Get your pages Moving......
Please note this article was first published in 14 Jan 2010. Its content may now be out of date. We recommend taking a look at more recent website building blog posts or check out our comprehensive support pages. If you are looking for information on our 14 day free website builder trial we have a large number of webpages that guide you throug the process.
Get your pages Moving......
As a website builder, you will want to grab your visitor’s attention and stop surfers from clicking on to the next site as quickly as possible. If within the first few seconds of visitors looking at your website, you can catch and hold their attention, you will have far more success in encouraging them further into your website pages. There are a few ways to do this but one proven way is by adding movement to your primary pages with Flash.
Flash Files
What is Flash?
Adobe Flash, formerly known as "Macromedia Flash" is streaming animation for web pages. The information, “data” or movie’s can be viewed as soon as enough data has been received and the remaining data continues to download while you watch. (You’ll see a rotating circle and the word “buffering”). Flash movies start playing straight away, which is far better than file attachments, where you have to wait for the file to download completely before you can watch it. Flash therefore offers an effective way to include powerful animations for website visitors.
A webpage can feature a small section of Flash or sometimes the whole web page is made of Flash.
You can add simple Flash files and images to your pages or you could commission our professional Flash Designer to design a new Flash header for your website. Simply login to your control panel, go to Step 2 (Style) > Website Design > Custom Design and complete the simple form there. One of the options on the form asks whether you would like Flash or not - Select Yes. The designer can create your new website look based on a logo or any existing literature, colour schemes or brand identity and it’s a great way to make your site look more professional. It’s also incredibly great value at just £30 for a header redesign or just £40 to give the background, header, navigation bar and footer a complete facelift.
Adding Flash Files onto your webpages can attract attention to certain sections of information. An animated Logo or slogan, a selection of descriptive images morphing into one another, a full movie with sound…. They all work to encourage visitors to spend extra time on your site, giving you more time to get your message across to them.
You can actually upload flash files and movies straight onto your page. You may have been given a .swf flash file from a supplier, organisation, friend or collegue. You might have downloaded a flash file from the Internet – there are so many fun and free flash files available for download these days. Once you have your file and have decided which page you’d like to put it on – you need to open your Movie File Wizard.
Here’s How…….
First you have to upload your Flash file, through the Movie File Wizard. In the main control panel window, in the column of buttons down the left side, click the Manage Pictures and Files (Upload Files) button. Then click the link for “Video”. If you haven’t already added extra movie space to your website, click the Add more space, It costs just 25p + VAT per MByte per month and video storage is available in blocks of 10MBytes.
Once you have your storage space in place, click to browse for your flash file (.swf) and click upload.
Next go to the page on which you’d like your flash file to appear. Its always best to tab down to a clear line / paragraph. If you want your flash file to sit next to any existing content, insert a single column, single row table, which you can then align right or left to sit neatly within your content.
Click to place your cursor where you want your flash image to sit (inside the table cell if you are using a table) and click the Insert / Edit Flash button on your page editor icon bar. A drop down menu of the flash files you have uploaded will appear in the next window with a preview of the file showing.
If you know the exact size of the flash file, enter this in the relevant boxes now. If the size is left blank, the system will automatically set a minimum size. You can enter widths and heights to amend the size but avoid entering sizes, which are bigger than the files true size. Once you click Add to Website, you will see a Flash file box on the edit view of your page. You can left, right or centre align this box to get the position just right, then clik “Save Page” to see the live flash file on your page. If you need to go back to your flash file to amend the size, simply click back to edit view on your page and right click the Flash File box > Insert Flash file to open the insert window again.
The only downsides to Flash are that some companies or organizations may block Flash Files being received through the Internet due to Virus or security fears. Also, not everyone has the required Flash Player plugin, although it’s becoming more commonplace these days and is increasing all the time as it is very simple, quick and FREE to download.
So get your pages Moving!
Please remember, this article was first published 14/01/2010. The content may be out of date and you cannot post comments any more. Please check out our new blog.
Want to learn more ?
Find out more about us
We have been in business since 2003. Back when the founders of Facebook were still in college, we were writing code and helping our users create great websites.
Affordable business website design
If you need help, why not check out our huge selection of videos, step-by-step guides and knowledge papers.
UKs most trusted
We have helped many thousands of our customers create great looking websites. Take a look at a few examples, created using our website builder.
Latest blog posts
Evolving Your Website Using Background Videos
These days, websites without background videos run the risk of appearing old-fashioned. Even dinosaurish,
There’s nothing wrong with dinosaurs, or with looking like one. Dinosaurs are cool. Unless they’re chasing you of course.
But our new background videos have landed, exploded and changed the game. They have wiped out the old standards for beautiful websites, and have replaced them with a new standard that will leave all other websites looking like fossils.
Luckily, both our existing clients and our new ones have access to this brilliant new feature we’ve introduced, and we’d like to share its benefits with you today.
Bold, Italics, Capitals – When To Call On Your Superheroes
A superhero is only super because he or she stands out amongst the crowd. If we were a planet of flying, teleporting, time-freezing super-strong aliens, then we wouldn’t think there was anything super about us. When it comes to using formatting methods such as bold, italics, capitals or centering, all of these little text-enhancing superheroes will only stand out if they are used sparingly, in the right place, and when absolutely necessary…
Do I Need To Add Testimonials To My Website?
Reviews, testimonials, recommendations – we all seek reassurance in them. We might even skip past the good ones just to see if there are any bad ones.Other people are sources of information for us. They can tell us whether this product or service is actually any good or not. Reading their testimonials builds trust in your business.
Should I Buy Multiple Domain Names For My Website?
If I have multiple domain names, will my website rank better on the search engines? Will I be more likely to draw in extra traffic? Will my website become a supercharged powerhouse bursting with domain names that will become a magnet for new business? The answer might not be quite as positive as you would expect, but hopefully we can answer your questions during this article…
How To Choose The Best Domain Name For Your Website
Choosing a domain name for your new business may not be as simple as you think. Most people just use their company name, but unless your branding is well recognised, this may work against you…
Is It Possible For A Website To Look Too Good?
Is it possible for your business website to look too good? Too polished? Too slick? Too posh?
Perhaps it depends on how slick and posh you already are.
Stop Collecting Email Addresses On Your Website…Unless You Have Permission!
“If a customer fills out a form and adds their email address, what can I do with it?” This is a terrible question, asked by non-GDPR compliant cavemen and cavewoman who still think it’s OK to treat other people’s info as if it’s their own…
How Do I Send An Email Newsletter?
You are building a GDPR-friendly email list, and now you want to start sending out newsletters, the professional way. Where do you start?
Selling Isn’t A Dirty Word. Selling Is Serving!
“Don’t sell your product. Solve their problems.” Mark Cuban’s wise words sum up the art of selling – it is about helping people, fixing problems and improving the lives of others…
Don’t Be A Clown. Get A Professional Email Address For Your Business.
iF we’re honest, not many people will accuse you of clownery for not having a proper business email address. But they might not call you professional either…
A Website To Grow Your Business, In Just Over A Week
Building a professional website to grow your business should be easy and seamless from start to end. We offer to build your business website for you, in four easy steps…
Is Your Website Secure? Upgrade To HTTPS ASAP!
When July 2018 hits, Google Chrome will make sure a strong warning will pop up on any website that has not yet updated from “http” to “https”. The warning will include something along the lines of “Website Not Secure”. Here’s how to avoid it.