Optimising Video for Social Media & Websites: A Format Guide
We’re finding that our clients are becoming increasingly savvy, producing engaging, high-quality videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, particularly in the vertical 9:16 format – perfect for stories and reels. But when it comes to integrating this content into their websites, a common challenge arises: the format that shines on social media often falls flat on a traditional web page.
We’ve noticed a growing trend where clients are rightfully proud of their social media video content and want to showcase it on their websites. However, the vertical, portrait-oriented format, while ideal for mobile-first social platforms, doesn’t always translate seamlessly to the horizontal landscape layout of most websites.
The Problem: Format Mismatch and User Experience
Simply embedding a 9:16 video into a website often results in a visually awkward experience. Due to technical limitations, these videos frequently need to be placed within pop-out modals to ensure playback, hindering the user experience and making the content feel like an afterthought. This is a real shame, as it undermines the client’s hard work and the impact of their video.
The Ideal Solution: Two Takes, One Vision
Ideally, clients would create two versions of their video content:
Vertical 9:16: Specifically designed for social media platforms, maximising engagement on mobile devices.
Horizontal 16:9: Optimised for website embedding, ensuring a seamless and professional presentation.
This approach guarantees that the video content looks it’s best across all platforms, maintaining brand consistency and maximising impact.
The Realistic Approach: Shooting Wider and Cropping Smartly
We understand that producing two separate takes isn’t always feasible. In such cases, a practical solution is to shoot the video content a bit wider. This allows for flexibility in post-production:
The wider shot can be cropped to the 9:16 vertical format for social media. We at Dental Design can then “square it off” or adapt it to a more suitable format for embedding within the body of a web page, ensuring it integrates smoothly.
If you have any questions about optimising your video content, or need advice on how to make your videos work seamlessly across all platforms, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us today on 01202 677277.
More posts from our team
Five Star
Reviewed Marketing
"Would definitely recommend to a friend"
"I cannot recommend Dental Design highly enough"
"Really great company to deal with"
"Very professional, efficient & adaptive to new situations"
"I cannot recommend them highly enough"
"Has been invaluable and gone out of her way to help us"
"We love the look of our practice website. Very professional!"
"Dental Design stood out both in their knowledge of the industry and their professionalism"
"The team and package offered at dental design was unrivalled"
"absolutely fantastic and are always on hand to help"
"Dental Design are fantastic to work with"
"always met with a swift and professional response"
