Video backgrounds on websites - cool or a bit naff?

[Bikerjon]

My project to abandon Wordpress has started and I'm thinking the site is in need of a design refresh as well as moving it to a new platform. Currently I'm experimenting with a blurred background video of people working in an office on the home page (I know it's nothing exciting, but I work in IT rather than motor racing!) Dull as it is, it seems to add a certain bit of life to an otherwise static home page.

What's the feeling on video backgrounds? Design fad or can they help to engage visitors?

[phil4]

It's the latest fad (as say latest, perhaps I mean recent). It's interesting the first time you visit, and then ignored thereafter.

Also, check the site looks ok on lower bandwidth, not everyone has super speeds (eg. mobile with 3G signal).

[DSLiverpool]

Keep it clear and possibly boring with all the info people need clearly accessible, people will click away if they cannot see a good UX path within seconds (unless your the seller of unicorn poo in which case they will persevere)

[LordGrover]

^^ Just for you: unicorn poop.

[DSLiverpool]

LordGrover said:

^^ Just for you: unicorn poop.

[FourWheelDrift]

Video backgrounds distracting, blurred video backgrounds eye-achingly focus fail annoying.

[Bikerjon]

FourWheelDrift said:

Video backgrounds distracting, blurred video backgrounds eye-achingly focus fail annoying.

That's decided then, the video stays!

Actually I'll probably wait until it's a bit more finished and then see what it looks like on different devices. For mobiles it's probably fairly pointless and this is supposed to be my first site where I plan on giving most of the design focus to mobile rather than desktop. Looks like I got distracted already!

[Motorrad]

Unless the content is compelling I just navigate away from sites auto playing video content I haven't requested.

[eltawater]

I find them incredibly annoying and distracting me from what I'm trying to read on the page. That sort of defeats the point of me being on your site unless you're Youtube, and just means I'll go somewhere else if I can acquire the information more easily from their web page.

[OlonMusky]

Video backgrounds are amazing. Please can you also enable sound by default, and make it so that it cannot be muted (other than using system wide mute)?

[HantsRat]

Websites with video usually have a higher bounce rate. Not so much in desktop but alot higher on mobile. If you're going to pursue this, I wouldn't show the video when the site is viewed on mobile devices.

[steveatesh]

I dislike video backgrounds too, if I’m looking for information that’s what I want, not distracting moving objects annoying the life out of me.

[Funk]

Yeah, not a fan here either. Simple really is better.

[Hoofy]

OlonMusky said:

Video backgrounds are amazing. Please can you also enable sound by default, and make it so that it cannot be muted (other than using system wide mute)?

I would definitely see if you can use this video in the background of your company's website. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25zdFWGKyi0

[OlonMusky]

HantsRat said:

Websites with video usually have a higher bounce rate. Not so much in desktop but alot higher on mobile. If you're going to pursue this, I wouldn't show the video when the site is viewed on mobile devices.

Wrong answer, I wouldn't show the video AT ALL. Have a look at this great example.

https://www.learnship.com/us/

[peterperkins]

They look naff and consume resources. Bandwidth, energy and time.

It's not going to load very fast for someone on the bandwidth of two baked bean cans linked by a piece of wet string.

[Bikerjon]

Thanks all, I had a feeling it wouldn't be to everyones taste, but I still think if it's done right it can look quite good. My key landing pages will be fast and optimised, so this video background is only for the first section of the home page - which is slightly less important as most visitors wont typically arrive there from a search engine.

That said, as with so many aspects of web design, I'll probably look at it again in 3 months and decide I don't like it!

[OlonMusky]

Bikerjon said:

if it's done right it can look quite good.

Yep, you only need to deploy this new up and coming piece of software called Real Player. Check it out, all big players are about to jump on it so you have a chance to be a pioneer.