Videos: To Embed or To Host on Your Website
So, you’ve got this awesome video content that you want to share with the world, and you’re setting up your WordPress website. Cool! But hold on a sec before you hit that “Upload” button. Have you considered embedding your videos from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook or Loom instead of hosting them directly on your site? If not, buckle up. I am about to lay down some reasons why embedding might just be the better way to go.
Bandwidth and Server Space
First off, let’s talk about the big one: bandwidth and server space. Videos can be pretty hefty files, especially if you’re dealing with high-definition content. When you upload a video directly to your WordPress site, you’re basically asking your server to handle all the heavy lifting. This can slow down your site’s loading times and eat up your server’s resources faster than you can say “video killed the website speed.”
But when you embed a video from an external source like YouTube or Vimeo, you’re offloading all that bandwidth and storage responsibility to their servers. These platforms are built to handle streaming video to millions of viewers without breaking a sweat. So instead of worrying about your site grinding to a halt under the weight of your video content, you can sit back and relax knowing that YouTube’s got your back.
Compatibility
Next up, compatibility. Not everyone who visits your site will be using the same device or browser. Some folks might be browsing on their trusty desktop computer, while others are glued to their smartphones or tablets. And let’s not forget about those who still swear by Internet Explorer (bless their hearts). By embedding videos from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, you’re tapping into their expertise in making sure your content looks great and plays smoothly across a wide range of devices and browsers. No need to worry about whether your video will work on Aunt Mildred’s ancient laptop.
User Friendly
Now, let’s talk about ease of use. Uploading a video directly to your WordPress site might seem like the simplest option, but it comes with its fair share of headaches. You’ll need to deal with file formats, compression settings, and all sorts of technical mumbo jumbo just to get your video to play nicely with your site. On the other hand, embedding a video from YouTube or Vimeo is as easy as copy-pasting a snippet of code. Seriously, it’s that simple. Just grab the embed code from your chosen platform, paste it into your WordPress editor, and boom – you’re done. No fuss, no muss, no technical wizardry required.
Reach and SEO
Last but not least, let’s talk about reach and discoverability. When you upload a video directly to your WordPress site, it’s like throwing a party and forgetting to send out the invites. Sure, your die-hard fans might stumble across it eventually, but what about everyone else? By embedding your videos from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, you’re tapping into their massive built-in audiences. People are already spending countless hours browsing these platforms in search of interesting and entertaining content. By putting your videos where the people are, you’re increasing your chances of reaching new viewers and growing your audience.
In addition, video embed benefits your overall search engine optimization, as your video will play faster and have better quality when hosted on a third-party server.
Conclusion
So there you have it – a few good reasons why embedding videos from platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Loom might be the smarter choice for your WordPress website. From saving on bandwidth and server space to ensuring compatibility across devices and browsers, there’s a lot to love about letting someone else handle the heavy lifting. So go ahead, embed away, and let your video content shine!
