Nancy McCord will be back blogging on August 16. This is one of her previously published articles.
Here are my top five web design myths and answers to each one.
- Search engine spiders can index Flash so I’m okay if my website has been built in Flash.
- How long it takes to load a website page doesn’t matter – everyone has DSL anyway.
- I like an entry page for my website that is all graphics it’s pretty and sets the tone.
- I was promised by this firm top placement on Google if they overhauled my home page and website.
- I want my website to have a lot of video why are viewers complaining to me that they can’t see my video.
1. Search engine spiders can index Flash so I’m okay if my website has been built in Flash.
Wrong, sorry, even Google states that they aren’t good yet on indexing Flash even though for nearly a year they have said they can index Flash. I can tell you that I get more calls for pay per click promotion and search engine optimization from websites done in all Flash. It is far better to use Flash judiciously say a hybrid html site with a Flash banner. What’s the purpose of having a website if no one can find you on search engines and if they can’t even bookmark a content page on your website?
2. How long it takes to load a website page doesn’t matter – everyone has DSL anyway.
Wrong, sorry, even Google AdWords is now counting how long it takes for a page to load. The industry standard is a load time under 10 seconds. The faster your load time the better.
3. I like an entry page for my website that is all graphics it’s pretty and sets the tone.
Whoops, so sorry this one is wrong too. Splash pages are old news. Now search engines want content and they want it fast. Readers don’t want to watch a movie about your business. It is the Burger King Syndrome – my way right away!
4. I was promised by this firm top placement on Google if they overhauled my home page and website.
Hmm, the home page IS really important, but no one and no firm can guarantee top placement on Google. Google very closely guards the secrets of placement to prevent others from spamming the system. If they are not on the Google payroll, they simply cannot know how to guarantee top placement.
5. I want my website to have a lot of video why are viewers complaining to me that they can’t see my video.
Video is great, but the home page should be about spiderable content. When you do provide video make sure you provide options. I have found that videos turned into Flash are the quickest loading on the Web, then comes Windows Media Player files, and last of all QuickTime. If you are going to have video use only one on your home page and make it a Flash video. Try a preloader option in your body tag for other important videos and provide viewing options.