On the surface, it would make sense to use Flash for web design purposes. After all, it's a tool that's been around for a long time, even before people were getting into web design as careers. What you may not know is that Flash might not be as much of a given as assumed. For those who would like to learn more - and Lounge Lizard can help with this - here are some of the biggest pros & cons associated with utilizing Flash.
PRO - It's striking to the eye. There's no denying the cosmetic appeal that Flash has to offer. It catches the eye right away and it's possible that it will keep users around for a while. Cosmetic value is integral for any website, regardless of what it's selling or the information it has to offer. With that said, though, there are many other things that you should know about Flash, especially from a web design perspective.
CON - It takes time to load up Flash. The reason for this - and companies the likes of Lounge Lizard will agree - is that Flash consumes quite a bit of bandwidth. What this means is that sites tend to run slower, which means that visitors will be less likely to stick around. Immediacy is one of the key principles that website development companies hold close. This is why Flash capabilities are either limited or kept out of the equation entirely.
PRO - Flash capabilities come with interactivity for browsers. For those who want to make their web design projects a bit more interactive, Flash might prove useful. This tool can be used in a number of ways, including - but not limited to - the creation of games and the showcase of videos. Needless to say, these examples can be seen as interactive. What this means is that Flash, when implemented well, can engage website visitors.
CON - Not as many websites are using Flash now. Even though you might not believe it to be true, Flash isn't exactly the most common tool nowadays. As a matter of fact, fewer and fewer developers are implementing it into their projects, since they don't need the need. You might want to consider following suit, in order to keep your own projects more streamlined. Flash might be useful at first glance, but the long-term benefits must be considered.
PRO - It's striking to the eye. There's no denying the cosmetic appeal that Flash has to offer. It catches the eye right away and it's possible that it will keep users around for a while. Cosmetic value is integral for any website, regardless of what it's selling or the information it has to offer. With that said, though, there are many other things that you should know about Flash, especially from a web design perspective.
CON - It takes time to load up Flash. The reason for this - and companies the likes of Lounge Lizard will agree - is that Flash consumes quite a bit of bandwidth. What this means is that sites tend to run slower, which means that visitors will be less likely to stick around. Immediacy is one of the key principles that website development companies hold close. This is why Flash capabilities are either limited or kept out of the equation entirely.
PRO - Flash capabilities come with interactivity for browsers. For those who want to make their web design projects a bit more interactive, Flash might prove useful. This tool can be used in a number of ways, including - but not limited to - the creation of games and the showcase of videos. Needless to say, these examples can be seen as interactive. What this means is that Flash, when implemented well, can engage website visitors.
CON - Not as many websites are using Flash now. Even though you might not believe it to be true, Flash isn't exactly the most common tool nowadays. As a matter of fact, fewer and fewer developers are implementing it into their projects, since they don't need the need. You might want to consider following suit, in order to keep your own projects more streamlined. Flash might be useful at first glance, but the long-term benefits must be considered.
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