How to Add a YouTube Video as a Fullscreen Background in WordPress: A Comprehensive Guide

As a seasoned WordPress expert with over 15 years of experience, I’ve witnessed countless trends come and go. But one thing that never fails to impress is the power of video. When used strategically, a video background can instantly grab a visitor’s attention and keep them glued to your website. This makes videos a perfect choice for landing pages, sales pages, and any area where you want to make a strong visual impact.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the steps of adding a YouTube video as a fullscreen background in WordPress. We’ll explore two methods, one free and one premium, and offer insights into why this technique is so effective for boosting engagement and conversions.

Why Use a YouTube Video as a Fullscreen Background?

Before we dive into the technicalities, let’s explore the compelling reasons why incorporating a YouTube video as a background can be a game-changer for your website:

• Captures Attention Instantly: In today’s fast-paced digital world, grabbing attention is crucial. A captivating video background immediately engages visitors and sets the tone for a memorable experience.
• Enhances User Experience: A visually appealing background creates a more immersive and engaging user experience. It can make your website feel more dynamic and professional.
• Boosts Conversions: Videos have a powerful influence on purchasing decisions. A compelling video background can subtly guide visitors towards your call to action, increasing conversion rates.
• Reduces Bounce Rate: By captivating visitors and keeping them on your website longer, a video background effectively reduces bounce rates, a key metric for website success.
• Sets You Apart: Using a YouTube video as a background differentiates you from competitors. It showcases creativity and adds a touch of personality to your brand.

Method 1: Use Advanced WordPress Backgrounds for Fullscreen Video Background (Free)

If you’re looking for a straightforward and free solution to add a video background, the Advanced WordPress Backgrounds plugin is a great option. This plugin introduces a dedicated ‘Background’ block that lets you create full-screen backgrounds using any color, image, or video, including YouTube videos. It seamlessly integrates with the Gutenberg block editor, making it easy to use for beginners.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Begin by installing and activating the Advanced WordPress Backgrounds plugin from the WordPress plugin directory. For a detailed guide on installing plugins, refer to this article.
2. Add the Background Block: Navigate to the page or post where you want to add the video background. Within the Gutenberg block editor, click on the ‘+’ add block button. Search for ‘Background AWB’ and click to add the block to your page.
3. Choose the Video Tab: In the left-hand menu of the block editor, select the ‘Video’ tab. Then, choose the ‘YouTube / Vimeo’ sub-tab.
4. Paste the YouTube Video URL: Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to use as a background. Paste this URL into the designated field within the block editor.
5. Preview and Adjust: The block editor will show a preview of how the video background will look. Feel free to adjust the video size based on the content you add on top of it. The plugin is smart enough to adapt the video to the layout.
6. Mobile Device Visibility: By default, the video background is disabled on mobile devices. If you want it to be visible on mobile, toggle the ‘Enable on mobile devices’ option.
7. Fine-tune Playback: You can customize playback settings. The default is autoplay and looping, but you can set a specific portion of the video to play by entering start and end times. You can also disable looping by turning off the ‘Loop’ toggle.
8. Opacity and Overlay: The video initially appears at 100% opacity. Adjust the ‘Image Opacity’ slider to make the background more subtle. To enhance the look, experiment with adding a colored overlay using the ‘Overlay Color’ section.
9. Explore Additional Settings: The plugin offers a range of settings for tweaking the background, including the parallax effect and spacing. Experiment with these to create the perfect look.
10. Add Content on Top: Once satisfied with the video background, click on the ‘+’ icon within the ‘Background (AWB)’ block to add content like text, links, or images. Remember to adjust the text color to ensure good contrast against the video background.
11. Save and Publish: When you’re happy with the design, click on the ‘Update’ or ‘Publish’ button to make the page live. Visit your website to see the video background in action.

Method 2: Use Thrive Architect to Add a Fullscreen Video Background (Recommended)

If you crave ultimate control over your fullscreen background video or want a user-friendly tool to design your entire website, Thrive Architect is the way to go. This popular WordPress page builder plugin is designed for beginners and offers powerful features like drag-and-drop functionality and conversion-optimized landing page templates.

To leverage this method:

1. Purchase a Thrive Architect Plan: You’ll need to purchase a Thrive Architect plan, which is available as a standalone product or as part of the Thrive Themes bundle. Once purchased, install the plugin on your WordPress site.
2. Edit with Thrive Architect: Navigate to ‘Pages’ in your WordPress dashboard and select the page you want to edit. Hover over the page and choose ‘Edit with Thrive Architect.’
3. Add the Background Section Element: Click on the ‘+’ button on the right side of the page and search for the ‘Background Section’ element. Drag and drop this element onto your page.
4. Activate Video Background: In the left-side menu of the Thrive Architect editor, scroll down to the ‘Background Style’ section. Activate the ‘Video background’ toggle and select ‘YouTube’ as the source.
5. Paste the YouTube URL: Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to use. Paste this URL into the designated field in the Thrive Architect editor.
6. Make It Fullscreen: The video background is not fullscreen by default. Scroll up to the ‘Main Options’ section and enable the following options:
   • ‘Content covers entire screen width’
   • ‘Match height to screen’
   • ‘Stretch to fit screen width’
7. Add Content: Click on the ‘+’ button again and drag and drop any desired elements like text, images, buttons, or forms. Thrive Architect has a wide range of conversion-focused elements to choose from.
8. Background Color and Opacity: If the background color doesn’t contrast well with the text, go back to the ‘Background Style’ section and choose a solid color in the ‘Add Layer’ option. Adjust the opacity of the color filter as needed.
9. Scroll Behavior: You can customize the behavior of the video background when the visitor scrolls down the page. I recommend keeping it static to avoid unnecessary video playback and maintain website performance.
10. Responsive Design: In the ‘Responsive’ section, decide whether you want the video background to appear on mobile and tablet devices. Keep in mind that videos can slow down loading times on smaller screens, so consider your target audience’s browsing habits.
11. Save Your Changes: Once you’re happy with the fullscreen YouTube video background, click the ‘Save Work’ button to save your changes.

