SEO and Flash!

[Scuzzelbutt]

I just got hired at a company that has a HTML website. They are ranked
number one for what the company offers. It being something that there
are not a lot of on the web, which might be why they are ranked so
high.

I have been working on a new flash for them which will be 90% flash. I
am sorta concerned that we might lose out on the #1 spot because some
of the horror stories that go along with people thinking that the
google bots do not see the content embedded inside flash. I have been
trying to keep the same names as much as I can from the old website.

Does anyone know how this might effect the rankings of these site?
Does google really not search the flash content? Do you think I will
lose the number one spot because I am making a new website, specially
since it's flash.

Any suggestions, comments, help will be appreciated.

~Thanks

[Shuemue]

All I will say is this.

Don't use fucking Flash. It's insecure and bloated. Write a proper website.

[Olo401]

If flash is done properly and securely, and is checked by the client before it goes live, there is no problem with it.

As far as SEO is concerned, I've been through it at my current workplace (I work for a travel/tourism website) and it doesn't seem like it's done anything for us. Then again, it's possible the SEO contractor we hired did a crappy job. At the moment we've put any future SEO work on hold in order to implement a full redesign of the website.

[Shuemue]

If flash is done properly and securely, and is checked by the client before it goes live, there is no problem with it.

Unfortunately that only applies to a small fraction of the flash that gets published.

[Scuzzelbutt]

I really hate using HTML bcuz its so old fashion and just looks well grandpa~ish.

From what I've read and understand, the new version of Flash has built in scripts that help with SEO. I could rebuild the website quickly in HTML but I guess I am looking for some type of insurance with it.

[Thoronas]

The new flash won't be coming out for several months. If you want something new and snazzy use CSS and http://jquery.com to make your site look more up to date.

Do not sacrifice utility and high ranked SEO for flashy appearance. That's the worst thing you can do as a designer.

[Olo401]

Unfortunately that only applies to a small fraction of the flash that gets published.

Agreed - usually that will come from a professional PR agency or an independent Flash junkie. I've worked with both, and tbh our in-house guy is WAY better than the agencies.

[The Blackrose]

I really hate using HTML bcuz its so old fashion and just looks well grandpa~ish.

Then get the hell off my lawn.

That or do as Thoronas recommended and look into CSS. Somedays I just love to trudge around the Zen Garden (http://www.csszengarden.com/).

Granted you will run into legacy browser issues...

[Scuzzelbutt]

I've heard of people saying that they can convert Flash to HTML. Anyone ever hear about this?

[Kaisha]

I can't see that being possible unless it was done via slices and a shitload of images.


I'm also anti-Flash in terms of web-design, if I can't middle-click a link into a new tab, I'm pissed.
(not to mention that the way most flash-sites handle themself is that the entire contents of a page has to be loaded before *anything* is displayed)

[Norelco]

Flash is best used like salt and pepper...you use it to enhance flavor, but it should NEVER be the main course.

[Thoronas]

Flash is best used like salt and pepper...you use it to enhance flavor, but it should NEVER be the main course.

QFT.

Many of decorative things people want their website to do can be easier with javascript and css than in flash. It tends to be easier to edit as well.

[bebeci]

SEO will check for stuff like <h1> headers and metadata tags.
If you switch to flash, you could always later it on top of your header tags.