It's been said over and over again. Content is King! Without interesting content even the most selective "niche"-oriented Web site or blog will be hard-pressed to attract and keep visitors. This fact is often overlooked, and underestimated by new site owners to their dismay and frustration.
A number of articles have been written about embedding some form of user entertainment to help increase the interest factor of newly launched Web sites.
They range from the more complex Web 2.0 technology such as the article posted by Michael Arrington Embed Flash Games in your Blog which focuses on multiplayer Flash games with chat interfacing, to the more simple approach illustrated in an article authored by scotty77: Adding Kick Ass Flash Games to FaceBook, MySpace.
Both these articles point out the need for emerging self-publishers to recognize that they may need to swallow their pride a bit and opt for the addition of some entertainment alongside their content. This will not only attract visitors, but also, more importantly, get them to return to their sites.
So just how easy is it to add some "entertainment" content to a Web site, especially if you are not an advanced programmer and your site is not hosted on a server that you have direct access to?
Well it turns out there are several solutions for the novice that are very cost effective. We are talking zero dollars invested. Most of the solutions of "embedding" entertainment in a Web site involve linking to files up on a hosted server. Many new site authors however do not have their sites hosted on services where they have direct access to disc space where they can FTP (upload and download) these special .swf flash files. The FaceBook / MySpace article points the reader to free file hosting services like FileCrunch.
Article comments
1 - Robet M. Barga
I actually have to strongly disagree with this idea. If i am browsing websites and I come upon one with flash embedded in it that is illogical with the content, I will never come back. Now, if the flash makes sense (say a shooting game on the NRA site), then it works; otherwise, it is a bad idea. Until you build your brand, it is hard to get a game that fits it.
2 - ZZ Bachman
Having a theme oriented approach to any "puzzle" or "entertainment" sidebar would of course be even more effective. For a newbie that might take some work --- like the chat integrated multi-player flash mentioned in the Michael Arrington article. For a new comer to web site development simple is ofter better. Either way the flash, should NEVER run when the browser window loads the site. It should always be based upon visitor CHOICE to play, watch or listen to whatever is embedded as an "extra" on the site just as you say. Good points Robert.