There has been a lot of debate over the past few years about the advantages or disadvantages of Flash websites as opposed to HTML websites. One of the topics of disagreement is whether search engine optimization works with Flash websites. The answer is not as cut and dried as many people would make it out to be.
First of all, let it be said that HTML websites are naturally search engine friendly when it comes to recognizing text content and links. The search engines have no trouble crawling and indexing the material on an HTML website because it is in a rather plain and uncluttered form. If you have an HTML website, your webmaster can write basic HTML programming and include your SEO content to bring you your website traffic.
On the other hand, Flash websites have the reputation for being difficult to read by the search engines. Common wisdom says that text and links are embedded in Flash websites to the point that search engines cannot read it. This has been the standard argument by HTML programmers for years.
However, with the use of XTML for the text-based content, a Flash website can be picked up as easily as an HTML site. It is up to the webmaster to get this right. If the proper coding is done, there should be no problem with Flash SEO.
If you do not want to or cannot afford to hire someone skilled in website programming, you can use a content management system (CMS). With the right CMS, you can have a Flash website that is not only search engine friendly, but is also easy to update all by yourself. You do not have to know HTML or XTML either. You just type in the content the way you want it to appear.
All this information is irrelevant if you like the look and functionality of an HTML website the best. Many people prefer it, and like the fact that it loads up quickly and easily even for analog users. However, Flash websites offer a more attractive, eye-catching, and exciting visual impact, with sights and sounds that will keep many visitors on the website long enough to discover and buy your products.
Businesses who are just setting up their websites should consider all these factors. SEO for websites is also important for people who already have Flash sites. You need to know that there is a way to include SEO in your Flash site with the proper programming or a content management system. Otherwise, you will miss a ton of traffic that is just waiting for you on the web.
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