It has been found that video content grabs more leads, attention, and traffic compared to textual content. After all, this type of content is more appealing, interactive, and easy to grasp.
You can also give an edge to your website by creating video content and embedding it in your blogs or posts to achieve better search engine visibility. Whether it is a tutorial, news, or informative content, video format content is easy for anyone to watch and understand. It gives the feeling of humans interacting with humans.
To make this strategy successful, we will help you how to easily embed video in a WordPress site. So without any further delay, let’s dive in.
But before diving into the methods, first check out why embedding video in WordPress even matters.
1. Directly Embed using Video source URL (oEmbed Method)
oEmbed is a protocol that allows embedding any media to the website/webpage directly inserting their source URL.
It is one of the most straightforward methods that doesn’t require any WordPress plugin or technical expertise.
All you have to do is,
Visit video platforms like YouTube
Navigate to your favorite video that you would like to embed on the WordPress site/page.
Copy the URL of the video from the Address bar
Go to your WordPress Dashboard > open the page/post on which you want to embed > Open Visual Editor.
Paste the link wherever you want to display the video.
WordPress will automatically detect the link and embed the video for you.
For example: We have embedded a video link on this post this is how it looked like before publishing:
Directly Embed using Video source URL
And this is how it appears on your screen:
But also consider the pros and cons of this method:
Pros:
Ease of Use: Simple, no technical skills needed.
Compatibility: Works with most CMS and platforms.
Maintenance-Free: Hosting service handles storage and bandwidth.
Automatic Updates: Changes reflect instantly.
SEO Benefits: Boosts visibility through well-optimized platforms.
Responsive Design: Adjusts to different devices automatically.
Cons :
Limited Customization: Restricted appearance and behavior control.
Third-Party Dependence: Video availability tied to the host platform.
Branding Issues: Includes host platform’s branding.
Privacy Concerns: Third-party tracking and data collection.
Ads and Distractions: Potential for ads and unrelated content.
Loading Times: Can slow down page loading.
Compliance Risks: Subject to host platform policies and regulations.
2. Directly embed your Video using the Block editor
Another easy method to embed video in a WordPress site you can follow is using the WordPress video widget. This method doesn’t rely on third-party video streaming platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and is more like a self-video hosting service.
All you have to just,
1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to the page/post on which you want to embed the video and click on the edit button. (Always open in visual editor)
3. Now click on the “add block which is represented as a “+” sign as shown in the picture” and search “Video widget”.
Directly embed your Video using the Block editor
4. You will be provided with three options, you can choose either one of the options, upload a video, insert a video from the media library, or directly insert the video URL.
This method seems very convenient and in reality, it is, but you should also consider its pros and cons as well.
Pros of Uploading Videos Directly to WordPress:
Full Control: No third-party branding or ads.
Consistent Branding: Seamless integration with your site’s design.
No Third-Party Dependence: Video availability relies on your hosting.
Privacy: No third-party tracking or data collection.
Cons of Uploading Videos Directly to WordPress:
Increased Server Load: Higher server load and bandwidth usage.
Storage Limitations: Large files consume hosting storage.
Manual Updates: Requires manual updates for content changes.
Lack of Features: Miss out on features like analytics and easy sharing.
Compatibility Issues: Ensuring smooth playback across devices is harder.
SEO Limitations: Less SEO benefit compared to third-party platforms.
3. Embed Videos to WordPress using a Video Widget or Custom HTML Widget
Note:This particular method is preferably used to show videos at the sidebar or the footer of the website.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Log into your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Appearance > Widgets.
3. Find the Video widget and drag it to your desired location.
Embed Videos to WordPress using a Video Widget
4. Click Add Video.
5. Choose the video file from your media library or upload a new one.
However, if you want more customization and control, you can also use a custom HTML widget within WordPress. Just Follow these steps:
1. In the WordPress admin panel, go to Appearance > Widgets.
2. Find the Custom HTML widget and drag it to the area where you want the video to appear.
3. Now go to your favorite video streaming platform, e.g., YouTube, and navigate to your favorite video that you like to embed. Right-click anywhere on the Video window and select the ” copy embed code” as shown below:
4. Now Paste the embed code into the text area of the widget.
5. Click Save to apply the changes and embed the video on your site.
4. Embed Video in WordPress using the iFrame method
Note:This method is best suitable for those who want more control and customization while embedding videos in WordPress.
iFrames are one the best features with the help of which you can show content from other sites on your website without any hotlinking. Here’s how you can implement this on your WordPress site.
1. On YouTube, click the ‘Share’ button under the video and choose ‘Embed’ or directly right-click anywhere on the video window and select ” Copy Embed Code” just like mentioned in the 3rd method of this post.
Embed Video in WordPress using the iFrame method
2. Now go to the WordPress editor, switch to the ‘Text’ or ‘Code’ view, and paste the iframe code where you want the video.
3. Adjust the iframe’s dimensions to make sure the video fits your site’s design and you are done.
Using the iFrame Method has its pros and cons:
Pros of Using iFrame to Embed Videos:
Customizable: Adjust size and placement easily.
