I’ve gone on record saying, “I don’t know of a single, solitary more effective web-authoring solution for the non-web-professional.” Just browse to…
http://www.cloversites.com/f/friendsofbrigada
and be sure to notice the upgrades they’ll do in April — to “Greenhouse 2.0.” Interestingly, once these new capabilities come online, some web-professionals might start using Clover as well, just because it’ll be so much easier than anything else… yet it’ll look like they did the site professionally, in Flash.
I checked Clover out once before, and there’s no doubt it looks easy to use. However, there’s some major problems with using Flash-only to build a website, as Clover does:
1) Flash is not nearly as good for getting your page ranked well in search engines.
2) Flash does not work on iPhones. Anyone with an iPhone will NOT be able to see your website at all.
3) Many web-savvy people have Firefox plugins to disable Flash since so many sites deliver ads with it, causing the same problem as #2.
I could go on. I’m a student and just getting into freelance web design. I’m not trying to sell my services or knock Clover, but my opinion is that using an all-Flash website screams unprofessional. I would go with WordPress or another web-standards compliant CMS if you’re in the market.
Hi Justin. You make some good points. However…
1) The folks at Clover have taken a slightly different approach with their site. They seem to invest heavily in giving search engines the data they need to parse meaning from the page — so search engine optimization is strong. For example, open Google and search for the phrase “Multiply the Momentum”. I’m guessing it’ll come in about 5th or 6th in page rankings, in spite of the fact that that phrase is possibly quite popular on the web. (Google “sees” it on nearly a million pages.) That site (MTM2010) is a Clover site… and one that I haven’t even advertised much yet. That’s pure Search Engine Optimization as far as I can tell.
2) Try MTM2010 on your iPhone. Please report back here.
3) I can’t imagine having to disable flash in my browser. There are so many pages that use it now.
I still believe Clover is a viable option, especially for folks who don’t want to get into the technical side of installing, updating, and servicing a CMS-type page. I think Clover will definitely appeal to folks who want something…
a) Attractive
b) quick
c) easy and
d) fast
But that’s just my opinion.
Also note their upgrades in April. Stands to be an even radically better site thereafter.
http://www.cloversites.com/greenhouse-updates
Works for me!
Doug
Hi I am wanting to offer free web design assistance to churches and organisations, using either handbuilt html pages through Dreamweaver or ready to go sites based on WordPress. All I ask in return is that I am able to include a text link to my site from any sites I provide free services to. Please feel free to make use of my time and experience without cost, its a mutually beneficial arrangement. I am not familiar with Clover, but yes Flash based sites do have limitations, especially compared to pro built html/php sites.
Thanks for your attention, please pass on my offer to anyone you know who needs help with web site work. The site for my service is..
http://www.christian-web-design.com/
Dave Wilson
Sounds great, Dave. The one downside of a pro-site like you describe is that some users will be a bit slower to have to re-contact you to serve as a “go-between” every time the site needs updated or refreshed. Using Clover, they can do it themselves quite simply. Otherwise — you just listed yourself in the links! :-)