Using Flash in Email Newsletters is a bad idea by Intown Web Design

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Using Flash in Email Newsletters

I recently had a question from a cliet about using flash in emails. I do not see it done that often and I have never had the need to embed flash in emails. So we did a little research to find what others thought about the use of Shockwave Flash in email.

Putting flash in emails can be done, but the question is how are people viewing it. Are they viewing in the email client or are they clicking a link and viewing it in a web browser. If they are viewing it in the email client (Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, AOL, Lotus Notes, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, hotmail) all email clients handle displaying flash differently and many block it by default requiring a user to take action to get the item to display. If a security alert pops up you can be assured that your email will be deleted in a flash. No pun intended. :-)

Another consideration is the mobile market, Treo's and iPhones. More and more people have PDA phones and smart phones

If the user clicking a link and opening a browser, where flash was designed to run, and viewing the flash movie, then that is a different story. You have a better chance for success but this requires the user to open, read, and click on a link for your flash movie to be played.

Here is an article I found when researching about flash email it is from Jan 2006.
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/archives/2006/01/the_truth_about_1.html

They recommend to avoid Flash.

Summary
It is my opinion that clear html based newsletters using images and text are the best form of communication. Think of the newsletters Google, Apple or other High tech companies send out. They have the resources to use flash but they do not. Apple is quicktime. They send clean and simple newsletters with a text only alternative.

One idea to consider, if flash mail was that effective then the porn spammers would have perfected the art. Think of all of the embarrassed employees that receive porn flash movies.

Hopefully you now have a little more insite into flash in emails. If you feel I have overlooked something or have a question, please comment in the section below.

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Newsletter - Email template idea
written by Tafseer Khan, June 16, 2008

I am agreed with you, but some time you need little minor animation either with the logo or something artistic. Also the animation should be looks elegant within the newsletter and professional. I don’t think so using of the flash intro or presentation or music or movie etc....

Thanks,

Tafseer

Flash in Newsletters
written by Else, June 23, 2008

I agree that using Flash in Newsletters in not necessary. Elegant and professional look can be created using only text and graphic, and if someone has problems with it, it is a criteria of it's qualification.