Flash websites have been enticing web visitors and creators since their emergence.  However, there is debate over how effective this type of design technology is when it comes to online marketing. For some, Flash sites are considered to be preferred in comparison to the static HTML websites that have little to no moving parts. In spite of the popularity that Flash web design has garnered over the years, many businesses and online marketers concerned about  SEO rankings should beware!

Flash websites look cool, they add more visitor interactivity and make web sites more entertaining. However, there is  a lot more to the web than just having fun.  And, as we all know, there are a TON of things going on behind those beautiful and bright graphics that the average user views when surfing the web.

One of the biggest drawbacks to using a Flash website is the negative impact it has on the site’s SEO rankings. There’s no point in having a beautiful, exciting new website if no one can find it, right? So let’s take a look at  why Flash websites are still not compatible with search engine optimization (SEO) principles.

Flash is simply a software name created by Macromedia, which provides excellent animation quality on the web. Flash Plug-ins embedded on websites have the capability to make images, graphics, logos and animation appear to be in 3D mode, which is a lot livelier than basic HTML. In theory, the entertainment factor or enticement factor helps boosts up the odds that people will find your website more attractive and help to increase the amount of traffic on your site.  People who argue in favor of Flash web sites might also suggest that this type of design increases the likelihood that your audience will stay on your site for a longer duration of time, converting more prospects into customers.

While Flash websites are more appealing to the human eye, these websites will not be indexed by search engine spiders. In spite of showcasing enticing websites, owners of Flash sites may find it harder to rank decent in search engines because search engine crawlers have difficulty in detecting websites that utilize Flash. Yes, what the user sees on your website is incredibly important. At the same time, however; what web crawlers see is just as important. The difference between users and web crawlers is that web crawlers read the code that is hidden behind the images and graphics. In order to know how to rate and and rank your website in search engines, web crawlers MUST be able to view this code.

The myth about a customer staying longer on your site also does not mean a 100% conversion of sales. Based on statistics, the majority of online viewers are impatient, in terms of looking through what they really want. When it comes to web visitors looking to make purchases, price and product are the first items and information that users look for. If people need to sift through a ton of animation or close out introduction videos before they can get to what they are really after, this could be a deterrent and turn people away from your website.

Load time is another drawback with Flash websites. Both users and search engines are not fans of sites that take longer to load. Google added load time as a signal in their search ranking algorithms over two years ago and it has stuck ever since. Flash sites take much longer to load than HTML sites. As a result, they have lower SEO rankings and less popularity among users.

At the end of the day, simpler is better when it comes to your website. Sure, Flash in websites is appealing and enticing for some audiences, but it does not mean it appeals to everyone. The important thing is that you utilize web development  and design techniques that are both SEO and user friendly.

Your SEO strategy may not necessarily NEED a CMS. However, using the two together sure does make things a lot easier when it comes to Internet Marketing. A CMS, which stands for Content Management System, has been tagged as one of the first steps in any full comprehensive online marketing strategy, along with solving a lot of Internet marketing roadblocks. The CMS’s easy-to-use and customizable features allow websites to take SEO to the next level. Here are a few reasons why you should consider using a CMS to boost your SEO campaign.

1. Static is stupid - One of the most important factors of SEO, also known as Search Engine Optimization, is to avoid a static, stand still, boring website. Think of it this way – plants need sun and water so that they can get the nutrients they need to grow. If they don’t get either, they won’t grow. Now lets look at SEO. With SEO, in order for your website (a.k.a the plant) to rise in the rankings, you need your site to be seen (a.k.a get some sun). In order to get traffic you need pure, original content (a.k.a water). A CMS allows you to create vibrate and dynamic websites that are constantly changing with events, news, blogs, and more. This will allow your website to stay current and interesting. Otherwise you will either need to go into the files every day, pay someone to do it for you, or not update your site at all… Boring! Google thinks so too!
2. Meta is mighty – With a static website you’d have to go into the code and into every single page in order to change the keywords (Yes, I know maybe your programmer made it so that it’s all one page and it pulls it dynamically). But still, you have to go into the code. A lot of the time, I’m changing my keywords and page content around trying to see what works. How annoying would it be if you had to download each page? Using a CMS, allows you to easily change your meta tags, headers, and content. This makes your job less painful, and your goals much easier to accomplish.
3. Integration is important - With CMS’s it easily allows you to install modules or plugins that lets you install Google analytics. This easily allows you to also track certain pages differently, if needed. There are a ton of really cool modules for the major CMS systems that allows you to track your SEO right through your website or give you an SEO checklist of things that you can’t forget.
4. Sitemaps are serious – Ever try to maintain a sitemap of a site that changes content everyday by hand? Um, if you have that’s crazy. Especially because, a CMS will do everything for you. Just install the plugin and it will take care of the rest. No more worrying about keeping that thing up to date!
5. Redirects are ridiculous – If you’ve ever gone into the htaccess file it’s extremely easy to make a mistake and break your site. So now not only do you have your files, meta tags, sitemap, but the CMS lets add redirects to the maintenance list. So now you are spending all your time doing the tedious work that a CMS already does for you.
6. Clean is clever - CMS’s allows you to have clean beautiful URL’s that are easy to use and makes people remember. Instead of doing siteurl.com/thispage.php you can just have siteurl.com/thispage. This is much easier and better for the average user, who has no idea what PHP even is. Most people will probably forget it and type in html or just not go at all! Again, CMS makes SEO much easier!

There you have it. Six good reasons to use a CMS, especially if your doing SEO. While, I’m sure there are more reasons, these are the 6 I came up with. As I have written above, Content Management Systems such as Drupal and WordPress make  doing Search Engine Optimization a million times easier. It takes all the tedious and time consuming work away to allow you to focus on other important aspects of your website responsibilities.

The internet is probably the single most powerful marketing tool you are ever likely to use. With the potential to reach billions of homes around the globe, the Internet provides endless opportunities to market your company. Online marketing has already created many millionaires, many of whom now have businesses that practically run themselves. There are many ways to promote and advertise your company online. The following are proven to be very effective marketing tools:

1. Website. Setting up a website will allow you to introduce your company to internet users allowing you to target a bigger audience. You will be able to showcase your different products and services and boost sales.

2. Email Marketing. You can set up an official email address for your company and start soliciting email addresses of previous customers and prospective clients. This is a cost effect way to market future promotions, new products, and surveys.

3. Press Releases. Internet press releases work similarly to traditional newspaper press releases. Once you have written your press release you will then need to make sure you place it on numerous websites that receive a lot of traffic. Internet press releases enable you to gain as much marketing exposure for your business as possible.

4. Article Marketing. Article marketing uses keyword-focused articles on article sites. This is an important website promotion technique because some of these article syndication sites have a significant readership following. This will help increase your exposure and promote new business.

5. Online Marketing Research. Online marketing methods consist of surveys and questionnaires to customers. Market research can make data that will show you recommendations to improve your business.

6. Forum Participation. Participating and making active comments in forums will help you build credibility as an online marketer. You can also place helpful comments and replies including a link pointing to the affiliate product that you are promoting or selling. This will generate more traffic to your website or affiliate product.

7. Selling Products and Services. Internet marketing can be used to sell and market your company’s products and services. You can do this right at your own website or register at online marketplaces or social network sites. Online stores will allow customers to choose and purchase your product at the convenience of their homes while cutting your costs needed to maintain a retail store.