Graphics & Animations Are they needed on a web site?
If they are a key element in conveying a message to the client then they should be used. But think long and hard before you say yes to their inclusion. Using graphics and animation greatly increase the amount of data that has to be downloaded onto the PC and then processed by the system. This slows down the PC, taking longer to download and display the web page. If the user does not see real value in these graphics or animation he may move on to another web site. Consider putting the graphics or animation on a secondary page so the system does not waste time loading them unless the viewer wants to see them. When creating the graphic or animation try to keep the file size as small as possible. Set the resolution as low as possible without compromising the quality of the graphic or animation. Creating the files as external attachments allows the user to download them onto his machine once and view them as often as he or she likes without wasting time downloading them each time the web page is viewed. Avoid graphics or animation that may require user to download special software.
Brent Roberts