[Pro] html or graphic text

Freeway
1

I’m new to building websites. Can you tell me when it’s better to use an html box vs graphic box for text and why?
Thanks for the help.

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2

If you want your web site to be indexed by search engines such as Google then it’s always better to use html text. The reason is because search engines such as Google can only look at and reference text elements. For purely decorative purposes Graphic text certainly has more possibilities but is not searchable because it is a graphic, not text.

Having said that, there are now font substitution tricks available that make it possible for you to use some of the many fonts out there that wouldn’t normally be web fonts. Actions such as Caxton or WebFonts will help you take advantage of that.

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3

One word: Google. HTML text can be searched and indexed by the various search engines out there, and graphic text cannot. (Strictly speaking, the Alt attribute of any image will be indexed, but this carries much lower semantic weight than an equal amount of HTML text.)

Also, graphic text only looks good at screen resolution, while HTML prints perfectly at any size or printer quality level.

The benefits to graphic text include unlimited font choices, excruciating control over kerning and other font nerdery, and precise cross-browser control over your presentation. But please, get over your print design instincts and learn to let your design flex and change with the browser. Not everyone (sob) has a Mac and a really first-rate browser.

Walter

On Oct 27, 2011, at 11:56 AM, Josh wrote:

I’m new to building websites. Can you tell me when it’s better to use an html box vs graphic box for text and why?
Thanks for the help.

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4

Thanks for the info.

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