WordPress is one of the most effective website publishing platforms. However, only some are conversant with its full features. One such feature is the ability to add a video. In this blog, we’ll show you how to embed video in WordPress in a few easy steps. We’ll cover everything from selecting your video platform to using popular plugins to add additional features. So, whether you’re a seasoned WordPress user or just starting out, this guide will help you master the art of video embedding and make your website truly stand out.
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Benefits of Embedding Your Videos in WordPress
Improved User Engagement
Videos are more visually appealing and engaging than plain text, making visitors more likely to stay on your site and consume your content. Embedding can also increase the chances of visitors sharing your content, leading to more traffic and increased brand awareness.
Increased Time on Site
When visitors watch a video on your website, they tend to spend more time on your site. This increased time on site can signal to search engines that your website is valuable, improving your search engine rankings.
Enhanced Visual Content
Videos can add an extra layer of visual interest to your website. They can also help break up large blocks of text, making your content more digestible and easier to read.
Improved Branding
Creating high-quality, informative videos showcasing your brand’s unique value proposition can increase brand awareness and establish your brand as an industry leader. Doing this can help you attract more customers and increase sales.
Increased Conversions
Studies have shown that visitors who watch videos are likelier to purchase or take other desired actions. By embedding videos in your WordPress site, you can increase the chances of visitors taking action, such as signing up or purchasing.
Mobile Optimization
Videos are a great way to optimize your site for mobile devices. Mobile users are more likely to watch videos than read long blocks of text, making videos an ideal way to engage mobile visitors.
Cost-Effective
While producing videos can be more time-consuming than creating text-based content, once you have a library of videos, you can continue to use them on your site and in your marketing campaigns for years to come. Doing this can help you save time and money while creating engaging content.
Improved Accessibility
Embedding videos on your WordPress site can also make your content more accessible to visitors with different abilities. Videos can include closed captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions, making it easier for visitors with hearing or visual impairments to understand your content.
Easy Sharing
Embedding videos in WordPress makes it easy for visitors to share your content on social media platforms, increasing your reach and engagement. With just a few clicks, visitors can share your videos on their social media profiles, leading to more exposure for your brand.
Better Analytics
With WordPress, you can easily track the performance of your embedded videos using analytics tools such as Google Analytics. This data can help you understand how visitors engage with your videos, how long they watch them, and which videos perform best.
Competitive Advantage
Not all businesses use videos on their websites. Creating high-quality, engaging videos can differentiate your brand and attract more visitors to your site.
Improved Communication
Videos can be an effective way to communicate complex ideas or instructions to your audience. You can provide your visitors with a more in-depth understanding of your product or service, leading to increased trust and loyalty.
Versatile Content
Videos can be used in various ways on your WordPress site, from product demonstrations and tutorials to testimonials and interviews. You can, therefore, create versatile content that appeals to different types of visitors and keeps them engaged with your site.
How to Embed Video in WordPress: The Guide
Step 1: Choose Your Video Platform
Before embedding a video on your website, you must first select a video hosting platform. YouTube and Vimeo are our preferred platforms but Wistia is another popular option.
You can also self-host videos in WordPress but we do not recommend it as this could lead to higher bandwidth utilization and slow loading or unexpected pauses in the video.
Step 2: Upload Your Video and Get the Embed Code
Once you have selected your video platform, you need to get the video’s embed code. This is usually located in the video’s sharing options.
You can share your YouTube videos by locating the video on your YouTube channel, clicking the Share button below the video player and copying the short URL or embed code from the popup.
Step 3: Add the Embed Code in WordPress
In the WordPress editor, switch to the “Text” mode, which allows you to edit the HTML code of the post directly. Paste the code snippet you copied from the video-sharing website where you want the video to appear.
How to Embed Video in WordPress
- Click the Text tab in the content editor
- Paste in video embed code
- Click the Visual tab in the content editor to see the video
- Save or Publish your page
Your video might not automatically adjust to fit on mobile devices. To ensure your video is responsive on all devices, use the code provided below.
<div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0; position:relative">
<iframe style="position:absolute; top:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%;" title="Video player" src="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
</div>How to Embed Video in WordPress using Blocks
If you are using the Guttenberg editor select the YouTube or Vimeo block and simply embed the video code in the block. The process is the same for either video provider.
- Click the Add Block Plus button
- Select the YouTube or Vimeo block depending on which service your video is being hosted on
- Copy the embed link from your video service
- Paste it in the block and click Embed
- The video block should be responsive by default
Alternatively, consider hiring a reputable company to handle this for you. Neur is a premium WordPress development company. They provide excellent support and service.
Let’s Discuss Your Website Goals
Some Key Mistakes to Avoid when Embedding WordPress Video
Using the Wrong Code
It’s essential to ensure you’re copying the correct code snippet from the video-sharing website. Using the wrong code can result in a broken video player or other technical issues.
Not Adjusting the Video Size
Adjusting the video size to fit the page layout and design is crucial. By default, some video players may appear too large or too small, making the post look unprofessional.
Not Checking the Compatibility
It’s essential to ensure that WordPress supports the video file format and that the video can get played on all devices. Otherwise, visitors may be unable to view the video, or it may not play correctly.
Not Optimizing for Page Speed
Videos can slow down page loading times, resulting in a poor user experience. It’s, therefore, crucial to optimize the video for page speed. Optimization can get done by compressing the video file size or using a video hosting service offering video compression and delivery optimization.
Not Using Caption or Description
This mistake can make it difficult for visitors to understand the content or context of the video. It’s essential to provide a brief description of the video and add captions to make it accessible to all visitors, including those who are hearing impaired.
And to capture the audience’s attention, it’s recommended to create videos that can be watched without sound since approximately 80% of videos are viewed with the sound turned off.
Not Addressing Security Issues
Most video-sharing websites offer security features to prevent unauthorized access to their site. However, it’s essential to ensure that your WordPress post or page contains a link to the video URL instead of embedding the player directly into your post or page.
In summary
By taking advantage of this powerful tool, businesses can stand out in today’s crowded digital landscape and achieve their marketing goals. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create and embed video WordPress websites!
