The user online experience is becoming more interactive than ever. Rich media and moving images continue to define the new online experience. This interactivity is made possible as connection speeds increase because it simply was not possible before the surge broadband/cable internet which has minimised loading times significantly.
Consumers are becoming quite knowledgeable about websites and interactivity; statistics show that over 95% of computers now have Macromedia Flash Player installed on their computer. Browsers such as Firefox now allow instantaneous hassle free download and version upgrades without even leaving the webpage to convert a once non-interactive viewing browser into a fully equipped browser ready for the latest website using technology introduced into the market.
But interactive content does not come without its drawbacks. Sites created completely using Flash face a longer loading time, a non-print format and are not favoured by search engines due to their content not being as easily read as a standard HTML website. This is not to say that completely Flash based websites do not have their place in the market. Personal homepages, portfolios, video and interactive rich websites can benefit greatly as Flash offers the most effective and impact rich presentation of content.
For a website which is both a design success and search engine friendly, the best practice result is through a careful balance of both HTML and Flash Interactivity. Alternatively by offering both an HTML version and a Flash based website you will ensure that both the technologically advanced and those with slower connection speeds will be able to enjoy your website as they can choose the style of webpage they would like to view.
Ultimately, if the user is able to gather the information they need from your website while enjoying a hassle free online experience then your site is serving its basic purpose. Whether your site successfully converts a user is a different question, but by covering all the technology bases you can feel confident that you won’t lose any users due to website inaccessibility.
