In May 2008 I wrote “We’ve Got a Web Hostage Crisis!” to explain how businesses can get locked out of their own websites. Recently I was reminded of these lockdowns by two other situations that reared their head in the past and continue to haunt web clients even today.
Scenario Three: News Flash! It’s the Flash – To many web clients Flash is perceived as “high end” design. Yes, a website can look more “design-y” and it’s fun to have a site that has movement in it. What many website owner’s don’t know and aren’t told by their designer is that Flash is not HTML. A standard HTML page may incorporate a Flash file. A Flash file starts out as an .FLA file that the designer works with and can make changes and updates to. The Flash file is converted to a .SWF file when it is put on the web. No changes or updates can be made to an .SWF file.
Clients who want their Flash presentation updated must have access to the native .FLA file! If you move from one designer to another your website can not be updated or changed without the .FLA file.
Scenario Four: DIY Disaster! – I see websites all the time that clients create themselves as their first generation site. Some use proprietary design and editing systems on their hosting accounts or buy software that promises “do-it-yourself” web design.
Yesterday I saw another one of these and it was truly a disaster, what the automotive trade would call a total loss or scrap! The code was invalid. The home page had over 350 errors which caused it to look different in the top browsers. In two browsers the logo was missing. In another browser the navigation buttons were invisible (Hey, How do I get to the next page?). Like a damaged old car it’s too costly to repair.
When using a DIY (also called WYSIWYG) web design tool, web owners may find that they are server specific which means if they change hosting companies they will either lose the appearance of the their site because they will have to leave behind their design template, or the proprietary editing code used will not be understood or usable in any other system. Ay-carumba!
These scenarios for disasters happen too frequently. To prevent them happening to you follow these 2 tips:
1. Agree with your web designer before initiating a project that you will have access to the native Flash file or that it can be supplied to any future designer.
2. If using a DIY web design tool for a first generation site, proceed with the knowledge that your site may not survive in that form in to the next generation. If you have big plans for your business and your site, work with a professional web designer who can provide HTML web design.
