Let me tell you adding videos to WordPress is a must for any website.

Whether you’re sharing a quick product demo explaining a complex topic or just adding some visual flair videos really engage your audience.

You might think it’s complicated but trust me it’s not as daunting as it seems.

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The Different Ways to Add Videos to WordPress

Now before we dive into the specifics let’s clear something up.

There’s a difference between “uploading” a video directly to WordPress and “embedding” it from a third-party service like YouTube or Vimeo.

Uploading a video to WordPress means it gets stored right on your website’s server. Think of it like putting a file on your computer. This can be good but it also comes with some downsides.

Embedding a video from a service like YouTube means you just link to the video. It doesn’t actually live on your site. This saves space on your server and helps your site load faster. It’s usually the better option but it’s not always perfect.

Jetpack VideoPress: My Go-To for WordPress Videos

I’ve tried a bunch of different methods and Jetpack VideoPress has become my absolute favorite.

Here’s why:

It’s specifically designed for WordPress: It integrates seamlessly with your dashboard so it feels natural and easy to use.
Affordable and ad-free: You can get started for free with a single video and there’s a generous discount for your first year. Plus you don’t have to worry about those annoying ads interrupting your content.
Easy to use: It’s as simple as drag-and-drop. Just upload your video and it appears in your WordPress Media Library. No fancy coding or technical jargon needed.
High-quality playback: Your videos will look great and stream smoothly even for larger files. No more pixelated or choppy videos.
Customization options: You can customize the player to match your brand add cool effects and even control things like autoplay and looping.

How to Upload and Insert a Video with Jetpack VideoPress

let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

Here’s how you can upload and insert a video using Jetpack VideoPress:

Install and activate the plugin: Head over to your WordPress dashboard go to Plugins → Add New and search for “Jetpack VideoPress.” Click “Install” and then “Activate.”
Connect Jetpack to your website: If you haven’t already connected Jetpack you’ll be prompted to do so. Just click “Approve” and it will take a few seconds.
Upload your video: You can either drag and drop a video directly onto the page click on “Add your first video” or “Select file to upload.” Jetpack will take care of the rest!

Now that your video is uploaded let’s see how to actually add it to a page or post:

Open the Block Editor: Create a new page or post or edit an existing one.
Add the VideoPress block: Click on the plus symbol to “Add block” and then search for “VideoPress.” You can also use the keyboard shortcut “/videopress” and hit enter.
Choose your video: Select “Media Library” and choose the video you want to use. You can also drag and drop it directly into the block.
Customize the player: You can tweak things like autoplay looping and the appearance of the progress bar.
Publish your page or post: That’s it! You’ve successfully added a video using Jetpack VideoPress.

The “Old-School” Way: Uploading Videos Directly to WordPress

Now for those who want to take the more traditional route you can upload videos directly to your WordPress Media Library.

It’s a bit more work and it can slow down your site but it’s an option.

Go to Media → Add New: Click on “Select Files” or drag and drop your video into the box.
Wait for the upload to complete: The progress bar will show you how far along it is.
Check your Media Library: Go to Media → Library. You should see your video’s thumbnail there.

Why Jetpack VideoPress is Often the Better Choice

You might be thinking “Why bother with Jetpack VideoPress if I can just upload directly to WordPress?”

Well Jetpack VideoPress makes a world of difference:

Better performance: Your videos will load faster meaning a smoother experience for your visitors.
Less server strain: You won’t have to worry about your videos eating up valuable server space.
Professional playback: Your videos will look and sound their best.
Greater flexibility: You get more options for customizing the player and controlling playback.

Beyond Jetpack: Other Ways to Add Videos to WordPress

While Jetpack VideoPress is my go-to it’s not the only option.

You could also:

Use YouTube or Vimeo: These popular platforms offer great video hosting and embedding features. The downside is that you’re relying on a third-party service and you might have to deal with ads.
Use Amazon S3: This is a powerful cloud storage service but it’s more complex and expensive than Jetpack VideoPress.

Common Video-Related Questions

Q: How do I create a video background for a page?

A: You can use the Cover block or a video plugin to create a video background. There are tutorials available online that walk you through the process step by step.

Q: What if my videos are really big?

A: If you’re dealing with large videos Jetpack VideoPress is your best bet. It’s designed to handle even the largest files without impacting your site’s performance.

Q: Can I use a video as my website’s header?

A: You can! There are several ways to do it but it’s a bit more advanced. Again there are helpful tutorials out there that show you how to achieve this effect.

Wrapping it Up

Adding videos to your WordPress site can really boost your content’s appeal and keep visitors engaged.

While you can always upload directly to WordPress using a service like Jetpack VideoPress is often the better choice for performance flexibility and overall ease of use.

So what are you waiting for? Start adding some videos to your site and see the difference it makes!

How to Upload a Video to WordPress & Add it to a Page or Post ⚠️