How to Add Video to Your Website

Are you considering adding video to your website? It can be a great way to connect with your visitors and boost your conversion rates.

This article will assume you already have a video file you want to use (you can use Windows Movie Maker or iMovie to create one). Here are two options you may consider to get that video onto your website:

1) Use a Video Hosting Website

This is the easiest way to get your video online. It allows you to quickly get your video on your website without worrying about extra bandwidth charges (video files are HUGE), and also gives you additional promotion because your video is posted on the video hosting site. Plus, they’ll convert your video file to flash for you which saves you from downloading additional software and spending time on the conversion.

Here are some to look at:
* YouTube
* Google Video
* Photobucket
* Stream Load
* Vimeo

This is the option I personally recommend (quick and easy!) unless you really need more control over your video.

2) Host the video on your website and use a flash player.

There are multiple video formats you could use (Windows Media, Quick Time, etc) but Flash is the most compatible and has a reasonably small file size for video.

The first step is to convert your video file to Flash format.

These three programs will give you a .flv video file only. This is what your Flash .swf file will use to play your video.
* Riva VX: Free, Windows Only*
* FFmpeg: Free, Windows & Mac (not for beginners)*
* Visual Hub: Under $25, Mac Only*

Once you've got a .flv file, the next step is to setup the player. If you’re on Windows, Wimpy Wasp ($30) is a nice program for this. Or there’s Any FLV Player (free).

These programs will provide the flash player you need to add to your website. Just follow their directions.
* Moyea Video4Web Converter: Free, Windows Only
* Adobe Flash: $699, Windows & Mac
* SoThink Flash Video Encoder: $45, Windows Only

Once you’ve got your swf file ready, you’re ready to upload your files (remember to upload both the flv and the swf if required) and then add the code to your website! You can do that part through the cPanel File Manager or your favorite FTP program.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

And now, let me give you access to some great free resources for small businesses including 101 Free/Cheap Ways to Market Your Business, 119 Things You Can Outsource, and more at www.michelleshaeffer.com

Michelle Shaeffer has been a work at home mom for more than 10 years and loves to share the tips and strategies she's learned to help other home based business owners balance, manage, and market their businesses.

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