Free Videos for Website Background: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Blurry Image of a Brownish Background
Credit: pexels.com, Blurry Image of a Brownish Background

Adding free videos to your website background can be a game-changer for user engagement and visual appeal.

First, you'll need to choose a video source. You can find free videos on websites like Pexels, which offers over 13,000 high-quality videos.

To get started, visit Pexels and browse their video collection. You can filter by category, resolution, or file size to find the perfect video for your website.

The most important thing is to find a video that aligns with your website's theme and tone. This will help create a cohesive and engaging user experience.

Once you've found the perfect video, you can download it and add it to your website using a simple embed code.

Free Video Sources

If you're looking for free video sources, you're in luck - there are plenty of options available. Pexels is a great place to start, offering a vast collection of beautiful moving images that can be downloaded or embedded for free.

Credit: youtube.com, 5 Best Free Stock Footage Websites (Royalty Free For YouTube)

Some websites can create their own amazing videos, but others may not have the resources. That's where stock footage or free stock videos come in - and there are numerous sites that offer them.

Pexels has a newsletter that sends you the newest and latest videos, so be sure to sign up. This way, you'll always be up-to-date on the latest free video options.

Videvo is similar to Pexels, but it also offers a premium plan if you want to download videos without crediting the owner. You can download free stock videos, motion graphics, stock music, and sound effects all in one place.

Offeo Intro Maker can't offer free stock videos, but it has all the tools and resources you need to create your own videos and download them. With thousands of free video templates to choose from, you can customize your website's short video background and download it for free.

Adding Videos to Your Website

Credit: youtube.com, Create and Optimize a Self-Hosted Video Background for Free

Adding a video background to your website can increase conversion rates by up to 80%, making it a great way to grab visitors' attention and encourage clicks.

About 40% of users leave a website if it takes more than three seconds to load, so hosting the video on a reliable platform like HubSpot's Content Hub can help ensure your website's peak performance.

Video backgrounds take up the entire width and height of the viewport, making them a great way to add some visual flair to boost engagement.

You don't need to be a coding expert to add a video background, as it's easy to implement with some CSS knowledge.

If you're using WordPress, you can use Elementor, a popular page builder plugin, to simplify creating visually appealing pages and posts without coding.

Adding a video background can be especially effective for businesses selling physical or digital products, helping visitors understand what you're selling and get curious.

With drag and drop website builders like Wix, Squarespace, or Weebly, you can easily add a video background without needing any coding skills.

Additional reading: Free Coding Website

Customizing Video Background

Credit: youtube.com, Website background video

Customizing video backgrounds can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. To start, you'll need to adjust the height and width of the video background. You can do this by clicking the editor's 'Full Height' button or extending the video background to full width.

You can also drag or insert content, such as text, buttons, or images, on top of the background video. To make sure your video background works on all devices, it's essential to set a fallback image that will be displayed on devices that don't preview videos automatically. This image should be a snapshot of the video or something relevant to your website's content.

Here are some key attributes to keep in mind when customizing your video background:

  • id attribute for styling your video element with CSS
  • autoplay attribute to start the video automatically
  • loop attribute to play the video in an infinite loop
  • muted attribute to turn off sound for the video
  • poster image to show on the screen as the video is loading

Keeping It Seamless

To create a seamless video background, it's essential to choose a video that complements your website's content. A video that's too flashy or unrelated to your site can stick out like a sore thumb.

Credit: youtube.com, Create Flawless & Seamless Backdrops with Photoshop

For instance, if you're using a free stock video, make sure it's relevant to your website's theme or products. As mentioned earlier, a snapshot of the video or a relevant image should be set as a fallback for devices that don't play videos automatically.

The transitions in your video should be smooth and well-timed to create a cohesive look. If you're using a self-made video, pay attention to the editing process to ensure the footage flows smoothly.

Choosing a Theme or Plugin

If you're looking for a hassle-free way to add a video background, consider selecting a WordPress theme with built-in video background support.

You can find these themes by going to your WordPress dashboard, clicking on 'Appearance' and then 'Themes', and searching for themes with "video background" functionality.

Some popular plugins that offer video background functionality include the Video Background plugin, which is free and easy to use, and the Easy Video Player WordPress Plugin.

Credit: youtube.com, Create and Optimize a Self-Hosted Video Background for Free

The Video Background plugin requires filling in four mandatory fields, including specifying the location of the video background, providing links to .mp4 and .webm files, and specifying a fallback image.

Optional fields in the Video Background plugin include adding a color overlay, choosing the overlay color, determining the level of transparency, enabling or disabling the looping of the video background, and adding a "Tap to unmute" button.

Alternatively, you can explore other video background plugins, such as the Easy Video Player WordPress Plugin, Elementor Background Image & Video Slider, and Video Gallery – YouTube Playlist, Channel Gallery by YotuWP, which offer unique features and functionalities.

Some popular plugins that offer video background functionality include:

The choice of theme or plugin ultimately depends on your website's requirements and your comfort with WordPress.

Best Practices and Considerations

When choosing free videos for your website background, consider the length of the video. A 10-second video can be effective for a simple website, but a 30-second video can be better for a more complex one.

Credit: youtube.com, Top 3 Best FREE STOCK VIDEO Footage Websites! #shorts

To ensure smooth playback, select a video with a resolution of 1080p or higher, such as the 4K videos mentioned in the article. This will provide a clear and high-quality visual experience for your users.

Make sure to check the licensing terms of the video, as some free videos may have restrictions on commercial use, such as the Creative Commons Attribution license.

Is It Necessary?

Audiovisual content has become the need of the hour. Depending on your industry and how it is appropriate to have a background video or not, there is no right or wrong answer.

Movement in the background can completely change the aesthetic design of websites. Adding movement can make a big difference in how your website is perceived.

There's no one-size-fits-all solution, and it ultimately depends on your industry and what works best for you.

Audiovisual content can be a game-changer for your website and content.

It's worth considering the impact of a background video on your website's design.

How Long?

Credit: youtube.com, Best Practice and Considerations

Background videos should be short and sweet, lasting no longer than 10-15 seconds. This brevity is crucial in luring viewers in without overwhelming them.

Most websites use short videos on loop, but be aware that this can consume viewer data and cause lag. A loop video can be a good trick, but use it wisely.

To avoid overcomplicating your background video, keep it simple and focused. Don't try to make it instructional or too complicated.

Judith Lang

Senior Assigning Editor

Judith Lang is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for curating engaging content for readers. With a keen eye for detail, she has successfully managed a wide range of article categories, from technology and software to education and career development. Judith's expertise lies in assigning and editing articles that cater to the needs of modern professionals, providing them with valuable insights and knowledge to stay ahead in their fields.

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