it helps. Yes I see
the skip intro button real small in the corner. Users have proven
statistically over and over that they just want to get to the content. Have
you ever noticed the top traffic sites Yahoo, Google, MSN do not have intro
Flash pages. They have the money to have elaborate designs but they do not
have Flash intros. Major companies are in the business to get traffic. They
never want to hinder a users ability to get to their main content page. The
more pages users click the more opportunities they will leave.
Flash and rich media has helped the advertising industry big time. Flash
technology used in ads increases click-throughs by a 5 to 1 ratio over
traditional banners. In addition the dynamics and message of a good Flash
banner helps users to remember a companies brand better than traditional
banners. Popular Flash banners:
_ Point Roll
_ Transitional Ads
_ Rich Media IMU Skyscrapers
_ Rich Media IMU Rectangles
_ 728 x 90 IMU _ Leaderboards
When people talk about Flash I always ask what are you using it for? I am
still not sold on a total Flash website. But if someone is converting that
way hey more power to them.
Trent Partridge
Internet Marketing Consultant
Certified Search Engine Optimizer
Screensaver Marketer
954-731-1188
Florida, USA
Received on Fri Oct 31 2003 - 11:29:54 CST
