Are Flash Websites Dead?

I agree. It is all about adapting to the current environment and making it available to the users in different versions showing the same content. Technologies are always changing so you have to adapt and accept it no matter what.

ITDR is doing it the right way and I congratulate you on all your success.

Thanks to ITDR for a well written article! I've recently blogged about my concerns with the lack of flash on iPhones and iPads. With Steve Job's recent Press release on why Apple does not support Flash, the topic has become even more volatile. Kudos to ITDR for coming up with a method that supports the majority of users! As a photographer, I appreciate the kind of support that can allow my customers to view my website from any type of connection. I am seriously contemplating on changing my current site provider with a solution from ITDR. Thanks! -jp

Exactly why I have an ITDR template! You guys are fantastic :)

Adobe put out a great response to this "announcement" by Mr. Jobs
http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/13/adobe-targets-apple-in-ad-campaign-launched-today-publishes-ope/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+weblogsinc/engadget+(Engadget)

i think it's worth taking a look.

Yes, I believe that flash's days are numbered. There is just not enough bandwith to support flash for mobile devices. And the move is to mobile devices.

I think Flash is dying, although it's not dead yet. I wouldn't think about investing time, money, or energy now into a site that was not iPad compatible... and the iPad is looking very attractive as an option for a portable portfolio.

Dead, no.. on the way.. probably not. Who knows where the debate will go.

Great article. I am totally ready to ditch the flash. Your product looks excellent.

Great points and the correct approach considering the number of changing platforms that may be used to view our sites/content.

I don't think Flash is dead - but I've considered not using it. Many of my clients don't have high speed internet (in rural areas), so it slows things down.

Thanks for the info! Glad I went with ITDR to start with!

Honestly, I think that definitely clears up any questions I have had and clearly defines how I need to approach looking for a new website. Great article.

The sample is wonderful! Flash certainly isn't necessary because the branding is brilliant. Thanks for sharing this. I will be sure to keep mobile device compatibility in mind when i can get a site of my own designed! :)

Tenho visto quase todos os blogs, layouts feitos pelo ITDR, gosto muito dos layouts e principalmente da facilidade, navegabilidade, e uso. Acredito que sempre vão sendo lançadas novidades, novas plataformas de desenvolvimento. Então, acredito que com isso, toda a comunidade "programadora" vão se adaptando as novas plataformas. Honestamente, considero os layouts da ITDR os melhores, voltados para blogs de fotografia.
muito sucesso pra vcs.

I am so glad I switched from Blu to ITDR. Thank you for being awesome.
Now I just need to get my site ready to launch.

Thank you for a fantastic article. It will be an interesting year.

Great blog post! LOVE the way ITDR handles both mobile devices and flash-enabled browsers. Also love the new templates... keep them coming!

interesting. great article. thanks for the information. I would love to win 60% off.

Thank you for addressing this issue and explaining how your templates work & look on mobile devices. Can't wait to see what other awesome templates you guys develop!

What a great article! There are too many people out there that think the iPhone is the end all mobile device, but that's just not true. Having consistent branding throughout your business is such an important aspect, and you guys hit the nail right on the head. I could really use some consistent branding for my new photo business and would love 60% off of your templates! Plus I would shamelessly plug your name in everything I do if I had a ITDR website ;)

Agree 100%. Also, I've noticed that so many of the flashed based site look alike. There really isn't a strong brand, and it seems like flash is what is being relied on to "impress". I totally agree about building a strong brand and progressive site! Well put ITDR, well put!!!

This is a really amazing blog post! I have been in the interactive website industry for about 5 years now, in mainly eCommerce, SEO, and design sales. I have worked for some of the largest companies providing small companies quick and easy website solutions.

One thing I have known for awhile is flash dynamic way to catch your customers eye and make a big slash because it is beautiful. Yet, on the down side flash has not had the best reputation if you want to get to the top of the search engines. Now with it not beginning supported for the iPad/iPhone that will be one other thing that will be a hurdle for Flash based sites. You are right who wants a band-aid for that or two admin panels to update your site? You should not be a slave to your website, nor should it be something that sucks up all your free time.

With that being said, I think that your team at ITDR has it right! You guys know about what is going to be best for your customers and obviously keep up with what is current and/or what will be happening next in the internet industry. With your style of "progressive enhancement" it should be a no brainier for potential customers that have done their homework to choose to build there site with ITDR. I have been researching different companies to build my new photography site with what I have discovered that your templates are not only amazing looking at but has everything that someone needs to cover all the bases in SEO and have the site mobile ready as well. Kudos to you guys, GOOD JOB, and WAY TO GO! It looks like you will stomp the competition in your industry.....keep up the good work!

Came across this while having a look at Flaunt and your site templates. It's definitely something to think about. I'm in the market for a new site and would like one that's compatible, yet ultra simple on the Flash side. I think your Vanilla may suit my needs.

Bluto: Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
Otter: Germans?
Boon: Forget it, he's rolling.
Bluto: And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough...
[thinks hard]
Bluto: the tough get goin'! Who's with me? Let's go!

All that to say... I don't think it's dead or dying....but maybe I'm wrong? I guess that's why I'm thankful I'm lucky enough to have a progressively enhanced site.

