Flash and Your Target Audience

In a recent blog we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of using images or Flash as part of your website’s navigation structure.

• SEO
• Search ability
• Accessibility
• Usability
• Editing flexibility

We concluded that if you decide to use Flash or images as part of your website navigation, it is important to have a text-based version or alternative content located somewhere on your website (for those who may not be able to view these design elements).

But, what about target audience? It is even more important to consider your target demographic when making these design decisions.

Ask yourself, who is my demographic? And, will my target demographic understand how to navigate through a Flash website or not?

It’s also important to remember that Apple products, like the iPhone or iPad, do not display Flash. So, if you’re target audience is likely to check out your website on one of these mobile devices – it’s probably best to steer clear from Flash, or at least provide an alternate image in its place.

In my opinion, Flash is great on a website in small doses. Flash is often the technology of choice when choosing to display animations, games or advertisements on your website. But, just be aware of some of its disadvantages like speed limitations, accessibility and usability.

To create some interest in your website design, try creating a Flash banner on your homepage that rotates through important images like organization events or products that your company sells, rather than structuring your entire website around the technology.

And most definitely, do not forget to consider your target audience when making any and every design decision.