SEO Techniques For Flash On Your Website

Using flash used to be one of the forbidden things to do in search engine optimization (SEO) but this is becoming more and more an archaic rule. Now, using Flash in your website is an understandable and acceptable move in your part, but you have to make sure that you’re using Flash properly.

The Proper Way of Using Flash on Your Website
Flash animation never fails to impress readers – if they decide to stick around long enough to download it, that is. Flash animation contains heavy data which could take ages to see, depending on the speed of the viewer’s Internet connection and the bandwidth allowed.

Because of this, it’s very important that users are always given the choice not to view Flash animation if they aren’t willing to exert effort in seeing it. There must always be an alternative offered if you don’t want to lose customers – instead of gaining new ones – because of installing Flash on your website.

Also, concentrate on making Flash movies instead of designing the whole website using Flash. Although both Google and Yahoo are boasting of their newfound abilities to index Flash websites, these functions are still relatively new and not as widespread or effective as standard indexing techniques used by search engine spiders.

Tips on SEO Techniques for Flash on Your Website
If you are truly convinced that your website is better off with Flash animation as part of its makeup, here are several SEO techniques to ascertain that what you do make in Flash will help rather than hurt the search engine rankings of your website.

Tip #1 Always use multiple pages. Many website owners make the mistake of using just one page and one Flash movie to make up their websites. Even if you have only a handful of keywords to focus on simply doesn’t mean you can go ahead with your one-page plans. To use Flash effectively and make it SEO friendly, create the necessary movie using a different page and optimize them both by giving it the right title and supporting it with the right content. If there is absolutely no content you could use to accompany it, make sure at least that each and every page using Flash has the necessary meta tag.

Tip #2 Mix Flash with HTML. Earlier on, you were advised to make various Flash movies instead of making a single page Flash site. In addition to that, you should design your website with a combination of Flash and HTML as well. One way of doing that is by creating Flash movies then placing them inside an HTML page that has HTML-based content and navigation process.

Tip #3 Maximize the use of Flash. Don’t just convert anything and everything into Flash movies. Flash animation will be more impressive if you use it sparingly and only for the appropriate purpose. Using Flash for virtual tours of the website and introductions are good matches for Flash because those who decide to take them almost always have the time necessary to wait for the movies to finish downloading.

Tip #4 Avoid creating a group of HTML-based entry pages for the sake of directing all of them to the same Flash movie. You might think you’ve gotten the better of search engine spiders, but actually all they’ll think you’re doing is spamming.

Tip #5 There is a certain feature in Internet Explorer of Microsoft that doesn’t allow ActiveX-based Flash to function properly. Make sure you perform the necessary adjustments to prevent this from becoming a problem.

Tip #6 When creating Flash movies, always remember to work for the following goals aside from search engine optimization: cleanliness of design, accessibility for different browsers not only for PC desktops and laptops but also for mobile phones and PDAs, and use of valid codes.

In the end, it’s still up to you to determine just how much you need Flash on your website. If profits greatly depend on search engine optimization, it might not be a smart decision on your part to completely build your website using Flash. If you feel you really need Flash, however, consider converting only parts of your website instead its entirety – and don’t worry, your website will still end up aesthetically impressive, but this time with the added bonus of search engine optimization.