Adding a video to your website is a great way to build trust and help customers understand your services. Below are three easy options. Pick the one that works best for you.
Option 1 (Recommended): Send Us the YouTube Embed Code
This is the most common and reliable method. The video is hosted on YouTube, and we place it on your website using the embed code. This keeps your website fast because the video file is not stored on your website.
Steps
Upload the video to your YouTube channel. Set it to Public so it is live and visible to everyone. This is the best option if you want the video visible on both your website and YouTube.
Open the video on YouTube, click Share, then click Embed, and copy the code (it starts with
<iframe).Paste the embed code into a plain text file and save it as a .txt file.
Email us the .txt file as an attachment and include:
The link to the page where the video should go
Where on the page you want it placed (example: near the top, under a certain section, above the contact form)
Next step: After we receive your email with the embed code, we will add it to the page or submit the request with the technical team. You will receive a notification once the task is completed.
Option 2: We Upload to Your YouTube Channel (Then We Embed It on Your Website)
If you prefer, we can handle the YouTube upload for you. After we upload the video to your YouTube channel, we will take care of embedding it on your website.
Steps
Give us access to your YouTube channel so we can upload the video on your behalf.
Send us the video file using one of the options below:
A download link from Google Drive, Dropbox, or pCloud
Your Digital Shift upload folder (if you have it). If you do not have the link, let us know and we will send it to you.
Tell us:
The link to the page where the video should go
Where on the page you want it placed
Next step: Once we have access to your YouTube channel and a download link to the video file, we will upload the video and publish it as Public so it is live and visible to everyone. We will then embed it on your website or submit a request with the technical team to complete the task. You will receive a notification once it is done.
Option 3: Send the Embed Code to Your Web Developer or Marketing Company
If you have your own web developer or another company managing your website, you can send them the YouTube embed code directly and have them add it to the page.
Steps
Log in to YouTube and upload your video. Set it to Public so it is live and visible to everyone.
Once the video is uploaded, click Share, then Embed, and copy the code.
Send your developer the following:
The embed code
The page link where it should go
Where on the page it should be placed
Any preferences (example: no autoplay)
Next step: Once you have the embed code copied from YouTube, send it to your web developer along with the details above so they can add it to the page.
Important: Permission to Use the Video
Before any video is added to your website, please confirm you have permission to use it publicly.
This includes:
Anyone who appears in the video (customers, employees, or anyone else on camera)
Any third party video content (for example, a video produced by a videographer or another company)
This helps avoid any issues with using the video on your website and in future promotions.
Should You Add a Video to Your Website?
Yes. Video content is one of the best ways to help potential customers get to know you quickly. A well-placed video can help visitors understand who you are, what you do, and what makes your business different.
Video is becoming more important for search engines and AI-powered search tools. Having the video on your website and on your YouTube channel gives you two chances to be found.
Talking head videos (where you speak directly to the camera) are especially effective for home service businesses. They are simple to produce, personal, and build trust fast. YouTube Shorts are also a great way to build visibility with short, helpful clips.
Pros and Cons of Embedding a Video on Your Website
Short summary Adding a video is a big upside when the video matches the page and is genuinely helpful. The best results come from using the right video for the right goal.
A simple way to think about it:
Awareness (top of funnel): Introduce your business to someone who is seeing you for the first time.
Consideration (middle of funnel): Explain your services and help the customer feel confident.
Decision (bottom of funnel): Help someone who is close to booking feel ready to call or request a quote.
SEO (Google)
Pros
A good video can keep visitors on the page longer, which supports engagement.
Videos on YouTube can bring in leads through YouTube search.
Video content is valued by search engines as a sign of credibility.
Cons
A video alone does not improve rankings. The page still needs good written content.
Pages with only a video and very little text may not perform as well in search.
AI Search and Discovery
Pros
AI models and AI-powered search tools (like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and others) increasingly value video as a rich content signal.
Videos that answer common customer questions can be surfaced by AI tools looking for helpful, credible information.
YouTube videos tied to your brand can help AI models better understand your business and services when responding to user queries.
Video transcripts (automatically created by YouTube) give AI tools more content to analyze and reference.
Cons
AI tools may not always display or link to your video, even if it is relevant.
Without strong supporting text on the page, AI models may not fully understand the context or quality of the video content.
Customer Experience
Pros
Builds trust quickly, especially for introductions, service walkthroughs, and testimonials.
Helps potential customers understand what you do before they call.
Formats like talking head videos and Shorts are great for personal connection.
Cons
Some people prefer to read, so keep key information on the page in text too.
Autoplay can frustrate visitors, so we recommend leaving autoplay off.
Website Speed
Pros
YouTube hosting is better for speed than uploading the video directly to your website.
YouTube automatically handles video quality and device compatibility.
Cons
Embeds can add some load time. Multiple videos on one page can have a bigger impact.
We may recommend a click to load approach (thumbnail first) to help protect page speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to send the embed code as a text file attachment instead of pasting it in the email body?
Embed codes can get altered when pasted into an email. Some email programs reformat the code, and some spam filters flag emails that contain code in the message body. Sending it as a .txt attachment makes sure we receive the code exactly as it should be.
What is the difference between Public and Unlisted on YouTube?
Public means anyone can find and watch the video on YouTube, and it can be embedded on your website. Unlisted means the video does not show up in YouTube search results, but it can still be watched with a link and embedded on your website. For most businesses, Public is the best option because it supports visibility on both your website and YouTube.
How long should my video be?
For a quick introduction or service overview, one to two minutes is a great target. For a service explanation or testimonial, two to five minutes works well. The main goal is to keep it clear and helpful.
Can I add more than one video to a page?
Yes, but we recommend one video per page unless there is a specific reason for more. Multiple videos can slow down the page and overwhelm visitors.
What if my video is not on YouTube?
Other platforms like Vimeo can work, but YouTube is the most common and easiest for embedding. If your video is hosted elsewhere, send us the details and we can confirm if it can be embedded properly.
What happens after I send the embed code?
Once we have the embed code and page details, we will add it to the page or submit it to our technical team. You will receive a notification once the task is completed.
Do I need a YouTube channel to get started?
Yes, you will need a YouTube account and channel to upload and embed videos using this method. Setting one up is free and only takes a few minutes. If you need help getting your channel set up or would like guidance on how to get started, reach out to your Digital Shift client success manager and we can point you in the right direction.
Still Need Help?
Contact your Digital Shift client success manager and we will assist you. If none of these three options are the right fit, we will help you choose the best approach and get the video added to your website.