3 Pros And Cons Of Flash-based Websites

Flash-based sites have been a craze in the past few years, but as search engines dont read Flash, we can only predict less flash sites around the Internet.  

However, Flash based sites have been disputed to be bloated and unnecessary. Where exactly do we draw the line?

Here's a simple breakdown.

The good:

1. Interactivity

Flash's Action script opens up a vast field of possibilities. Programmers and designers have used Flash to create interactive features ranging from very lively feedback forms to attractive Flash-based games. This whole new level of interactivity will always leave visitors coming back for more.

2. A standardized site

With Flash, you do not have to worry about cross-browser compatibility. No more woes over how a certain css code displays differently in Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Cometbird, crazy browser, flock Browser and Opera. 

When you position your site elements in Flash, they will always appear as they are as long as the user has Flash Player installed.

3. Better expression through animation

In Flash, one can make use of its animating features to convey a message in a much more efficient and effective way. 

Flash is a lightweight option for animation because it is vector based (and hence smaller file sizes) as opposed to real "movie files" that are raster based and hence much larger in size.

The bad and the ugly:

1. The Flash player

People have to download the Flash player in advance before they can view Flash movies, so by using Flash your visitor range will decrease considerably because not everyone will be willing to download the Flash player just to view your site. 

You'll also have to put in additional work in redirecting the user to the Flash download page if he or she doesn't have the player installed.

2. Site optimization

If your content was presented in Flash, most search engines wouldn't be able to index your content. Hence, you will not be able to rank well in search engines and there will be less traffic heading to your site.

3. Loading time

Users have to wait longer than usual to load Flash content compared to regular text and images, and some visitors might just lose their patience and click the Back button. The longer your Flash takes to load, the more you risk losing visitors. 

The best way to go is to use Flash only when you absolutely need the interactivity and motion that comes with it. Otherwise, use a mixture of Flash and HTML or use pure text if your site is purely to present simple textual and graphical information.

Have a nice day.

Simple Tips And Strategy On Starting A Barbing Saloon Business

Barbing salons are now everywhere you have men and even ladies available, meaning the Business is practically suited for every and almost any environment. 

 

Barbing salons in the cities or rural areas in Nigeria are numerous but not necessarily indicative of the fact that the business is booming because many are merely doing it to scrape out a living.

But for those intending on creating a sustainable business that will not only create wealth but employment as well then knowing how to set up a profitable business is the way to go.

In many towns and cities of Nigeria, like Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Ilorin, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Akure and Port Harcourt people set up shop to do business, barbing hair for mostly the male folk.

In Lagos for instance, there are probably more barbing salons than the number of churches (you know how we Nigerians love church even more than the early Christians) which means the business is fairly easy to set up and remain in the business otherwise entry into the business should be hard and remaining profitable would also not be an issue.

In campuses of Universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, Pre degree centres are densely populated areas and sometimes in high brow areas and commercial areas, barbing salons seem to thrive.

Suitable locations therefore are; popular streets, densely populated areas with a lot of male folks and higher institutions of learning.

Opportunity

Considering that it may not cost more than a few thousands to set up a baring salon, the business offers many opportunities to make a lot of money.

 For instance, selling clippers, shaving powder, shaving stick, aftershave, barbing equipments and accessories as well as the normal barbing services means that this business isn’t limited in terms of how much money can be made.

But more importantly is the opportunity to make a lot of money from being exceptionally professional and organized, word spreads fast and with barbing excellent referrals from customers can do a lot of good in terms of winning patronage and increasing sales.

Challenges

The problem of electricity supply and having fuel for generating sets to power the barbing salon is the obvious challenge.

 In most parts of Nigeria, electricity supply is usually less than 10 hours a day making cost of doing business to be unnecessarily high.
 

When the business becomes more stable and profitable one would expect the business to expand, unfortunately capital to fund growth is not readily available but with micro finance banks this is gradually changing for the better.

Business Strategy
The key thing is to stay focused on what works and what doesn’t. Imagine a situation where the strategy should be to do something useful that no other person is doing at least in your own locality that will at least offer the intending investor an edge over the competition.

For instance, if other barbing salons don’t offer the customer much in terms of quality service, more fashionable environment and professional looking staff or workers.

Estimated Business Start up costs summary

2-4 Rotating Chairs (although ordinary chairs may do for a start): N18,000

1-2 Long waiting chair: N12,000

Table: N7,000

2 Mirrors: N12,000

3 Original Clippers: N15,000

4 Cover Clothes: N5,000

Barbing ‘Cosmetics’ (Spirit, powder, aftershave etc): N5,000

Generator: N20,000

Sterilizer: N10,000

Others: N30,000 (Standing fan, etc)

Depending on your location, the start up cost my not be necessarily as high as stated, it can of course be lower.

Stay safe. Best wishes.