How important do you think web marketing is to your business? I am trying to decide if I want to take my flash site and convert it into html, so it can be optimized...I'm hesitant becase it will lose some of its aesthetic value. For example, I'll have to take my beginning flash movie and make it small and insert it into my interface. Also, my gallery will not have the flow that it does now...

Is it worth it to lose some of the frills to achieve more functionality? Or should I stick with the pleasing aesthetic which people seem to be absolutely moved by?

What do you think? I suppose more traffic doesn't necessarily mean more business, but it would definitely mean more exposure...

Interested in your comments.

Ciao! mj

MJ,

I am so glad that you are thinking about this . . . most people don't even give this a second thought. The ONLY reason why I haven't gone Flash yet is because of SEO (search engine optimization), however I'm considering making the transition really soon, because I feel that less of my clients are finding me through Google than before PLUS search engines are dramatically changing the way they catalog websites.

There is always the option of having TWO websites . . . as soon as a visitor reaches your site, they will have the choice of a Flash-based site or an HTML-based site. This will allow you to have the beautiful Flash site, but still maintain the functionality of an HTML site, even if nobody visits it.

As a matter of fact, that's probably what I will end up doing! Just my two cents . . .

Brian

I think it depends on where your clientele is coming from. If your referrals are coming mainly through word of mouth than aesthetics is where it's at. You are showcasing your images in the best possible light. If you keep hearing from prospects that they found you on the net, then you'd be best to optimize the site.

For me, web marketing is very important. I track all my calls, and most say they found me on the web.

It's almost spooky how this site works. It seems like when I'm debating on something it seems to pop up in a post here.
My site is a HTML site.
I think its very very user friendly. However it lacks the pizzazz that for instance your site does have Mary Jane.
Your site is very touching.
One of the key things I've been learning in sales is Presentation is everything.
Most of my business comes from the Internet and then word of mouth. My web site is less then attractive to say the least.
I think Brian has the right idea with creating two separate sites.
Mary Jane your work is absolutely gorgeous! I'm sure your web site decision will only reflect the same elegant style you already express in your art.
Best wishes to you!
Keep us updated!
I'm intrigued to see what you come up with.
Linda

Stick with Flash for sure!

...more later

Mary Jane... Hope all this works out for you. We just made huge changes to our website . One of the interesting things that my wife brought to my attention when we were making decisions about the site was the fact that brides in the corporate world spend a good deal of time on their computer surfing the net, and not all of the servers would necessarily have Flash built in. We are also in an area where not everyone is "up to speed" on high speed connections yet, and why loose a client because they don't have a high-speed connection, had to download flash to their computer to view the site, or both.... and got annoyed and gave up.

We ended up offering both high and low-speed options on the home page as Brian mentioned, and our web designer was able to keep a similiar layout for the HTML site as the Flash site.

Nathan

Thanks so much everyone for your input..you have helped tremendously.

Might do the two site thing...?? Hmm.....

Brian, let me know how it works out for you.

ciao! ciao! mj

Expressive Photography: I really like how you have the two options. Genious! But, when I clicked into each version, it was as if your main stage area was too far up...I could only see half of your interface. There were no scroll bars either. From what I could see it looked great...I don't know if it was my monitor or what? Just letting you know...

MJ,
I've always heard that Macs had problems... In all seriousness, we haven't heard one complaint or seen any problem on any computer we used with the website. Our site designer specifically designed the site so that those who still insist on keeping their screen resolution settings at 800x600 would still see the full screen without scrolling. I'm not sure what problem you are having.... Anybody else have this problem when you log onto our site?

website



Nathan

Your site worked great for me. I'm on a mac using Safari.

Also, I loved how similar (nearly exactly the same) your html and flash versions were.

Hey. I just tried it again and it worked. Sorry for alarming you. Weird!!!

Testy Macs...

~mj