Some important questions:

The Flash plug-in comes already installed with most browsers. Those who don't have the plug-in or the most recent version of the plug-in can easily obtain it for free. Over 414 million people have the Flash plug-in! Those who don't have it are automatically given the opportunity to install it when first accessing a Flash site.

Fun: silly animations, cartoons w/ both sound and image.  Here's a new one at nobacco.org.

Information: Delia's old intro packs a lot of information about the site into one smoothly loading front page.

Concepts: delivery of more complicated concepts such as this intro for a multi-faceted web site.

Tutorials/instructions: great for how-to presentations, useful on the web but actually more effective off the web due to load time.

Ads: better than static ads because these will move and talk just like tv advertising. Flash is the best way to move your tv-based ad themes to the web.

Make it unforgettable: Flash can make your site stand out among the rest. Check out this one for Athens BMW!

The little animation below is a simple example that could also be created using gif animation; however, using flash decreases the size of the file and shortens load time.

This little logo uses flash instead of a javascript rollover. Hover over it:

The advantage is that no image is loading behind what you see. No matter when your mouse pointer hovers over, the effect is there -ready for viewing. This can be very important for the more prominent navigation menu buttons in a site.

Another advantage of flash over javascript is simply that any browser with a updated flash plug-in will play exactly right. Javascript, however, is dependent on the version of Javascript and the browser.

You can use Flash no matter what web host is used!

Flash is browser dependent, not server dependent.

1. So many uses of Flash, see list
2. Effectively present any idea-through sight, sound and interactivity
3. Can be forced to 100% of screen size. It can always fit on anyone's screen!
4. Make your business stand out
5. Increase stickiness - folks are more likely to return when flash is used appropriately and effectively
6. Can actually act as a screening tool - Athens BMW's most desirable clients are more likely to have newer computers, faster connections such as cable modem or DSL, and younger (more techno-accustomed).

1. Some people won't have the plug-in, won't get the plug-in, can't use the plug-in due to their computer setup.
2. Used inappropriately, can be a turn off for viewers, ie: using long loading flash as an intro to a e-commerce site. See this example of a cute but intensively heavy flash page.
3. Design cost can be higher than regular web pages.

Some general rules of thumb:

Use sparingly or none at all on an ecommerce site. Shoppers want to be able to browse at their speed, not yours. The faster a site, the better.

The financially better off your customer base, the more likely it is that Flash will be appropriate.

Where are your principal viewers located? Even if the customers are wealthy, many countries don't yet have decent internet connectability.

Remember your site/business purpose.

Make sure your viewers can choose to go to a non-flash alternative. Don't force them!