iframe pros and cons?

[jnwd8405]

My company is thinking about using <iframe> tags within our hosted service application to make it easy for clients to brand around the page. The <iframe> refers to the page that's hosted on our servers, and have a URL that's our domain, with the subdomain for the client, e.g. clientname.ourcompanySolution.com

What are your guys thoughts on <iframe>'s. I have always steered around using this, but within the context of this situation it makes sense:
1) expedite implementation time because no integration work into client site
2) client has more customization options--layout in particular
3) not concerned with SEO necessarily, because the solution we offer is within a client's site, and page rank is not a priority

Any opinions are appreciated. I HATED the frames/framesets for other reasons, but this is different...

Thanks,
jnwd8405

[WebshoppeSolutions]

iframe is a tool, just like any other tool, and if used appropriately, it shouldn't be looked upon as a problem.

The trouble that people run into online, and frequently, is the improper use of, or application of, things like the iframe.

[HTMLBasicTutor]

From an accessibility point of view:

..frames can introduce accessibility problems. Although with iframes there are fewer accessibility issues, like frames, they require additional work and management of multiple pages. Frames and iframes should not typically be used for presentation or display, but for content management (iframes work great for advertising and display of content external to your own Web site). If you want a single Web presentation to display similarly to frames, this can usually be accomplished with Cascading Style Sheets and one web page, rather than dealing with the complexities and inaccessibility of frames...

Reference: Creating Accessible Frames - WebAIM

Note: part of this article is included in the Section 508 information PDF Creating Accessible Frames

[jnwd8405]

htmlbasictutor, thanks for the input. We're going to be using the iframes for exactly the purpose you're talking about as well (content management). We already use CSS to achieve the same purpose, but it's a little bit easier on the deployment time with iframes.

[jnwd8405]

WebshoppeSolutions,
I agree that any tool, when used appropriately shouldn't be looked on as problem--I'm looking for a little guidance on the appropriate use of it. Frames from way back in the day were used/abused mainly for the reason that you're hinting at and I don't want to approach iframes in the same manner.

Thanks

[hendrafang]

i think iframe is not good for seo, many modern website dont use iframe anymore, they use div instead

[stonemethew]

Pros

The most obvious feature of frames is the ability to keep one part of the page static whilst changing another part. For this reason frames are often used for navigation menus.

Frames can also help reduce bandwidth and server load, because the same content does not need to be loaded every time a new page is visited.
Cons

The rest of this page is devoted to the disadvantages of frames. As you can see, it is my opinion that frames have more cons than pros.

[pontings]

IFRAME stands for Inline FRAME. These are also known as "floating" frames. It's kinda like a smaller version of regular frames. There is an individual window on the page instead of the entire current window being sectioned.

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