Content is king when it comes to your website, but it is essential that text is presented in an attractive and interesting way to keep visitors returning.

The standard of portals has risen dramatically in recent years as both novice and expert developers take advantage of new products on the market. In their early days, text dominated websites and a lot of information was packed into pages. As software has become more complex, more and more tools have been added to portals so they are easier to navigate and do not rely too much on words.

Text-heavy websites are necessary for some companies and on specific pages, such as those describing terms and conditions regarding services, but these days internet surfers want a fun, interesting experience. As programmes evolve, it is easier for the layperson to access and use platforms that were once the domain of experts. For example, Adobe Flash is proving ever more accessible to those who may have struggled with the application in the past.

As well as being more user-friendly, there are other reasons that you may like to experiment with it or learn more about the product. Websites are a great way to attract new custom and they help to advertise the services that your company delivers. In the battle to win clients, firms are concentrating on their portals as prime advertising platforms.

Websites are increasingly likely to host multi-media information and it is becoming more unusual to find those that do not utilise Flash technology. Text initially served as the prime way to get information across, but most of the sites you visit now are very likely to use the platform in some way. Files can range from simple banners to interactive movies that make a great impression on your web visitors and keep them returning to the page.

Where the technology is concerned, there is great scope to hone your portal in a simple or complex fashion. For example, you may have a basic site that contains a brief rundown of the services you provide, along with some images and contact information. In this example, you may be happy providing just this content, in addition to some animations to keep it bright and lively.

These kinds of animated portals have the advantage over static kinds as they are eye-catching and really help to promote your products. Moving on from simple Flash files, you may want to launch a more interactive website that takes the pressure off text to advertise your services or explain how systems within your organisation work. Movies written using this technology are great in the education arena, as well as the entertainment sector.

Many well-known portals that attract millions of visitors rely on Flash to show off the latest funny videos, film clips and audio soundtracks. In fact, some firm's choose to base their entire website on Flash technology and add all kinds of games, music and interactive quizzes to the pages. The type of media that is created for your portal is completely in your control and can be branded to match your business.

For instance, if the site is aimed at youngsters and is keen to boost their literacy, it is likely that you would want movies that feature bright colours and humorous characters to keep them interested. On the other hand, the animations may need to appeal to a business to business readership that promotes professionalism and information on complex matters. As with the previous example, you are free to embed the appropriate files and data to your website and make sure it is in keeping with the rest of the content.

This ease of access and versatility are common reasons why businesses throughout the UK and beyond are interested in Flash, with training courses available if you wish to delve further. To view files of this type computer users usually have to download plug-ins of some kind. Another great advantage of Flash is that these are often free and can be saved to PCs in minutes, so internet surfers are able to look around your site quickly.