Volume 1, Issue 5

Concept: Macromedia Flash

Ten years ago a program called Macromedia Flash 1.0 was released to define the next generation of web development. It allowed web designers to appeal to more of a user’s senses, with moving graphics, selective sounds, and interactive features. Over the past decade, the number of Internet users has increased by 110% in the U.S., and more critically, so have their needs.

With over two-hundred million people in North America using the Internet today, consumers are looking for more than entertainment online. Purchasing products and services, researching for more information, and accessing online banking systems are now regular reasons to visit the Web. With this trend in the market, the need for more functionality is now a necessity. Because more client-focused websites are becoming the standard for web development, many Flash sites are unable to compete with the usability of HTML sites. Here are some pros and cons of using Macromedia Flash:

Pros to using Flash:

• Flash is still the best tool for video playback on websites, if video is an integral part of your marketing plan. Most people already have the plug-in and it loads quicker than QuickTime and Windows Media Players.
• Flash is useful when designing banner advertising to motivate people to visit the site. These banners allow smoother transitions and flexibility in design.
• Presentation designs created with Flash help sell products and services, train employees, etc.

Cons to building sites entirely in Macromedia Flash:

• Flash load times are longer than HTML sites. Users working on dial-up speeds may end up waiting for long periods of time for Flash pages to load.
• The browser functions are rendered useless (ie. back button, history, and book marking.)
• Web searchers are unable to copy items from the site (ie. contact info), unless the web developer has gone out of their way to make them available.
• Flash sites do not follow web standards.
• Flash sites lack ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliance. Font size cannot be increased and devices that help read for the handicapped are ineffective on sites built only in Macromedia Flash.
• Search engines like Google cannot index the entire site.
• Viewers cannot see Flash on mobile devices, which are increasingly being used by techno-savvy clients to search for information and services.

For more information on sites built with Flash, contact us today. Our experts will work with you to design a site that integrates these technologies to provide you with the competitive edge you need in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.

Recipe: Sales Tips

At Noble Studios we know how important the sale is. After listening to our clients and their clients over the years, we have come up with a few hints to help you along in your next sale.

• Listen to your client – Dream with them. Discover interests you have in common in order to build a comfortable and trusting relationship with your client.
• Always follow through – You are only as good as your actions. This is the number one reason you’ll get referrals and retain clients.
• Stay informed – It is very important to be a knowledgeable resource. (If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it)
• Understand the problem at hand – By knowing what your client’s problems are, it is easier to find the proper solution. Don’t waste their time or money by guessing.
• Don’t over-promise – You’ll set goals for yourself that you’ll never be able to meet. It is better to over-deliver than to set your client’s expectations too high.
  Under-promise + Over-deliver = Very Happy Customer.

Project: Willow Springs Center

Willow Springs Center, a residential treatment center for children and adolescents in Reno, Nevada, launched a new site this month designed by Noble Studios. The site is fully updateable with a custom-developed content management system. The management system gives select employees the opportunity to make site updates with separate usernames and logins. Only two days after the site launched, the first submission for admission was made online and the employees were ecstatic. Congratulations on your success, Willow Springs Center!