Alternative: Add an Animated Background in WordPress

While video backgrounds are visually engaging, they can sometimes affect website loading speed. If you’re seeking a more lightweight alternative, consider using an animated background. One of the best ways to achieve this is with SeedProd, a powerful drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress.

SeedProd lets you add stunning animated backgrounds using particle.js, a JavaScript library that creates interactive particle animations. For a step-by-step guide on adding animated backgrounds, refer to this article.

Bonus Tip: Add a YouTube Video Feed in WordPress

Want to display multiple videos on your website? While WordPress has built-in video embed blocks, a more visually appealing solution is to use a dedicated YouTube gallery plugin. Smash Balloon YouTube Feed Pro is the go-to plugin for this purpose.

Smash Balloon YouTube Feed Pro automatically displays the latest videos from your YouTube channel, ensuring your visitors always see the most recent content. It also lets you embed YouTube playlists, favorites, and live streams on your WordPress website.

The key advantage of Smash Balloon is that it doesn’t slow down your website. Its built-in YouTube caching feature ensures fast loading speeds, which is crucial for SEO.

For a detailed guide on displaying YouTube videos on your WordPress site, check out this article.

Conclusion

Adding a YouTube video as a fullscreen background in WordPress is a simple yet impactful way to enhance user engagement and create a memorable experience. The methods we explored, whether you prefer a free solution like Advanced WordPress Backgrounds or a powerful premium plugin like Thrive Architect, offer the flexibility to customize your website’s appearance and achieve your desired goals.

Remember to consider your audience and website’s overall design when choosing a video background. Select videos that complement your brand and enhance the user experience. And always prioritize website performance by using a plugin that efficiently manages video playback and minimizes loading times.

FAQs

What are the best video background plugins for WordPress?

Several excellent plugins are available for adding video backgrounds. Here are some of the most popular options:

• Advanced WordPress Backgrounds: Free plugin that offers a straightforward solution for adding video backgrounds.
• Thrive Architect: Powerful premium plugin for building websites and landing pages with video backgrounds, along with other advanced features.
• Elementor: Popular page builder plugin that offers a variety of video background options.
• Visual Composer: Another popular page builder with support for video backgrounds.

Can I use a video background on mobile devices?

You can enable video backgrounds on mobile devices, but it’s essential to consider the impact on website performance. Videos take longer to load on mobile, which can affect user experience. If you choose to enable video backgrounds on mobile, ensure that the videos are optimized for smaller screens and load quickly.

How can I ensure my video background doesn’t slow down my website?

To minimize the impact on website speed, follow these tips:

• Use a dedicated video background plugin: These plugins are designed to manage video playback efficiently.
• Choose high-quality videos that are optimized for the web: This means selecting videos with a reasonable file size and a resolution that’s suitable for your website’s design.
• Avoid using large, high-resolution videos: These can take a long time to load, especially on slower internet connections.
• Enable video caching: This helps to speed up video delivery by storing copies of the video on your server.

Can I use any YouTube video as a background?

You can use most YouTube videos as backgrounds. However, some videos may have restrictions that prevent embedding or using them as backgrounds. It’s always a good idea to check the video description or permissions before using it.

Are there any alternatives to using YouTube videos as backgrounds?

Yes, there are several alternatives. You can use:

• Self-hosted videos: Upload videos to your own WordPress server, but this can impact website performance.
• Animated backgrounds: Create a visually appealing background using JavaScript libraries like particle.js.
• Static images: Choose a high-quality image that complements your website’s design.

How do I choose the right video for my website’s background?

Here are some factors to consider when selecting a video:

• Brand alignment: The video should reflect your brand’s personality and values.
• Target audience: Consider the interests and preferences of your target audience.
• Website design: The video should complement the overall aesthetic of your website.
• Video length: Short, looping videos are ideal for backgrounds.
• Video quality: Choose high-quality videos that are optimized for the web.

How can I add text or other content on top of the video background?

Most video background plugins allow you to add text or other content on top of the video. You can use text blocks, image blocks, or other content elements within your page builder or block editor. It’s important to ensure good contrast between the text and the video background to make it easily readable.

Can I use a video background for my homepage?

Yes, you can use a video background for your homepage. It can create a dynamic and engaging first impression for visitors. However, remember to optimize the video for performance and consider the impact on loading times.

Is it better to use a YouTube video or a self-hosted video as a background?

YouTube videos are generally a better choice for background videos. YouTube’s infrastructure is optimized for video delivery, and it’s highly unlikely that a YouTube video will significantly impact your website’s performance. Self-hosting videos can strain your server resources, especially if you have a large number of videos or high-resolution content.

Are there any risks associated with using video backgrounds?

The main risk is the potential impact on website performance. If your videos are large or not optimized, they can slow down loading times, especially on mobile devices. To mitigate this risk, choose videos carefully, optimize them for the web, and consider enabling video caching.

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