The Serious Drawbacks to Using FLASH for Web Design: Usability, SEO, Editability

March 30, 2009 · 186 comments

Visiting the many golf-related Web sites while doing research for NoBogies is a continual reminder of a major Web design issue commonly seen on business Web sites: using Flash everywhere and especially ONLY using Flash. The only thing I have never figured out is WHY Web designers are doing this in the first place! Perhaps they teach them to do so in college?

I wonder how many companies realize the serious drawbacks and what an extremely poor Web experience Flash sites provide for a very large segment of the Internet-using population? Even among golfers there are bound to be many who simply can not benefit from these types of sites.

Here’s how one exceptional Web Designer and SEO I know replied to my question about whether Flash is still a bad idea:

MikeTek: @GrowMap: Beyond the usability (which is generally awful) the SEO implications of a full-Flash site can be horrendous.

[NOTE: Mike is the author of an exceptional Web Design SEO blog called UnstuckDigital and offers Web Design and SEO Services. We highly recommend him.]

Instead of reinventing the wheel I will share here what many others have to say about what Flash is good for and why many uses are seriously impacting the effectiveness, usability and find-ability of sites using it incorrectly:

Why Flash Is Generally A BAD Idea For Your Company’s Web Site
Why Flash Websites are are Really, Really Bad Idea – Huge debate there from designers who love Flash and Internet Strategists and SEOs who share the limitations [Warning: some bad language.]
Why Flash Websites are a Bad Idea
Flash: 99% Bad – Excellent detail on major usability issues
25% of All Web Users Are Disabled

Are you starting to see a pattern here? Here is a short list of the issues covered more extensively in the excellent posts I shared above:

Flash requires a proprietary plug-in that DOES NOT work at all on all systems and must be manually loaded on others.
No User Accessibility on phones, many PCs, 64 bit operating systems, slower Internet connections, and those with limited bandwidth or who block Flash because they must pay for extra bandwidth.
Administrative accessibility: can YOU edit your flash files yourself? What will you do if the person who created the Flash is not available to make changes?
Flash is bad for SEO: Most Search Engines do NOT index flash so your site will have poor search engine placement.

If your site is primarily Flash you simply can not reach much of your intended audience. The solution for those who have already invested in a Flash site is to offer an html version of your site and ALWAYS offer a way to bypass the Flash and get to an html page.

Want to see what visitors to your site see? Turn off Flash or use FlashBlockPro. This is what I see when I visit a Web page featuring Flash:

Imagine someone seeing your site as one large image like that or a page with several smaller identical images. How long do you suppose most visitors who only see these images will stay on your site? The only thing worse than a site full of Flash is one that automatically plays music!

NEW: If you already have a Flash site, are a Flash developer or really want to use it you owe it to yourself to read The Truth about Flash Websites and SEO. Mike specifically explains:

“if your website is driven by Flash a non-Flash version should be displayed for browsers without Flash support”

I would add that you should also provide a way to exit any Flash intro and select the html version manually even if your browser DOES support Flash!

NEW: Many Web site owners THINK they really, really want a Flash site. The solution to this issue and some others is to buy them a copy of the book Don’t Make Me Think. Giving one to the decision makers is a good way to get your points across without being confrontational. I’ve heard of consultants giving copies to CEOs, CIOs, or whomever is pushing for a Flash site. Here is more information on it:

*** Don’t Make Me Think by Steven Krug *** Every person involved in the design, creation, ownership or any other aspect of any Web site should own this book. It is simple, concise, to the point, and easy enough for anyone to understand – even people with no Internet or technical background.

You can read a Sample Chapter from the book. Buying a copy of this book for every member of your Team will be the best thing any Web site owner ever did. You’ll never make obvious mistakes again if you keep this book handy! Have a CEO or Owner asking you to make one? Give them this book! [NOTE: Look for the second edition.]

What do YOU think? Let us know in the comments. We use CommentLuv and all comments are dofollow.

