HTML vs Flash: That is The Question…

According to the NetCraft site, in 2012 there were more than 580 million websites online, of which more than 175 million were termed active. That said, there are many design languages available to help you create a website, but today we’re pinning two of the most popular languages head-to-head: HTML and Flash.

I-What is HTML?

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) stands for Hypertext Markup Language. Simply put, HTML is an IT language which first appeared in 1991 during the Web’s early years. The goal of the language was to organize and manage content. In its most basic form, HTML enables you to create a page on the Internet. HTML code is what you write in order to post text, links, images etc., on your pages.

HTML 5 is the most recent version of the language, and it allows for the integration of videos and animation directly on your website, which wasn’t possible with previous versions.

a.Pros and Cons

There are several key advantages to using HTML:

• HTML is compatible with all screen formats. This means your site is accessible and legible from multiple platforms such as smartphones, tablets, PC’s, etc…
• HTML helps search engine optimization (SEO). As we pointed out in a previous article, with tags and pre-selected key words, you can optimize your website for search engines like Google.
• HTML helps your website load quickly so you don’t have to install an extra plugin to your navigator.

The old version of HTML was pretty limited in terms of animation possibilities (especially videos). But HTML version 5 has solved this problem. Therefore, the drawbacks of using HTML are few.

b. Examples of HTML websites:

Below are some examples of HTML websites:

Store of SFR

Store of Archiduchesse

II- What is Flash?

FLASH is a coded web language that enables the addition of animated content and video to a website. Flash files have the file extension .swf and need to be read by a Flash plugin in the navigator.

a. Pros and Cons

Advantages:

• Flash makes adding animated content to websites a lot easier
• Animated content makes a site a lot more interesting and interactive. The user experience as they navigate the site is enhanced, and the design looks much more attractive.

Disadvantages:

• Flash doesn’t have an impact on search engine rankings.
• It’s difficult to adapt a Flash site to all the different web devices on the market like tablets, smartphones, etc…
• In order to read Flash code, the Internet user needs to have a Flash Player installed on his computer.

b. Examples of a FLASH site:

Store of Manoush

Store of Jitrois

Conclusion : So, what are you thinking — HTML or Flash?

These days, thanks to the latest version of HTML, it’s possible to include video on your pages. So more and more website designers are opting for HTML over Flash. And because of the increasing number of people using smartphones and tablets to access the Internet, it’s probably a good idea to have a website that’s legible from these devices too.Therefore, we recommend designing your site using HTML.