Tag Archives: web design

EFFECTIVE WEB DESIGN WITHOUT FLASH

02.25.10

It was the day Apple announced the iPad.  First, I laughed at the name.  And then I realized that if Apple keeps refusing to work with Adobe Flash, it has to go.  This means yet another website build, yet another chunk of change being yielded to a team of pros, and yet another iteration of my brand.

Of course, you can argue that Flash is still relevant, but HTML is simpler. I’m all about simpler.  So I set about creating a framework to display my images that could convey my brand without overwhelming the work.  The questions I asked myself, that I challenge you to ask about your website…

Is the website easy to navigate? Are all the buttons easily located?

The buttons on the new website are visible at all times, remain stationary through page changes, and have boring names.  Those boring button names like ‘FAQ’ and ‘Info’ and ‘Contact’ mean that website visitors will know what each one does.  ‘Blow it up!’ and ’411′ and ‘Buzz me!’ are cute, but not necessarily effective.

Does the website look the same on every computer?

The website will never look exactly the same for every viewer, but the elimination of image and website scaling (common in Flash templates) makes uniform user experience a distinct possibility.

Is all the website text relevant?

No fluff, just enough of your features and benefits being highlighted to distinguish your brand from others.  Potential clients know just enough to know if they want to know more.  (Need brushing up on features and benefits?  Marketing School is for you.)

Who needs a splash page?

I know the major industry web template providers have splash pages, but I don’t get the point.  Stuffing keywords on an HTML page because the rest of the Flash website is invisible to Google just isn’t a sound SEO strategy.

Have you hired a professional?

This is the most expensive website I’ve ever purchased, but it looks the least flashy.  Fabulous coding with search engine optimization hints provided by Naomi Dunford’s SEO School are hidden from view while my images take center stage.

Want your own HTML website?

Take a look at the super-sleep Kimtown HTML sites, or consider modifying your WordPress blog to be a blog-site using the Prophoto 3 theme. Save $10 with code BNDCMP717 — if it doesn’t work immediately, just email customer support at Prophoto.;)

What about the website?

Oh yah. View the new, super-simple site for Essential Imagery.

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Camille Cooper - March 29, 2010 - 10:20 am

I LOVE the new flash-less site! I live in the country and have satellite internet and most flash sites take so long to load that I just don’t even bother. I have to think that my clients feel the same way. I’ve been considering doing something like this but didn’t know where to start. Thanks for the great post!

Amy Nieto - March 7, 2010 - 3:50 am

Love the new website! Currently, re-redesigning my website and am very glad with the job I am doing :)

Kelly Tarleton - February 26, 2010 - 11:16 am

Love the simplicity of your new site! I’m currently redesigning an .html site and this came at just the right time to serve as the validation I needed for not taking the Flash route.

erika - February 25, 2010 - 9:53 pm

I’m so glad there are other people joining the anti-flash campaign! I’ve hated Flash since the mid- 90s when it was introduced. Everything about it is just a pain in the butt and hasn’t gotten any better.

That said, yay for the new site!!! I hated how the old one hijacked my entire monitor with the enormous slideshow =)

Mark Andrew Higgins - February 25, 2010 - 8:08 pm

Hi Kristen! Thanks for the goodies for Inspire Boston! I love my website, but hate FLASH. I talked with BigFolio and they are hoping to preview a html 5 based template at WPPI. As soon as it’s available bye bye FLASH!!!

stone - February 25, 2010 - 2:25 pm

I freaking hate (I know my mom said not to use that strong word … but I do) my (shall remain nameless) flash website. It’s SO slow and SO clumsy. I love my html blog. Plus smartphone view-ability is key.

Becky - February 25, 2010 - 2:22 pm

I was about to use Autoviewer to create a portfolio for my website when ProPhoto3 was rolled out. I purchased that instead and have been really happy with the gallery feature that allows me to keep my portfolio, information, and blog all on one site. Yea for Pro Photo! :)

Jon - February 25, 2010 - 1:55 pm

I totally agree with you. I think Flash is a product that’s “flashy”, but most of the time it ends up becoming cumbersome and a major bandwidth hog. With the introduction of javascript frameworks such as jQuery and MooTools, I don’t think there is anything you can accomplish in Flash that you can’t with these frameworks (i.e. galleries, menus). Best part, they are lightweight and very easy to learn and implement. Heck, I use them on my sites and have had no issues.

Ok that’s my $0.02. Great article as always!

johnwaire | photo - February 25, 2010 - 1:45 pm

me likey the new super-simple site :) schweet!

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