Easy Integration: Simple to add by pasting iframe code.
No Hosting Costs: Saves your server’s storage and bandwidth.
No Ads: Control over appearance without extra ads.
Responsive: Fits well on different devices.
Cons of Using iFrame to Embed Videos:
Third-Party Dependence: Relies on the external platform’s performance.
Limited Customization: Less control over the video player.
Potential Loading Issues: External delays can affect loading.
Privacy Concerns: External platforms may track user data.
SEO Impact: Less SEO benefit compared to self-hosted videos.
5. Embed Video in WordPress using WordPress Plugins
This is the most suitable method for those who like to do more with customization and looking for advanced settings for embedding videos in WordPress.
Here are some of the Best WordPress Vidoe plugins you can utilize:
Easy Video Player
Feeds for YouTube
All-in-one Video Gallery
These plugins let you optimize and customize videos that look great on all devices, improving the user experience on your site.
Pros of Using WordPress Plugins to Embed Videos:
Easy to Use: Simple, quick embedding.
Advanced Features: Offers lazy loading, custom players, and analytics.
Consistency: Uniform video appearance.
Performance: Optimizes video loading and playback.
SEO: Enhances SEO with sitemaps and metadata.
Cons of Using WordPress Plugins to Embed Videos:
Compatibility Issues: Potential conflicts with other plugins or themes.
Maintenance: Requires regular updates.
Performance Impact: Some plugins may slow down your site.
Learning Curve: Time needed to learn and configure settings.
Developer Dependence: Reliant on developers for updates and support.
Why embedding video in WordPress is even important?
Embedding videos in web content can significantly enhance user experience and boost SEO. Here are several reasons why embedding videos matters:
Enhanced User Engagement: It has been observed that videos turned out to be more engaging than textual and image content. They can capture attention instantly and hold it longer, leading to increased time spent on the page.
Improved SEO: Search engines always strive to deliver the best user experience to their users; hence they favor content that includes multimedia. As it provides a richer user experience, Videos can help improve your page’s SEO by increasing retention time and reducing bounce rates. Plus, there are chances that if videos are properly optimized, they can appear in video search results and boost overall visibility.
Better Explanation of Complex Concepts: Videos are an excellent way to explain complex ideas or processes that may be difficult to convey through text alone. This can be particularly useful for tutorials, product demonstrations, and educational content.
Increased Social Shares: Videos are more convenient to share on social media platforms. They can drive more traffic to your website and increase brand exposure.
Enhanced Conversion Rates: Videos help in convincing customers and can significantly improve conversion rates. Product videos, testimonials, and explainer videos can help build trust and persuade visitors to take action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or filling out a contact form.
Mobile Optimization: With the increasing use of mobile devices, videos have become an essential part of the mobile experience. Videos are easier to consume on small screens compared to large blocks of text.
Rich Snippets: Embedding videos can enable rich snippets in search results, making your listings more attractive and clickable. Rich snippets can include video thumbnails, which can draw more attention than standard text listings.
Educational and Informative Content: Videos can effectively deliver educational and informative content, catering to different learning styles. They can break down information into digestible, visually appealing segments.
Some Tips on Optimizing and Enhancing Videos for better user experience
Just embedding videos in WordPress and publishing them directly is not enough. You also need to ensure that the videos you’ve embedded are easy to access, effective, and engaging.
To help you with this, here are some tips to better optimize your videos and enhance the user experience:
Always use the correct Video Formats: MP4 is a popular video format, but not all devices support it. To ensure your video plays everywhere, use other formats like WebM and OGV as well. Some tools can automatically choose the best format for each viewer.
Make Videos Accessible: Also Optimize video for people who are deaf or hearing impairments by adding captions or subtitles. If possible provide transcripts for better understanding and SEO. For physically disabled users, make sure video players can be used with a keyboard for those who cannot use a mouse.
Optimize Thumbnails: An attractive or appealing thumbnail can make people more likely to click on your video. Sometimes, clickbait thumbnails that are creative but not misleading can do wonders. But make sure to create a custom thumbnail that also gives a hint about the video’s content.
Check Video Performance: Always keep an eye on the analytics report to see how your videos are performing. Always monitor views, engagement, and where people stop watching. Gather this information and utilize it to improve your video strategy.
By following these tips, you can make your videos more engaging and effective.
Although there are five different ways to embed videos in WordPress, we recommend that you always embed videos from trusted third-party platforms like YouTube, or preferably use the iFrame method.
Now that you have learned different methods to embed videos in WordPress and some plugins to make it more feature-rich, it is time to implement them and drive more traffic.
If you have any queries or suggestions regarding this post, please let us know in the comment section below.
Rahul Kumar is a web enthusiast, and content strategist specializing in WordPress & web hosting. With years of experience and a commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends, he creates effective online strategies that drive traffic, boosts engagement, and increase conversions. Rahul’s attention to detail and ability to craft compelling content makes him a valuable asset to any brand looking to improve its online presence.
