Splash screens, also called introductory pages (Full Version)

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JohnLearner -> Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 10:03:33)

This comes from http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/ltde/ORFI/wds/Modules/effective_nav.htm :-

"Splash screens, also called introductory pages, are used to present your site before the user gets to the content sections. These pages are usually pretty clean and generally have a graphical feel. Some sites use this navigation scheme to highlight one or two special sections up front. A splash screen is not necessarily a navigation scheme rather, it is an element of navigation used to set the overall tone for a site. Splash screens are a very good way to alert your audience to any specific requirements for using the site. For example, you may require the use of a specific plug-in, i.e., Real One Player.

Before using a splash screen technique, consider your audience. What are their needs? If people are coming to get specific information, adding a splash screen may be seen as an unwanted obstacle. If your site is for entertainment, this technique might be very useful."

What views do members have of these splash screens, particularly in view of the fact that there should be as many links as possible into your site from the index page?

For examples of where I use splash screens, see http://www.handscombes.com/ & http://www.songland.com/ - I think the latter is fine, but I'd appreciate views on Handscombes.com...

All views welcome!

Thanks,

John.



jaybee -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 11:50:48)

Your main problem with a splash screen is it has little or no content. The Search engines don't like it. You are also correct in the assumption that links matter.

Your Handscombes splash is a waste of time IMHO.



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 12:11:08)

Hi again, jaybee - very diplomatic of you! [;)] LOL

OK, let's see what the others say...

John.



d a v e -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 12:40:19)

both are pointless. i think there can be a place for splash screens but neither one of your sites benefits



BobbyDouglas -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 12:40:27)

John,

Very seldom will I find a site with a good intro page (I can't even remember any at the top of my head). Those that do have a good intro page, are very useful. But most of the time it would be better if I was able to go directly to the site.

Imagine if Outfront had a splash page for their forums, it would get very annoying, and most likely hurt their SE rankings.

The songland.com site's intro is useful, but I am not sure if it should stay or go. It has a purpose, but it also is a bit distracting.

Just my opinion, I am sure others out there love them, but I prefer to not have them.

You have to think about this, what will you gain by having an intro page? What will you lose?

Figure that out, and I think you can answer your own question.[;)]



Mike54 -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 12:43:40)

quote:

What views do members have of these splash screens

Don't like 'em (especially Flash), IMHO it just slows me down from getting to the content I was looking for.

quote:

Your Handscombes splash is a waste of time IMHO

I have to agree with jaybee, who's going to read past "Click on our logo below to enter"? If you put it at the bottom (or much lower) I'm going to leave because I don't have any navigation immediately available.


$.02



dpf -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 14:15:44)

quote:

Your Handscombes splash is a waste of time IMHO
I diplomatically agree!



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 17:09:28)

OK, folks, and thanks. I get the message!

The Handscombes splash is going, though the SongLand one stays, 'cos it does have links to several page in the site and, in reply to David, it's not actually pointless since I do use it to make announcements from time to time (whereas the Handscombes splash never changes).

Good comments, and helpful to me from you all. Thanks a buncha love!

John.



dpf -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 17:11:53)

quote:

'cos it does have links to several page in the site
but so would a home page with a navigation structure. and what you really have done is create 2 homepages..frankly, i always find them annoying - it just creates an unnecessary extra step - think of people with dial up where each page takes an eternity to load - they wont welcome the xtra page - put your announcements on your home page. anywho - its your call



Taz -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 17:31:24)

Or, if you are hellbent on having a Splash page/Intro page, especially Flash orientated or just for Gucci'ness, create a Splash Intro page and let those who like seeing them click the link from the homepage and they can view it.

Then you can knock yaself out with a Flash intro and all that for those who wanna be impressed with your skills and prowess, those who dislike them do not have to suffer them. (:



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 17:34:18)

You've got a good point there, Dan: The 56k people.

We've had ADSL for so long here in Belgium that I've got out of the habit of site building with them in mind. Not that, anyway, I'd slam huge images all over the place on any site, but you do have a valid point.

I had to use dialup when I was away from home recently, and it's frustrating after years of ADSL.

I've just tested my SongLand index page at www.websiteoptimization.com - the report was fairly good, but the load time for 56k leaves a little to be desired. I'll look into it...

John.



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/20/2005 17:41:01)

Taz,

I hate Flash intro pages as much as you clearly do. They drive me crackers, and I wouldn't waste a minute building one. If you've got a headset on, you can get your ears blown in! Thank goodness they nearly all say Skip Intro! Gucci'ness doesn't wash with me.

But there's a world of difference between them and a simple splash screen.

Anyway, "hellbent" is not the word - I'm seeking opinions from professional people I respect for their knowledge & helpfulness.



kevin3442 -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 3:23:22)

Late to the game (been traveling) but I have to throw a respectful "me too" in there.  I'm not a fan of splash pages for any site.  I find that they are usually a waste of my time.  If my time is to be wasted, I'd like the decision to be completely mine [image]http://www.frontpagewebmaster.com/image/s4.gif[/image]

FWIW,

Kevin



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 7:24:10)

Better late than never, Kev! [image]http://www.frontpagewebmaster.com/image/s4.gif[/image]

I think that "waste of my time" is pushing the concept of just one click a little far, but I get your point.

