Search engine optimisation for Flash

Flash websites can have a real visual impact on customers and can sometimes increase interest and sales. However, it can be difficult to get Flash websites indexed by search engines. Follow our simple tips on how to get your Flash website picked up by the search engines.

• Although Flash often provides users with a great online experience and can increase sales, try to only use Flash where it is really needed.
• Make sure that you have a keyword descriptive URL and page title for all pages of the website, especially those that feature Flash banners.
• Embed Flash into your content-rich html, in place of images and banners. Optimising this type of website would then be no different to optimising any other html website with images as you will still be able to include rich text on that same page. Integrating Flash this way will still have a visual impact on your customers.
• Flash development tools allow webmasters to easily add metadata to movies, so there is no reason why these should be left blank.
• Don’t forget to also focus on off-the-page factors. Continue to persuade other websites to link to your website, include links to your site in your blog posts and news articles and write those all important industry press releases promoting your website.
• Flash files can be set-up with accessibility features which are in place to enhance the online experience of disabled website visitors. These features often allow you to specify a name and description for elements of a Flash movie. This content may improve your natural listings if it is picked up by search engines.