When it was first released in 1996, Adobe Flash (known then as Macromedia Flash) was used to create online games, advertisements and banners. Flash has matured a great deal in the last fifteen years and is today used in the development of web pages, photo albums, online menus, ads and more. If you’re considering purchasing a Flash template for your website there are a few questions you should ask yourself first.
What’s your budget?
As you do when you begin any project, you need to consider the funds you have at-hand. You’ll get nowhere fast by starting a website that you simply cannot afford. Templates come in all price ranges, including free, so know what your bottom line is.
How easy is it to edit?
Remember when control panels were first introduced to web hosting companies? The addition of control panels meant that web hosting customers could then manage every aspect of their domain instead of turning to their web hosting company every two seconds for help. The same is true of some Flash templates.
There are templates out there that can be edited in a simple text editor like Microsoft Notepad. There are also Flash templates on the market that require special software and skill sets.
How will you make your template unique?
The problem with templates is that they require a certain amount of work to make them unique so that they stand apart from other domain owners who may have purchased the same template that you just did. Adding a logo, changing the default slogan and switching up the template colors are just a few examples of customization that you may be interested in applying. When looking at templates, you’ll want to pay careful attention to color schemes, logos, music and those things you may be changing down the road.
What features do you need in your Flash template?
Just like HTML templates, Flash templates come with a variety of features, including:
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Imbedded music
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Animation
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CMS compatibility
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Photo galleries
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Contact forms
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Interactivity
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SEO friendliness
What features are most important to you? It will be easiest to customize your template if you choose one that contains most of the things you’re looking for.
Do you need a service or a template?
In the last year or two a handful of Flash template creation websites have been founded. With such services, you’re able to create your own Flash designs, modify your website at any time and even publish it to the web without having to use any downloaded software. Sometimes you can even do this free of charge or for the price of a web hosting plan. Do you have the skills to put together a Flash website and make it pop or would you prefer to download a template and have it customized later?
Buying your own Flash template is not a difficult process, as long as you know your specific needs, discern your budget, and understand what needs to be done to create a look that’s all your own.