John.



BRobere -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 11:42:22)

I don’t care for splash screens – flash or otherwise.  If you find you must use them, try to have the content/choices clean and easy to follow without scrolling.  
 



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 12:01:59)

The general opinion seems to be not to use them, but that's good advice if you do, Bruce.



tjmedeiros -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 12:04:23)

I agree with the discussion regarding splash screens and their usefulness or level of irritation.  Here is the one I created for my site.  Any feedback would be appreciated.

http://www.vantaggiodesign.com

Tom Medeiros
Vantaggio Design
707-542-3616



dpf -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 12:07:40)

its actually your home page isnt it?  you link to it as such.  it hurts your SE ranking by not having any text/intro on it - why not od that and use it as a homepage?  its nice actually



tjmedeiros -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 12:12:02)

I imagine it does hurt my SE ranting, but I get most of my business through word of mouth, and then they visit my page...so I use it more as an example of my work and ability. 

However, you make a good point and I have thought of redesigning so I can incorporate what I have with an increase in the textual content to be used by SE's.

Tom Medeiros
Vantaggio Design
707542-3616



kevin3442 -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 13:21:52)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JohnLearner
...I think that "waste of my time" is pushing the concept of just one click a little far, but I get your point.


Hi John,

It's not so much the click as it is the time that leads up to the click and deciding what to click.  If it's clear cut, and the choices take me to some content, then it's not so bad.  In which case, however, why not just let me make that choice from the home page?  But we're talking about two different things here.  Perhaps we should differentiate between pure splash and functional splash.  It seems to me that there's a range from pure splash page to a functional splash page that could otherwise be a suitable home page.  The height of annoyance, at least for me, is the pure splash page, which serves no function.  I especially despise the flash splash, where the "skip intro" control doesn't even appear until well into the flash.  I know that's not the case with you though.  Just ruminating.

Cheers,

Kevin



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 13:27:36)

Tom, thanks - you've given me an idea: I think I'll use the format of http://www.handscombes.com/index2.htm  to replace http://www.handscombes.com/index.html, and make that my Home Page since it will contain all the links to the rest of the Website.

John.



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/28/2005 13:38:54)

You ruminate well, Kevin! ;)

I don't like Flash pages as introductory pages anyway, and I can't/won't visit Flash sites. They're a pain in the neck.

Besides my Webmastering for Handscombes, I also have a very strong music interest online as a songwriter, notably at http://www.songland.com/ among others. I often have to visit 'stars' sites, but they're nearly all in Flash. I like to copy text into documents for my own reference, and Flash prevents that, so I usually use their fans' self-created sites for information.

I appreciate that Flash sites can be very beautifully done, but this used to be called the information highway or something. I want information  - I can watch TV for moving pictures & and mindboggling squeaks & farty noises! Hee-hee.

John.



mitch -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/29/2005 4:42:11)

Agreed: Flash intros are generally a waste.
Clearly this is of much more importance when it is a commercial site.

I have always avoided it untill I did a site for a Judo club.
http://www.ilstars.us/

I found it appeals to the parents and the kids (the 'cool' factor).
No one needs to go to the site real often (small local club).
And the flash is the team logo.

So with little traffic I traded some style for pragmatism.

Now if I could get the teachers to turn in their content sheets.....



kevin3442 -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/29/2005 20:30:22)

Hi Mitch,

Not so bad as far as flash splash goes.  At least yours automatically jumps to the home page when it's done playing.  Many don't.  I'm sure that the parents and students like it; without doubt a good enough reason to have it.

Cheers,

Kevin



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (4/30/2005 8:31:05)

Yes I agree, Kevin  - it's very effective. I'd call that an 'efficient' use of Flash, mitch. It's fine.



Anklebuster -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (5/1/2005 12:28:48)

The "coolness" factor is best left to software for games.
I think the hardest part about being a web designer is that only other designers will appreciate the elegance of the design. Joe Browser will appreciate the speed and content and lack of ugly pages.




JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (10/9/2006 10:24:49)

I've come back to add an update as I see from visits to http://www.handscombes.com/ that people are still reading this Topic and looking into it.

In fact, I finally kept my 'Intro. Page', but I've simplified it so that it very easily & clearly links to both our main sites and, with due respect for the SEs ;) I've added links on the 'Intro. Page' to all our main pages on the site.

I think that solves quite a lot of issues.

John.




jaybee -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (10/9/2006 10:31:20)

[:D] Better. Still a fan of toothpaste I see. [:D]

Good Lord! I just looked at the date of this thread.. Was it really 18 months ago! Sheesh.



JohnLearner -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (10/9/2006 11:00:28)

Now now, jaybee, no need to be hurtful & cruel! [;)][;)][;)]

In fact, the Colgate colours were already on the site, and have been there since about 1850 (!!!). My balls just reflect those colours! [:D]

John.



Donkey -> RE: Splash screens, also called introductory pages (10/9/2006 11:21:32)

quote:

My balls just reflect those colours! :)
I expect you've been drinking too much green tea. [:D] Sorry I couldn't resist



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