Sometimes, our web designers come across an old website built with Flash. It’s almost like listening to an old song. It simultaneously transports us back to simpler times and makes us wonder, “What were people thinking?” In December 2020, Google Chrome will end support for Flash Player.Flash-based websites, which are the ones that have complex layouts, sound effects, and opening animations, disappeared many years ago, regardless of whether you work in web design. Although they didn’t go extinct completely, they did go out of fashion quickly. So, the question is: What killed Flash web design? Let’s find out the answers…
FLASH WAS NOT SEO FRIENDLY
The biggest problem with Flash websites was the fact that they were not only visually appealing (or so we thought), but also had to be coded in such a way as to display text instead of visuals. This might seem like a good thing, considering that most people prefer images to writing. However, a layout that was solely image-based made it difficult for search visibility. Google’s search engines can easily understand text. Images can be more difficult to understand and decipher. Flash was used to create your website, which meant that you were unlikely to receive a lot of search traffic. This is something most businesses can’t do without.
CUSTOMERS ARE TIRED OF FLASH INTROS
Human nature has the unfortunate side effect that any idea that is innovative, creative or popular will be overused until people dislike it. Flash website intros proved to be a perfect example. It was initially interesting to watch an animation load up. It was almost as if designers were competing to impress buyers with their new combinations of motion and images. We finally reached a point when there were so many Flash animations online, that people wanted to skip over them and get to real content. Flash’s popularity led to Flash’s own demise.
FLASH MUST BE PATCHED CONSTANTLY
Flash’s disadvantages as a design tool are often overlooked. Flash’s underlying software must be updated and patched regularly to ensure it remains stable and secure. Website visitors who didn’t have the most recent version of the software or the visitor who did not bother to update it, the site could fail to load or be infected by viruses and malware. This was bad news for customers and a big turnoff for businesses.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT WEB TECHNOLOGY
Flash’s story is a typical example of many web technologies. Although Flash was entertaining and fun at the beginning, it quickly became obvious that there were not many real uses after that initial excitement. It was not enough to avoid Flash on your website. You also need to weigh the pros and con’s of each tool before you decide if it is necessary to grow your business.