It is quite bizarre how many restaurant websites use flash technology. It was quite clear at Restaurant08 during my panel session on the internet with chef Raymond Capaldi, Mark Armstrong from Google, Julia Topliss from Web Prophets that none of us like it (and Google has trouble finding sites with it).
And we’re not the only ones. Social media commentator Laurel Papworth hates it too and finds this quote:
“Flash-based web sites are quite possibly one of the most useful pieces of network technology around. Like heroin or microlights, they ensure that those who think it’s a good idea aren’t around to annoy us for too long.”
Nicely put.
I gather these flash sites cost aver $7,000 a year to run and market, saying nothing of the initial construction costs. But few come up at the top of Google searches and that’s the most important factor in driving traffic to your site. If you web designer advised you to go flash: shoot them
Other tips from the day:
- Personally, I hate music on sites
- Keep it really simple. Over to Laurel again and the usability guy Dr Jakob Nielsen who says:
“Instead of dawdling on websites many users want simply to reach a site quickly, complete a task and leave. Most ignore efforts to make them linger and are suspicious of promotions designed to hold their attention.”
- Join up to and use social sites such as Flickr, Youtube and Facebook.
- Link to like minded food and wine sites and get your suppliers to link to you
- Next month the iphone will change everything making mobile search for eating venues a reality
Sorry I have to go and eat a well-hung pheasant now.
16 Comments