Building Flash Better Than HTML? - The debate whether to build a Flash or HTML is always ongoing and you be asking yourself the same question when building your new or redesigning a clients website.
I have been to conferences and been around design houses to find a common trend, and that trends points to how the older generation always defend HTML and generally hate Flash. Is it because this “older” generation are stubborn and don’t like change? Is it because they don’t know how to create a Flash website? Perhaps it’s a little of both.
I find that the new generation of web designers embrace Flash alot more, why? I think it’s because they entered an age where the first program they start to learn is Flash. Flash has such a larger learning curve than HTML, but designers now in days are picking it up faster than before, who know’s it may be the Redbull.
Flash or HTML
Back to the subject of creating a website in Flash or HTML. Here is what it comes down to, what is your target audience? If you are creating a website about quilting, consider your target base and the demographics. Chances are your age target is 40+ so creating a Flash website will be overkill for sure. Also, if you need a webpage that needs to have simple content, like a news style site then HTML is the ticket.
Why Flash Then
On the other hand, if your building a game website you need to realise the target age your reaching . Times have changed from the traditional static HTML world, and we live in a place when sound, video, and multimedia is taking the front seat of website attention. There is a reason why when a new game is released, you most always see a Flash based website promoting it. But if you think Flash is for gaming sites, think again. Websites such as Adidas and Mercedes Benz use full Flash websites to convey messages on the web.
Do I Hate HTML
Absolutely not! I believe there will always be HTML , and I know it will always be here as long as the www exists. I do however chuckle when the Flash haters express how Flash is evil and is a total waste of time if you want to convey a message. Flash is part of the ongoing future whether you like it or not, and you can’t stop the flood of the new generation jumping on broadband like it’s free money.
It’s All About Target Marketing
So again, Building a Flash website should be influenced greatly by your target market. If your building a site that is about communication, entertainment, art, or other high impact type of media, Flash has become the King of all placeholders. If it looks good, sounds good, and moves you…chances are your viewing a Flash website.
Popularity: 11% [?]
March 28th, 2008 at 11:17 am
In my opinion, flash cannot be compared to HTML. Why? Because FLASH is actualy a HTML object that uses a plugin installed in the browsers. In other words, Flash is technically a HTML extension. The same way is Silver Light, the microsoft version of flash.
There is another concept that starts to buzz around. The RIA. The next generation web/desktop experience. Flash is the pioneer of this new technology.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I like the flash player a lot. It gives a unique possibility to us all. Having the ability to show content identical on all flash supported browsers is on great deal. However, for the time being, flash need a bit to much resources in both the net speed and the processing power of the user machine.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Flash will definitely become even more popular as the Internet grows. It already is one global trend in portfolios and multimedia web aplications but I don’t think that it will become the thing. HTML is still the main rendering language of the web documents and I’d prefer if it will stay that way. I find it unfair to have to buy the Flash Development Environment in order to be able to create websites.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I developed a few flash websites so far, and I must say that the compatibility between browsers is awesome! I also know the CSS and XHTML, and for those languages, I had to test and retest everything on different browsers.
Flash has a great chance to rule over all the other web design solutions. Now that adobe released Flex 3, the chances are even higher.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Its not that the “older” generation doesn’t like change, I think its just a matter of being more comfortable with what you are used to. And HTML is so easy to work with.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I’d have to agree with you Robert. Flash does have a great chance to rule over all other web design solutions. Flex 3 does open a whole lot of new doors.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I still stick to mainly HTML when designing sites. I think its mainly due to the type of customers I usually have. They usually just want simple easily accessible and navigable sites. I think flash is ok if you are developing entertainment sites or sites that serve as some kind of show room, like fashion or automobile sites. But for coporate sites that contain a lot of text, html with sometimes a little splash of Flash is the way to go
March 28th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I agree with you 100%, I don’t think you will see sites like MSN or Yahoo going with a full flash site as the home page.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
The best way in my opinion is to use both technologies. Let’s face it, flash got the looks, got the compatibility, got the smooth feel but it also has drawbacks. The size, the loading time, the browser support and most of all… the search engine problem. We all know how important it is to get indexed by google and other search engines right?
March 28th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Bob, I agree with you on the search engine problem. I don’t think flash sites are easily indexable
March 28th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I’m still on the oldie’s side. Great lover of HTML. I still hardly use flash though am beginning to realise it is inevitable.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
I hardly use photoshop while working with Flash. I usually get along fine on flash without a photo editing software
March 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I wonder how you do it Flie. I can’t see myself being able to completely use flash for my images. I always have to use Photoshop or illustrator
March 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Hybrid websites are ok, but full flash sites are not so professional if you ask me. Search engines don’t like this kind of sites + they load slow + some people don’t have the latest flash played installed and so on. I’d rather stick with XHTML and from time to time use a few flash components for my sites.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I personally only use HTML to code my websites. I know it sounds like old days, but think about the time it would take us, the ‘old ones’ to learn how to use flash. Who knows, maybe after 2 more years something better will come out and we’ll have to learn the new one again and again.
The classic should not be altered or disrespected by the new.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I only made my design portfolio 100% in flash. The other sites that I made are hybrid or totally XHTML and CSS.. that’s tableless HTML for the ‘old ones’ :P. Flash is not a thing accessible to everybody after all.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
I don’t think there is a debate. I’d rather call it a conflict between something that is good and old and something that is good and new. Actually, I am able to archive almost all the graphical effect that flash creates, using only javascript and a few tricks of mine… but that would take a lot of time.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Hybrid sites are the best way in my opinion. So I’d say HTML and Flash. Both of them. No debates on this topic, simply both. Great content for readers, quality structure for search engines.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
I agree with nightcoola, hybrid sites are best but not because of the search engines compatibility but because flash sites are all different. Think about it, how can an average person find out how to navigate on each flash site. I’ve seen sites and sites, many had unique navigation menus, no problem with that, but I think that the net should get some standards when it comes to navigation.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I refer to use flash a rare as I can because in my region the Internet providers are not at their best, so providing a rich multimedia content to promote a local business in not a great deal, at least for the time being…