More Resources on Web Design and Flash:

When Should You Have a Flash Website or Use Flash on a Web site (Jun 19, 2009)
WheFlash and Search Engine Optimization: The Latest on How Well Google Indexes Flash (Mar 17, 2009)
When Will Flash Become a Trend? (Mar 11, 2009)
Seven Opinions to Avoid Flash Like the Plague While Designing Web Sites (Feb 27, 2009)
Create Effective Search Engine Optimization Using Flash–Yes Flash (Feb 3, 2009)
Nielsen Norman Group Report: Usability of Rich Internet Applications and Web-Based Tools: Design Guidelines Based on User Testing of 46 Flash Tools

WEB DESIGN MISTAKES:

Jakob Nielsen‘s Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design
Top Ten Web Design Mistakes of 1999 (still relevant)
Mystery Meat Navigation (MMN) Any non-obvious navigation or text than only appears when you move your mouse over it.

INCREASING CONVERSION RATES:

Tagged as: web design

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{ 178 comments… read them below or add one }

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ishu July 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Still too new, will wait and see
Thanks for the info, it’s good to have another source of cheap traffic
Thanks again.
Good Luck

fta files Twitter: c July 16, 2009 at 11:29 pm Twitter: @c

I expect that those bots may read flash in the near future. By the way, I didn’t know that there are many bad drawbacks like you mentioned. Thanks for the post.

Andy who writes about Infrastructure Outsourcing Twitter: marketraise June 29, 2009 at 1:22 am Twitter: @marketraise

Flash sites mainly focuses on images and very little on the text.Earlier search engines were not able to index flash sites as bots required content or text to crawl them.But it is said as of now, that search engines do crawl and index Adobe Flash based sites,if HTML pages of these Flash Pages are created.
From SEO point of view,the basic elements such as Anchor Texts,Heading tags,image alt tags are all very much complicated or sometimes ignored while implementing with Flash.

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap September 27, 2009 at 10:24 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Many Web Designers lack SEO knowledge and that is true whether they are using Flash or not. It is unfortunate that businesses don’t really know how to evaluate Web Development companies.
.-= Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..Instantly Acquire 76 High Quality Incoming Links =-.

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Razoze June 28, 2009 at 7:10 am

Flash is not good in SEO
.-= Razoze´s last blog ..Need Those Sales? Exploit the Search Engines This Way First =-.

hard drive repair June 20, 2009 at 7:43 pm

I just learn web design from early had not like flash because one reason such as you told it does not work at all on all system and must be manually loaded on others

hard drive repair’s last blog post..Speed Up Computer

Manop who writes about Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras June 16, 2009 at 10:51 pm

Wow! I don’t use flash in my sites because I know that search engines’ bots can’t understand them. However, I expect that those bots may read flash in the near future. By the way, I didn’t know that there are many bad drawbacks like you mentioned. Thanks for the post.

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 19, 2009 at 2:20 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Hello Manop,

Google claims they can read some Flash and it is possible to make Flash more search engine friendly. It still has all these other issues though so it is best used for entertainment, games, or short movies.

Internet Strategist’s last blog post..How to Create a Successful Blog Based Business Part 1

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katie who writes about offshore outsourcing June 13, 2009 at 12:22 am

As far as there is no concern in SEO, flash can be used to the hilt. Excellent stuff indeed!

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 19, 2009 at 2:16 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: I totally disagree unless all the content in Flash is also provided in text. Those with older PCs, slower Internet connections, or bandwidth limits will not view Flash files. Researchers and those who build reference sites will not find what is hidden in Flash so those sites attract far fewer incoming links.

Internet Strategist’s last blog post..How to Add Your Free Business Listing to infoUSA

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Nick Twitter: DKS_Systems June 12, 2009 at 12:19 pm Twitter: @DKS_Systems

Flash can be amazing, a lot of really cool designs can be made with it too! Unfortunately because of the search engines not being able to read it or index it we don’t opt to use it much anymore… that is unless we decide were ok with something not being recognized by the SE.

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 13, 2009 at 11:27 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Hi Nick,

Flash is great for creating some content – just not for important information that needs to be searched. Ideally a great site could use both. Some people like to view video; others like to read. It is always wise to cater to both.

