jQuery is a JavaScript library that, as their tag line suggests, allows web programmers to “Write Less, Do More.”

In other words, jQuery is a collection of pre-written JavaScript code (aka, a library), bundled in ways that make exploiting its many possibilities easier for designers and programmers.

So why is this good?

JavaScript has been around for a while and it’s always been useful in creating dynamic effects for websites. However, simply making an element move could become a very arduous process because JavaScript’s language could get overly complex for many simple effects or events.

Then there was Flash. Flash offered a new way to add dynamic, moving content to websites, and it’s Photoshop-esque interface was more familiar to designers. For a little while, it seemed that JavaScript was on the decline.

But, along came jQuery, and suddenly, effects and events using JavaScript were made easier to access and easier to employ.

It came at the right time, too. Mobile devices, like the iPhone and iPad, don’t support Flash, which means JavaScript became a much more universally compatible option.

Today, jQuery is all over the place. The relative ease at which it can be put to use means that it is also a more affordable weapon in the web developer’s arsenal. Essentially, it means that the client can get a little more bang for their buck.

Hip Web Design uses jQuery in many of its projects, including this very site. You will see things like overlays and tooltips, which have been bundled into even more convenient functions thanks to libraries like Flowplayer’s jQuery Tools.

Here is a list of some jQuery demos and plugins (pre-coded events/effects):

jQuery UI:

• Draggable
• Droppable
• Resizeable
• Selectable
• Sortable

jQuery Tools:

• Tabs
• Tooltips
• Overlays
• Scrollable

Demos in Action:

• 20+ Advanced Uses
• 37 Plugins & Demos
• Even more demos

jQuery is just one of the many cutting-edge methods Hip Web Design uses in the design and development of our client’s websites. Get your quote today!

Yes, technically speaking, you can do some pretty neat stuff with Flash, but there are three major drawbacks: they’re difficult to manage, they can potentially destroy your search engine optimization, and they can be incompatible on some mobile devices.

Let’s start with management. Flash just isn’t as portable and flexible as other methods of coding. From a programming perspective, integrating a full-flash website with a user-friendly content management system can be challenging and arduous (aka expensive). Major changes to your design, depending on its complexity, could cost you a pretty penny, not to mention the inconvenience. Simply put, it just isn’t as practical to build a site in Flash, especially if the client wants to manage it on their own.

Then there’s the search engine problem. This is probably the most dangerous drawback to a full-flash site. Unlike  HTML or other methods of coding, Flash doesn’t render text or coding in a way that is easily accessible by search engines. Because of this, search engines can’t pull information from your site necessary to rank it. You might as well not have a website if you’re hoping to get traffic from search engines.

The final drawback is compatibility. In order to view Flash in your browser, you must have Flash installed. It is pretty standard these days, but there’s still the off chance your visitor doesn’t have it, or is running a very old version. More importantly, some mobile devices don’t even support flash. This could have a negative impact on your business if visitors find issue with your site.

So, pretty much what I’m saying is don’t get too excited about Flash. That’s really all that it is. Something flashy to be used in moderation. There are better, more efficient ways to create a dynamic site, like using jQuery, which will keep your site easy to maintain and search engine optimized. There are many examples of jQuery on this site, which include scrolling elements, tooltips, overlays, and galleries.

In the end, if you mention to your designer that you want a Flash website and (s)he raises no concern, you may want to reconsider whether they have your best interests in mind.