Colors, fonts and layout

Add a background video to a section

Play a silent looping video behind a section, from a file you upload or a link from a video site, and know what to watch for first.

Print this sheet (PDF, opens in a new tab)

A background video is a short clip that plays behind the words in a section, with no sound. A kitchen at work or a view of your shop can set a mood. Use it sparingly.

Before you start

  • Have the video ready as a file (up to 200 MB), or have a shareable link from YouTube, Vimeo or Dailymotion.
  • Prefer an uploaded file. A YouTube video shows its title and the uploader's name as it loads, and that can't be hidden, so we don't recommend YouTube for backgrounds. Vimeo and Dailymotion links also work.
  • Keep the clip short and calm. Fast movement behind your words is hard to read.

Steps

  1. Log in to your site editor and open the page.
  2. Click the section to open its floating menu, then click Design. If you see Edit Design instead, click that.
  3. Find the Background section.
  4. Click the Video tab.
  5. To use a file, click Upload Video and choose it. Sources include your own device, Google Drive, Dropbox, Facebook and Instagram. Or record a new clip with your webcam.
  6. To use a link, paste it into the box for YouTube, Vimeo or Dailymotion.
  7. Look at the section. Check the phone view too.
  8. Publish. If you don't see a Publish button, tell us and we'll publish it for you.

Good to know

  • Background videos never play sound. If your video needs sound, use a video on the page instead.
  • YouTube links don't work on phones, because iPhones won't play them on their own.
  • iPhones in Low Power Mode won't start the video by themselves. They show a play button instead.
  • A video can slow the page down and draw the eye away from your buttons and words, so use one sparingly.
  • To make the effect softer, ask us to add an overlay over the video.
  • If a Dailymotion video belongs to a playlist, add only the video's own link and cut out the part that starts with ?playlist=.

If something looks wrong

  • The video doesn't appear: if you pasted a link, the video's privacy setting may be keeping it off your page. Try a link to a different video. If that one shows, the first video's privacy needs changing at the site that hosts it.
  • Part of the video is cut off: the shape of the video doesn't match the section. Backgrounds can't show the whole frame, so try a video with a shape closer to your section.
  • Everything you upload is publicly available on the internet. Don't upload anything private.

Need a hand?

Email hello@zossoz.com with your business name, the page and your video file or link, and we'll take care of it. We reply within one business day. See Request a change.

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