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Ray who writes about Sunshine coast web design June 11, 2009 at 5:23 am

Hi,
Very nice post.If you use lot of flash in your site and the content in your site minimum than it is difficult that your site rank high in the Google.Because content is king according the Google. Thanks for the sharing

Ray’s last blog post..Brisbane Logo Design: When Change is Necessary

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 13, 2009 at 11:26 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Welcome Ray,

Yes, I agree and not just for search engines. It is also important to visitors who want to search your site.

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Yash who writes about Child support attorney Twitter: SNVINFOTECH June 10, 2009 at 3:06 am Twitter: @SNVINFOTECH

Hi,
It just is not the best way to display an entire Web site or anything your visitors may wish to search for instead of watch. Those who build sites have an obligation to explain the issues involved to their clients BEFORE they accept the work.
Thanks.

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 13, 2009 at 7:39 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Hello Yash,

Yes, designers should always explain the pros and cons before they accept the work. I suspect though that many don’t know what they are.

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Creative lounge May 31, 2009 at 5:11 am

Web sites for search engines or web sites for human? I accept Flash has it own drawback when it comes to SEO, i used to be a flash developer in my early career but i am more into php+mysql now.

Sorry i could not read all the comments, i hate reading large text pages. It is the content of the site that makes it popular not SEO. You need SEO if you are selling shoes, you do not need SEO if you are a company like Ford and selling Mustang ( http://www.fordvehicles.com/the2010mustang / ) .

@Tracy
You are probably unaware about XML driven dynamic Photo galleries like
flashden.net/item/fullscreen-gallery-xml-driven/full_screen_preview/43376 .

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 13, 2009 at 7:38 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Hi Creative,

I agree that Web design must first be about the user. I may have more objections to Flash because I am a wordsmith and do a lot of searches when researching a subject. Anything in Flash is usually unsearchable so it is as if that content did not even exist.

Some people (like me) prefer to read; others (often designers) prefer multi-media presentations. The readers of my blog are more likely to be thinkers and readers than designers. You are the second person recently who prefers images to words. The other is a specialist in logo design.

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Johnson from Professional Web Design May 29, 2009 at 8:41 am

Web developers enjoy creating sites with flash, and clients think it looks flash!!

That’s the main reason why so many use it. They don’t think about the major drawbacks. As more people realise it’s a bad idea its usage will decrease dramatically.

Internet Strategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap June 13, 2009 at 7:35 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Hi Johnson,

That is why I recommend Steve Krug’s great book Don’t Make Me Think. It helps business owners and anyone involved in designing a Web site understand how specific design elements affect usability.

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Garden Sheds May 5, 2009 at 6:33 pm

Interesting thoughts on Flash, very helpful for a slow learner and will be a more informed user in the future!
Regards Penelope

InternetStrategist who writes about GrowMap.com Twitter: GrowMap May 6, 2009 at 9:33 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Welcome Penelope. There is much more here for you to learn, especially the information on increasing traffic through proven free methods and how to increase conversions through improved usability and copywriting.

InternetStrategist’s last blog post..How to Create a Successful Blog Based Business Part 1

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Chris who writes about electronic components April 28, 2009 at 4:08 pm

I can’t tell you the countless times friends and coworkers of mine wanted a flash site. HOWEVER! I have that having a link that points to the flash version and the html version is a smart alternative if you really do want a flash site.

I still love flash though.

InternetStrategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap April 28, 2009 at 5:02 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: As long as there is also an html version AND you provide a way to bypass it immediately there is no problem using Flash. I can’t tell you how many times businesses have had sites built that would not work on older PCs or slower Internet connections.

Those who build sites have an obligation to explain the issues involved to their clients BEFORE they accept the work. At least suggest they read Steve Krug’s book Don’t Make Me Think. He explains the issues clearly.

InternetStrategist’s last blog post..WordPress 2.7 Threaded Comments Works In Thesis

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web design and development April 27, 2009 at 7:38 am

i think flash should be used in an adequate manner because where it is not useful for searches at the same time visitors peers for flash contents in the web pages so it should be used fairly.

InternetStrategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap April 28, 2009 at 3:00 pm Twitter: @GrowMap: Flash can be great for videos; it just is not the best way to display an entire Web site or anything your visitors may wish to search for instead of watch. Even if I didn’t have to put up with the download limits of satellite Internet I don’t have time to watch long videos to find what I want.

