How to optimize videos for your Presence® website

Technical specifications and best practices for uploading opening videos and deciding when to use YouTube or Vimeo instead.

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Overview

Video content can significantly slow down your website if not properly optimized. This article covers the technical specifications for opening videos uploaded directly to Presence® and guidance on when to host videos on YouTube or Vimeo instead.

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Upload directly vs. host externally — quick reference

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Opening video checklist

Before uploading an opening video to Presence®:

• Duration is under 30 seconds
• Resolution is 1080p (1920 x 1080px)
• File format is MP4 with H.264 codec
• Audio track has been removed
• File size is 10–15 MB (50 MB maximum)
• Frame rate is 24–30 fps
• Tested on mobile devices

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Opening video specifications

Opening videos are background videos that autoplay and loop continuously at the top of a page — typically on the homepage hero section. They play without sound.

Why not 4K? 4K files are significantly larger than 1080p with no visible quality improvement on most screens. Use 1080p for all opening videos.

Why remove audio? Opening videos autoplay muted — keeping an audio track only increases file size without any benefit.

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How to compress a video before uploading

Always compress your video to 10–15 MB before uploading to Presence®. Three free options:

HandBrake (free desktop app — Mac, Windows, Linux) Open your video in HandBrake, select the Web or Fast 1080p30 preset, set the codec to H.264, set frame rate to 30 fps constant, adjust the quality slider to RF 22–24, remove the audio track, and export. Check the output file size before uploading.

Clideo or CloudConvert (browser-based) Upload your video, select 1080p resolution, MP4 format, and remove the audio track. Download and check the file size before uploading.

Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro Export with H.264 format, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 30 fps, 5–8 Mbps bitrate (VBR, 1 pass), and no audio track. Adjust the bitrate if needed to reach 10–15 MB.

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When to use YouTube or Vimeo instead

For most video content other than opening background videos, hosting on YouTube or Vimeo and embedding the link in Presence® is a better approach.

Use YouTube or Vimeo for:

• Videos longer than 30 seconds — property tours, market updates, testimonials, agent introductions
• Any video with audio
• Multiple videos on a single page
• Content you update frequently — easier to swap on YouTube/Vimeo than re-uploading to your site

Why external hosting is better for long-form content:

• Adaptive streaming adjusts quality based on the viewer's connection speed — no buffering
• Your website isn't burdened with large video files
• YouTube videos can rank in search results and drive additional traffic to your site
• Detailed analytics help you understand how viewers engage with your content

Privacy settings for embedded videos: Set videos to Unlisted on both YouTube and Vimeo. Unlisted videos are accessible to anyone with the link but don't appear in search results on those platforms — they'll play on your website but won't be publicly findable on YouTube or Vimeo.

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How to embed a YouTube or Vimeo video in Presence®

Once your video is uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo:

1. Copy the video URL or embed code from the platform.
2. In the Presence® Website Builder, add or click on a video element.
3. Paste the URL into the Video URL field in the element settings.
4. Click Save.

For more detail on adding video elements to your website, see [How to add video elements to your Presence® website] and [How to add and manage a featured video on your homepage].

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FAQs

What file format should I use for opening videos?

MP4 with H.264 codec is required. It's the most widely supported format across browsers and devices and provides the best balance of quality and file size.

How large can my opening video file be?

The maximum file size is 50 MB, but the target is 10–15 MB. Larger files slow down page load times — compress before uploading using HandBrake, Clideo, or your video editing software.

Do I need to remove the audio from my opening video?

Yes. Opening videos autoplay muted, so audio serves no purpose. Removing the audio track reduces file size and is required for this video type.

Can I use a 4K video for my opening video?

No — use 1080p (1920 x 1080px). 4K files are significantly larger with no visible quality improvement on most screens. 1080p provides the right balance of quality and file size for background videos.

Should I set my YouTube or Vimeo video to Public or Unlisted?

Use Unlisted. Unlisted videos play normally when embedded on your website but don't appear in search results on YouTube or Vimeo. This keeps the video accessible through your site without making it publicly searchable on the platform.

My opening video looks good on desktop but loads slowly on mobile — what should I do?

Check your file size — it may exceed the 10–15 MB target. Compress the video further before re-uploading. Also confirm the video duration is under 30 seconds and that you're using H.264 codec at 1080p resolution.