Explore Studios

Web browsing can become a truly interactive, multimedia experience with the right tools. However, just because you can do something doesn’t necessarily mean that you should. One of the quickest ways to turn off a potential visitor to your site is to force them to download some sort of plugin or additional software in order to view it. Not only do most people simply not want to spend the time, but also many inexperienced web users get intimidated when asked to install things, fearing viruses and other malware. Always keep this in mind when working on a new website design.

If you’re thinking about adopting an exciting new technology, you should do it with care. The best bet is to simply wait until the new software application has hit the mainstream and become accepted as par for the course. Things like Java applets and Flash animations require plugins, but many people have already downloaded them for use on other popular sites. Or, in some cases, they’ve become so popular that they’re just built into many web browsers.

There’s also some value to being one of the early adopters of a technology, but you have to weigh this against the risks. On the one hand, you may develop a loyal user base of other early-adopters, but you also may drive off a lot of potential visitors. Perhaps the best choice is simply to offer alternatives: if the user can’t or won’t download something extra to check out you site, provide him a way to see what you have to offer without the extras.