Smallbox Software Dynamic Web Site Design

Shawn Bouchard, December 11, 2008 at 9:16 AM

As bandwidth gets cheaper and broadband internet access becomes ubiquitous, media-rich websites are springing up like flowers in spring. There's no doubt that dynamic content adds interest to any website. Using it to your best advantage is what will set your site apart.

You can use dynamically updating images and copy to add some flavour to a site design. Flash is also a great tool to add a dynamic experience to a site. Flash can do amazing things but that doesn't mean you should use it everywhere on your site, or build your entire site with it. One disadvantage of using Flash is that once it's in place, its content tends to remain static.

There are ways to inject dynamic content into Flash (in fact Smallbox CMS can do this, dynamically updating text, images, and even video in the Flash container) but it's not recommended that an entire site be built in Flash. Also, don't forget that Flash is currently not visible on an iPhone–and that's a problem as more and more people use this device to surf online.

If you are considering incorporating video into your site design, you should optimize it with Flash Video (FLV). Any CMS worth its salt should be able to store and display video the same way copy or images are stored. Flash Video is bandwidth friendly and is an effective means to deliver video content since 99% of all web browsers (except the iPhone) can automatically play FLV files. That means your audience won't have to download an annoying plug-in before they can watch your message.

Dynamic content makes your site more interesting, but more importantly it also adds value for your site visitors. Their experience should be enhanced by its inclusion. Review your site statistics and pay attention to the visitor bounce rate. If a high proportion of your site's visitors leave almost as soon as they load the page, you have to ask yourself why? Perhaps your dynamic content is overwhelming, takes too long to load, or simply doesn't add value to their experience.

You want them to keep coming back, so add dynamic elements to the page and make sure they add value to your visitors experience.

Posted In:Website Design