Very cool and insightful. ITDR keeps it hip and ahead of the trend.

Flash use to be King....and now...what was hot....is NOT...
RIP...and google doesn't like flash..my website just needs a tombstone on it. Update or die..

Illuminating article. I've spent quite a bit of time the past few weeks doing research into a mobile option, nothing has laid out the concept so well. Most info is so biased towards iphone/ipad and ignoring other mobile devices. Your article discusses ideas that I hadn't seen elsewhere, thank you!

WOW! This is really an interesting article!!! I have never thought about this to happen and so soon. I work in Costa Rica and I do think that there are some people here in this country (specially people in rural areas with low speed connections) that can not access a Flash template that easily! At that time, I was thinking the other way around, that Flash will never die and one day will be on every computer/phone in the world!! hehe... Now, I can see that I'm totally wrong. I am using Blu templates/server, but I'm considering seriously to switch to ITDR (I'll have to save up a lot of money now)!!! Also, I want to give thanks and praise ITDR for your AWESOME work and for you to be a step ahead of us, being so helpful and working for every photographer/client needs and even more!!! Thanks for being so thoughtful!!! Have a GREAT DAY!!! God bless!!! :))

i'd like to show off a progressive website on an ipad, moblile phone, laptop and desktop...
i'd like to be in a client meeting and whip out an ipad to show my current work - that would be totally cool...

ITDR has been my website solution for years and I don't foresee that changing. I know you guys are on it, are forward thinking and that's exactly why I stay.

thank you for your simply beautiful design and for setting a high standard in the industry. bravo

Hey, thanks for the info. And, thanks for the great template options. I am glad I found you (and thisblog post) before purchasing a new site design. Yay for ITDR!

Wondered about this and heard the other day that someone said Flash is dead. I don't think it is but there will be something else after it, and that's the way technology always worked and always will work. Gotta roll with the punches or get left behind.

I don't think flash is dead. It still has its advantages over html5 and the other options and its disadvantages if your name is Steve "the control freak" Jobs.

From how I understand the situation I think the real question might be is flash overused? When a website is one giant unsearchable flash video I think flash has been over applied. Thanks for working to create sites that are better than that ITDR.

great article! once i decide on which site i want, im switching from bludomain..it sucks that i only bought my template from them 2 months ago but thats what happens when you dont have a progressive company like itdr!

Great article! Not dead if you are plugged in via ITDR!

That helps explain a lot for me. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

I think it all comes down to your potential customers and their changing needs. Some photo editors prefer full-screen flash and are willing to wait a second or two for it to load, others might just hate it and want html only. The thing to remember is to try to build on a solid CMS/Database foundation so that no matter what the future holds your information/data can adapt to new ways of presenting things. Everything should be searchable and have deep links as well of course. So basically nothing new, just strive to keep everything flexible and ready for change and you should be ok.

This is a start of a new era where "Flash" is not as cool. Great post ITDR and I think you guys are heading into the right direction.

this makes so much sense. i don't want just iphone/ipad clients...or just clients with a desktop. I don't want my clients to have to think about their choice of software/hardware. i want them to see my work and call me. I'll be calling you guys soon.

Finally a clear and concise article that explains many questions people have about mobile media devices, especially photographers. It’s a little unfortunate with so many flash sites out there that Steve Jobs and Adobe can’t find a happy medium. Nonetheless people are accessing the web more and more on their phones, and that can translate into sales if you have a good site people can see and use. It’s a must have in my world. Thanks ITDR - GRP

Thanks to everyone for leaving such great comments! The winner of the 60% off discount code goes to.... (drum roll)... Mike Fan. We had such a great response that we have decided to give a 40% discount code away as well. There are limited spots available. First come, first serve. Discount Code: "BLOG40".

I'm going to jump on this right now.

Interesting post! Thanks for the info!

Great piece and you're so right! Far more important that you site is built on something that can continue to grow and improve with the times instead of trying to make sure it works on a particular device. It should just work on everything.

i'm very excited to hear you are so on top of current events and are catering to all your customers' needs! :)

I don't think it's so much a question of in or out as all inclusive, and to say the least the developing technology keeps us as photographers on our toes. With the boom of new photographers in the industry, you either keep up or become obsolete.

None of us can predict the future. At best, we can act in a manner that allows us to best leverage our knowledge from the past. HTML has always been the best platform for SEO and web-surfing. Flash is "flashier". If HTML could do what flash does...it would seem evident that this would present a superior option for web developers. For these advancements, we must all make changes and steady adaptations. I for 1 am happy for what the future offers...

I think that sometimes the whole flash wedding website experience can be a bit distracting, at http://yeni.shutterchance.com/ my wedding photography blog I decided to keep it simple and let the photographs do the talk instead

I think that someone who tries to change the market for their best interest like Steve Jobs and Apple, without realizing how resilient programmers can be is foolish. I love Apple, don't get me wrong...I own 3, but for them to say this technology is inferior because tgeir iphone/ipad can't work with Adobe's Flash integration is to me pointing their weakness. Bottom line, I think this is all about money or someone's ego or both!

Thank you so much for this article!