There are some pretty significant issues with using Flash. I'm not telling people not to use it, but you better make an informed decision. The price you pay may be thousands of dollars in lost sales.

I get panic calls all week from Wedding Professionals who have used Flash to design their website.

"I can't get (or find) my website into the search engines"

"I'm not getting any inquiries"

"I spent a lot of money on this site and need to fix it fast"

These are very serious issues and part of the problem with Flash.

What Is Flash?

Flash is a technology from a company named Macromedia that allows a web programmer/designer to implement animated graphics, movies, and even sound at a website. In a nutshell it's a presentation tool. It can be used to create an entire website (i.e. all Flash) or just pieces and parts. It can also be used to create navigation systems and menus from page to page.

Think of it as where the Internet meets television.

There's no doubt that it's pretty cool technology and it creates an opportunity for some pretty fancy presentations. In most cases, Flash designers usually use it because they can and not because they need to. Sometimes they forget the Internet isn't television.

The questions you have to ask are:

Do fancy presentations generate inquiries and close sales?

Should you be letting your programmer design your web site?

The answers are: No and no.

No, fancy presentations do not generate more inquiries and sales.

No, programmers should not be the main driving force behind your online marketing (an online marketing specialist should be).

While I think a professionally designed website with a solid and creative presentation can be a very effective marketing tool, the cost of that type of success with FLASH is probably out of most people's budgets ($5000-10,000+).

I'm talking about an integration of high-quality video, audio, and graphics, in a seamless, stable-loading, Flash presentation. I'm not talking "Flash templates" and amateur "build it in Flash" stuff. That just won't cut it in today's competitive environment.

Three of the typical problems with Flash occur when:

* An entire site is designed using Flash

* Flash navigation systems are created without redundant text (spider followable) links

* Large Flash splash/intro pages with no "skip intro" option

For now, what you should know is that using Flash is:

* Problematic for search engine indexing and search engine ranking

* Generally requires higher costs without corresponding better results or return on investment

* It can quickly put you at a competitive disadvantage

Advantage Members: This article with tips, work-arounds, and more information about Flash is continued here: http://www.bookmoreweddings.com/members/180.cfm

Join my Book More Wedding Advantage Program today and learn MORE about Flash and how you can use it effectively or work around issues you're having with your Flash site today.

You'll also have access to additional "members only" information that will help you beat your competition, get more brides and grooms to your website, and convert the brides that do visit into inquiries and sales.

I stand behind my program 100% with a no questions asked 100% money back guarantee - your investment is about .25 cents a day (annual membership option). http://www.bookmoreweddings.com/public/10.cfm

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