Using Frames and IFrames

When used correctly web site frames can add some cool functionality to your site. Frames have been around for along time. They are easy to use and they are probably one of the most misused web technology out there. A frame divides the screen into separate content containers. One frame can link to another using a "target" inside the link. I discuss this topic with caution: use these sparingly.

The ability to link from one frame to another causes a common misuse. Frames allow for easy navigation. Web masters only have to modify one navigation file without knowing how to program and they can pull up any other page in the other frame while maintaining the navigation frame. However, search engines may get lost when spidering them. Many web pages may not get indexed within the site. Search engines may also show a content page as a search result without displaying the navigation frame so users are stranded on that page and never see the other valuable pages. Users are also confused when they visit a web site and click a link and other web sites are shown in the content area because the look and feel changes. Every content page seems different and the consistent look and feel is lost.

Frames are best used with some type of sub-navigation. Imagine a help section on a web site. You can have the table of contents in one frame and the content in the other. Another is when you need your look and feel on some external web tool. For example, say you don't know how to use IDX or have an MLS tool that works great but it looks different than your site. You can link to a separate page made of a set of frames for just the MLS (or the help section). Search engines usually recognize the major frame screen in this case and although they may index the other pages they likely won't offer them up as search results because the sub pages are not main navigation.

Another really cool technology that is great for pulling in tools into a page while maintaining your look and feel uses IFrames. IFrames are "inline frames". This means that the frame is treated like an image or table or other element. You can plug it in pretty much anywhere and size its height, width, target, scroll bars, color, border, etc. I have seen sites pull in calculators and maps and other tools.

The html is: <iframe frameborder="0" name="whatever" height="300" width="100%" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="yourpage.html"></iframe>

Be careful to use this technology sparingly so your users and search engines don't get confused and lost. Frames are best for pages with regular visitors like a company intranet. They are not very good for first time visitors. Be prudent in their use and they will work great for you.