Sites that offer products and services are greatly decreasing their potential conversions. Busy Internet users want to quickly find exactly what they’re seeking – and Flash is not the way to make that happen.

InternetStrategist’s last blog post..WordPress 2.7 Threaded Comments Works In Thesis

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InternetStrategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap April 9, 2009 at 11:04 pm Twitter: @GrowMap

@Dennis I remembered this comment but missed it last round. LOL I have never been rich. I had a friend who built his own ISP and I built that site using a PC in his spare office.

I spent hours after work every day adding pages. There was so much quality content that Yahoo! added a new directory category for it and it made $400 in AdSense a month. I never could have built a site that big without fast access and dedicated time.

InternetStrategist’s last blog post..Blog Traffic Up 54.87% in the Last 30 Days: Our Proven Traffic Improvement Strategy

InternetStrategist who writes about GrowMap Twitter: GrowMap April 9, 2009 at 1:58 pm Twitter: @GrowMap

@Rein Thank you. I hope you noticed the book I recommended by Steve Krug. It is a great way to dissuade those who THINK they want a totally Flash site or Flash Intro.

InternetStrategist’s last blog post..Why You Can NOT Rely Solely on Organic Search Listings for Traffic and Revenue

Rein Valdez April 8, 2009 at 1:54 am

Very informative post! Exactly the things to be considered by a webmasters if incorporating a flash in a website project.

Great man!

Rein Valdez’s last blog post..Happy Reality and Facts

Internet Strategist Twitter: GrowMap April 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm Twitter: @GrowMap

@RobMichael You’ll get better traffic and lower bounce rates for having done so. I’m not against all Flash – it has proper uses such as videos. It just is not a good idea for entire sites or the majority of the content on an information or store site.

@Derek Yes, you’re right. It also reminds me of sites that had multiple twirling animated images and the banners with text that slid back and forth.

@David True. It really worries me that Google seems to be the only consideration for more and more people. I’m working on a new post right now that shows the serious danger that has created.

Internet Strategist’s last blog post..Blog Traffic Up 54.87% in the Last 30 Days: Our Proven Traffic Improvement Strategy

electric push bikes April 6, 2009 at 12:19 am

Thanks for the drawbacks its really helpful for me for using or selecting the tools for making my site.

David who writes about SEM Labs April 4, 2009 at 6:11 pm

Yeah. Flash is not a good idea to make a full site in. Having some elements in flash can be ok though. However, Google is getting quite good at dealing with this. I think Google have even started reading vector files and I know they are also OCRing PDFs that are just images.

David’s last blog post..Free Fluid WordPress Themes and CSS Templates

Derek Twitter: dereksemmler April 4, 2009 at 1:19 pm Twitter: @dereksemmler

The use of Flash on most sites reminds me of the hideous use of the “blink” tag back in the day. Ugh!

Derek’s last blog post..Happy Birthday, Derek Semmler dot com!

Dennis Edell Twitter: DennisEdell April 3, 2009 at 1:34 pm Twitter: @DennisEdell

“I built my first Web sites in the mid to late ’90s on a T-1 line…”

Must be nice to be wealthy. LOL

Dennis Edell’s last blog post..UPDATED! Opening INTERNAL Links- New Window or Same Window?

Andrew Smith Twitter: GrowMap April 2, 2009 at 10:33 pm Twitter: @GrowMap

I don’t want to really get into a huge debate but Flash is not bad. It’s a tool that can be used or abused. Most arguments against Flash can be solved by the designer (except the proprietary one). Alternative content “under” Flash make the content accessible, search friendly etc. XML used to easily update and there is currently no better video delivery method period.

RobMichael who writes about Muso Twitter: GrowMap April 2, 2009 at 10:35 pm Twitter: @GrowMap

I’ve taken direct measures to eliminate flash from my site for the above reasons. Fortunately, the content of my flash-based widgets can be brought into the site via RSS.

RobMichael’s last blog post..Olive & Vine w/ Cliff & Cynthia

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