Flash vs. HTML Websites: Which one do you need?

You know you need a website, but do you know which kind you would benefit the most from? In the world of websites, Flash and HTML are king. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages, so which one should you request from your designer? Below are a few pros and cons of each that will help you determine which kind would be best.

*Quick Overview: HTML is the standard coding language of the world wide web. Flash is an Adobe product that allows for interactivity and creative animations.

HTML

Most websites you see are made of HTML web pages, made entirely of HTML code. This code is read by your internet browser and displayed as text or images on your computer screen.

Pros of HTML


Easy to Update
Beacuse HTML is a simple text code, updating it is relatively simple. Also, the code requires no special program or licensing to write, so you can edit your own web pages whenever you want with relative ease.

Fast Loading
Lean-mean HTML code is read very quickly by your internet browser. This means that each page will take relatively little time to load on even the slowest connections.

Search Engine Friendly
Search engines like Google and Yahoo! read the HTML code that makes up your web page. If you have important keywords in this code, search engines will see those keywords and display your site in search results. So, if showing up on Google for a specific term or phrase, (like Seattle Website Design, for example), is important to you, stick with HTML

Cons of HTML


Limited Animation
Some simple animations can be made using graphics and a scripting language like JavaScript, but nothing beats Flash when creating complex animations. Flash still remains the easiest way to create and incorporate animation elements into a website.

Limited Graphic Abilities
If you're still using tables for HTML layouts, you're probably very much aware of their limitations. If you've advanced to the HTML <DIV> tag then you've got more ability to overlay graphic elements. But different internet browsers sometimes display the exact same code in slightly different ways. Getting graphic elements to align perfectly in different browsers can become a very time consuming game of trial-and-error.

FLASH

Many high-end websites are done entirely in Flash, or contain at least some Flash components. Some common examples of Flash components are media players (audio or video), complex animations, complex user interactivity, or webpage based video games.

Pros of Flash


Animation
Sophisticated animation can bring a website to a whole other level, and interactivity can bring users back to your site time-and-time again. There are ways to include basic animations in a web page without Flash, but Flash's ability to create masterful animations and interactivity are unrivaled. If you desire sharp animations to draw your user in, you should consider using at least some Flash elements on your website.

Wide Graphic Possibilities
Layering elements in complex ways isn't a problem for Flash. Flash allows you to overlay elements with an easy drop-and-drag interface, and will display that same graphics equally across all browsers.

Include Multimedia
If you want to have an audio or video player on your website, you will mostly like use Flash. You can include playback buttons for streaming media that will be delivered to the user in the sharpest quality.

Cons of Flash


Less Updateable
That fact of the matter is that Flash is just not as updateable as HTML code. The most prominent reason for this is that Flash elements can only be made using the $700 Adobe Flash program. If your designer creates some Flash elements for your site, you will be unable to edit those elements without the program and the knowledge how to use it.

Not Search Engine Friendly
Unfortunately, search engines just don't read Flash movies with the same ease that they read HTML. If search engine rankings matter to you at all, it is important to avoid putting important text or you website's navigation into a Flash video.