There are two arguments that seem to take center stage when it comes to flash and websites.

It is pretty uncontested that a website built with flash presents a beautiful presentation, almost guaranteeing the end-user a rich experience. On the other hand, a website that is built with flash reduces the visibility of the site within search engines.

As in most everything, there are trade-offs. If the website is going to be advertised heavily or keywords purchased, it may not be necessary to rely on search engines to find your website. In this context, a website built entirely in flash is surely acceptable.

On the other hand, if marketing budgets place great restraints on outside advertising, it is critical that your website can be found and indexed by the search engines. A website built entirely in flash is not the route that should be taken.

Is there a middle ground? Yes. Combining flash with html or xhtml can provide the best of both worlds. It can provide a rich experience for the end-user as well as have the content needed by the search engines to index your website.

Search engines send out robots (sometimes called spiders) and they actually read the content of your website. They also follow the links within your pages and index each page. Although these robots read the hidden code such as title and keywords, they now put more enphasis on the actual content.

When flash is combined with straight code, it is important to remember the following things when drafting your website.

Your links can be included in your flash presentation but make sure all of your links are also in html. This ensures that the robots can follow your links and get to your other pages in order to index them.

Content. Content. Content. The robots cannot read your flash content so you must provide the information you are presenting in order for them to index and rank your pages.
Your html should be specific to the topic, service, or product that you offer.

Combining flash with html provide a balance that will enable you to do a “wow” website but also provides you the base for effective SEO. It is the middle ground.

Daye Salander
SalamanderAlley.com
E-mail Daye

It is a saying that has been around a long time and there is a reason for that — less IS more — even when it comes to your logo and your company image. If you take a look at the companies that you believe are successful, you will notice that their logo is simple and straight forward.

What does this say about what people remember? They remember concise, clean design.

When you begin to define your company through your logo, consider what you want your potential clients to remember. Will they remember just an overall impression or will they recognize the logo next time they see it? Consider that as you move forward to define your company and its role within your target market.

Daye Salander
Salamander Alley

Finally it was time to work on the final intro for Home Cooking Star.
Take a look and let me know what you think!
Don’t forget to turn on the sound.

Home Cooking Star Intro

THE BRANDING IRON – Part I

Before the Logo, Before the Brand

Originally branding was used to identify livestock and each brand was specific to a particular ranch. Locally, brands were readily identifiable to the owner. Today there is a much larger challenge in creating a brand for your company.

With the age of the Internet, the marketplace has exploded worldwide, with millions of companies and individuals attempting to create a brand that will catch the attention of others. Going global has never provided such challenge and such reward.

As much as the goal is ever in sight and there is an anxiousness to “get the horse out of the gate”, initial steps need to be taken to provide the vehicle needed to go worldwide. That is the business plan.

Why is a business plan important? For some, who are not seeking financing, it may seem unnecessary or even a waste of time. The actual process of writing the business plan is the key.

During the process of writing the business plan, the new company is realized on paper. Processes, materials, vendors, partners, employees, competition, its marketing edge — these are all planned out in the business plan. It permits focus on areas of the new company that are often neglected and can produce failure.

The business plan is similar to starting with a wide angle lens and then reducing the width and breadth of the shot until you have the specifics. By going through the process of writing the plan and as each area is focused in on, changes can be made in order to side-step potential problems.

It identifies who your competitors; it identifies marketing vehicles; it identifies the target market; it identifies the potential problems. The business plan, if done properly and in-depth can save a lot of grief in the end.

To begin the business plan, a good first step is to visit the Small Business Administration (SBA). They have step-by-step instructions on how to write a business plan. (http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html)

Another good stop is My Own Business. (http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/)

There are several other websites that deal with business plans and how to write them. Realize the new company on paper and see the end result prior to making one sales call.

Daye Salander

A lesson learned. In order for Flash to be imported directly into Premiere, no movie clips can be used. One other consideration — all graphics must be converted to symbols. Once those two things are accomplished it is exported as an .avi or .mov and can easily be imported into Premiere so that it can be blended with video.

Flash…a never-ending process of learning.

Daye Salander

It’s about design and the impact it has on your business.  We graphically interpret your core message and this is vitally important as you position yourself to expand your marketshare.

Whether it is a new business or a mission of rebranding, Salamander Alley provides the core services that are needed.

• Logo Design
• Business Card & Stationary Design
• Brochure & Newsletter Design
• Web Development, Including Flash Animation
• SEO on all new or upgraded websites
• Web Copywriting
• Product Photography

We have also partnered with several other companies that provide complimentary services for the start-up business.  We look forward to serving you.

Daye Salander