Is your website ready for 2021? If you use Flash, it’s time for a makeover, because as of December 31, 2020, the application will be officially dead. And that may be a good thing given its many problems:

• It is proprietary
• It is unstable
• It is unsecured (because it’s outdated)
• Its content is difficult to index, which can hurt your search rankings
• Its large file sizes decrease processing speed
• It reduces battery life by as much as 33%
• It isn’t supported by devices that use iOS
• It is not compatible with touchscreen devices

In the beginning, Flash was the standard format for video content. However, YouTube’s early users were frustrated by having to install the Flash plugin and update the software manually. The developers of YouTube listened to users’ complaints and decided to create videos in HTML5 format. Both Flash and HTML5 have had features for playing video and audio on the Web, but HTML5 is the better alternative by far; it’s faster, more secure, and capable of storing data. Apple has long recognized those advantages, and the company’s operating system has been compatible with HTML5 for a number of years.

Please be aware that if your website uses Flash content, visitors using iOS devices won’t be able to see it. In order to display videos or audio on the iPhone or iPad, you should re-create your Flash animations in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.

If your website still uses Flash, or otherwise needs a refresh, now is the time to do it. Technology may seem scary, but used correctly, it drives sales. Because more people are online than ever before, you need a website that won’t cost you traffic—or conversions.

Badie Designs specializes in creating digital marketing and design solutions. We’ve helped clients in many sectors launch—or relaunch—their websites, and we’d be happy to help you succeed. Contact us today for a consultation.