Flash - To help make your site look dynamic, flash elements could be added into your front or sub pages. From simple picture transitions to the complex movement options, today's tools you pay a fraction of the cost for that professional, artistic, informational or dynamic look. But what is the right amount, and when is it too much?
Flash has really come a long way. You don't often see the loading bars come up as often, and this is due to two major factors. One is the speed in which you surf the web. DSL is the low end standard used today, and it is an excellent benchmark. But speed isn't the only factor. With so many different tools out there for building Flash, you some great ways of compressing images before they are inserted, vector art to help keep clarity, and Flash itself has added some great compression filters. So things load quicker, while the images themselves have become much larger. Look at any website for a new blockbuster movie that is coming out and you will likely see large graphic being used, movement, voice and/or music, but not the loading bar.
Know your target audience. You will see this throughout this blog. High end flash does not make sense if your target audience is going to have to wait before every page comes up. Sometimes having both a html and flash version of the site is a good alternative. But it can become costly to update two sites.
The only drawback to flash at this time is that the search engines can not read text in the flash files. So if you rely on this alone, you will have a harder time placing in or near the top of places like Google, Yahoo, MSN and Ask.com. But they are working on it!
Database Development - Will your site require a database? If you need to gather information from your users, and don't want to type it all out into a spreadsheet later, then the answer is yes. This will allow you to have the ability to quickly look up certain fields to sort the information you've gathered.
If you come to the conclusion that you need a database, please try to write down your needs beforehand. What fields might be needed, how you want to sort everything out. This will make it easier for a web designer to come up with an estimated quote. But don't be afraid to ask about alternative methods. Sometimes cost is a factor. Don't spend more than you can afford. The web is flexible now. What you may not have today, you can add tomorrow when it fits into your budget.
Please Note: Some database projects can not be quoted over the phone due to the size and complexities of your project. A face to face meeting to hammer out the details will be required. So if you hear something like that, don't be taken back that they are trying to force you into their offices. You want no hidden surprises down the road. This, in many cases, makes the most sense to do.
