8 Mastering multimedia

 

This chapter covers

  • Choosing the appropriate number, size, and type of images to display
  • Knowing where to store media files
  • Making sure your site is accessible to all visitors
  • Paying attention to legal matters such as plagiarism, permission, and attribution
  • Managing media when using the block editor

Multimedia is one of the advantages that websites have over print media. Although books and magazines can display images, they can’t include audio or video. In almost every site, you want to add at least some video and certainly images. Audio is optional, and relatively less common.

The numbers support this. Studies show that website content with good, relevant visuals gets 94% more views! (See https://mng.bz/av4x for statistics about how effective visuals are.) You can also read what Forbes magazine says about visual learning and how younger generations in particular base purchasing decisions on images at https://mng.bz/MDWE.

The majority of people claim to be visual learners. In this chapter, we’ll explore the best ways to add relevant pictures, audio, and video to your site to bring it alive and give your visitors a reason to stay awhile.

8.1 Displaying the right amount of media

Of course, you want to be judicious in your use of images or other media. Use too few, and the site becomes static and might look forbiddingly full of gray text. Too many, and your audience will likely become distracted and perhaps annoyed because the pages lack focus.

8.1.1 Testing page-load speed

8.2 Avoiding inappropriate images, audio, or video

8.3 Storing video on YouTube

8.3.1 How to upload a video to YouTube

8.3.2 Embedding your video in a page in your site

8.3.3 Embedding a YouTube video in your site

8.3.4 Modifying the video player

8.4 Using the right image sizes

8.5 Positioning media effectively

8.6 Providing accessibility

8.6.1 Why you should do it

8.6.2 Finding an accessible theme

8.7 Understanding permissions, attribution, and other legalities

8.7.1 Mastering paraphrasing

8.7.2 Further legal questions

8.7.3 Finding free media