Good Idea for a Survey!
I am not anti-Flash as such. I have seen some brilliant implementations using flash but I will add that they are not things that are relevant here. Things like a complicated map showing progressive moments of an historical event and technical information on a machine are a couple of examples. What these things have in common is that they would be difficult or impossible to do in HTML or annimated gifs. In other words, Flash is a tool that ought to be pulled out when simpler options will not do the job. Probably the most pointless implementation of Flash is the (generally skippable) introduction segment. This, though, is also the most common use.
It is clear that for an advertisement site for an SP there is basic information to provide. Contact methods, rates, services offered, photos and up-to-date scheduling are all desireable. I would note that integrating interesting descriptive text that serves as a teaser may be something to consider -- it has worked with me at least. Photos that compliment the text are a good idea if possible. In my own experience, video can be an effective supplement to push an undecided individual into being a client. All in all, I would think all the content considered for inclusion should be filtered by the question: Will including this-or-that encourage somebody to be a client? The other important thing to be mindful of is that at any spot on any page (including pictures) there should be basic contact information that makes it possible for that undecided individual to move to being a client. Pop-up window photos, in particular, seem to always forget that the point of the photos is not to just arouse but to arouse a decision to contact. If the viewer ends up having to click again after being aroused, it may be too late.
Sound is only acceptable if it is optional and is not there by default. Cheesy background music is a definite no in my opinion. To me it seems like opening a book and getting sound. It just doesn't feel right. Something I haven't come across that might be effective (I don't work in this business so I'm just speaking as a client) is some sort of SP invitation. Some Red Zone ads used to have a very primitive Real Player version of this concept that for me seemed too poor quality to be worth the effort. This may be something best done in Flash as a component of an HTML page -- like a talking ad that comes alive only if the viewer chooses. If done well, a verbal component may be yet another hook in the overall strategy of getting a viewer to become a client.
I am not anti-Flash as such. I have seen some brilliant implementations using flash but I will add that they are not things that are relevant here. Things like a complicated map showing progressive moments of an historical event and technical information on a machine are a couple of examples. What these things have in common is that they would be difficult or impossible to do in HTML or annimated gifs. In other words, Flash is a tool that ought to be pulled out when simpler options will not do the job. Probably the most pointless implementation of Flash is the (generally skippable) introduction segment. This, though, is also the most common use.
It is clear that for an advertisement site for an SP there is basic information to provide. Contact methods, rates, services offered, photos and up-to-date scheduling are all desireable. I would note that integrating interesting descriptive text that serves as a teaser may be something to consider -- it has worked with me at least. Photos that compliment the text are a good idea if possible. In my own experience, video can be an effective supplement to push an undecided individual into being a client. All in all, I would think all the content considered for inclusion should be filtered by the question: Will including this-or-that encourage somebody to be a client? The other important thing to be mindful of is that at any spot on any page (including pictures) there should be basic contact information that makes it possible for that undecided individual to move to being a client. Pop-up window photos, in particular, seem to always forget that the point of the photos is not to just arouse but to arouse a decision to contact. If the viewer ends up having to click again after being aroused, it may be too late.
Sound is only acceptable if it is optional and is not there by default. Cheesy background music is a definite no in my opinion. To me it seems like opening a book and getting sound. It just doesn't feel right. Something I haven't come across that might be effective (I don't work in this business so I'm just speaking as a client) is some sort of SP invitation. Some Red Zone ads used to have a very primitive Real Player version of this concept that for me seemed too poor quality to be worth the effort. This may be something best done in Flash as a component of an HTML page -- like a talking ad that comes alive only if the viewer chooses. If done well, a verbal component may be yet another hook in the overall strategy of getting a viewer to become a client.
Check-out this link and tell me if Flash is not cool after all: