WordPress: The Platform That Powers Over 40% of Websites on the Internet

WordPress has become the go-to content management system for creating websites today, with more than 40% of all sites online powered by it. While it is commonly known for its versatility and user-friendly interface, users often find that uploading large videos is a pain in the neck. But don’t fret, as there are tools and plugins to help you do this.

The Challenge of Uploading Large Videos to WordPress

WordPress has a maximum file size limit that is usually determined by your web hosting provider, and can range from 2MB to 150MB. The default upload limit on WordPress is 32MB, making it impossible to upload larger files such as a 500MB video file without hassle. More than that, large videos can negatively affect your website’s loading speed, bounce rates, and SEO rankings.

Steps to Upload a Large Video to WordPress

There are several methods to upload large videos to WordPress:

1. Optimize Your Video for the Web

You can reduce the file size of your video by optimizing it for the web. Video optimization requires converting your video to a format that is web-friendly and easily readable by different devices and browsers. Online video converters like Handbrake, Compressor.io, and Clipchamp can compress the file size by up to 90% without compromising on the video quality.

2. Compress the Video File

Compression is another method of reducing the size of your video. Video compression eliminates redundant data from the video file, thus reducing the file size without affecting the video’s quality. You can use software like Handbrake, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and Compressor.io to compress the video file.

3. Use a Plugin to Upload Large Video Files in WordPress

Plugins can help increase the maximum upload size limit in WordPress, allowing you to upload large video files. Popular plugins include WP-Uploadify, WP File Upload, WordPress UploadMax, and Upload Larger Plugins. Installing and activating the plugin of your choice is all you need to do.

4. Third-Party Video Hosting Solutions

Third-party video hosting solutions like Vimeo, YouTube, and Wistia provide an option to upload large video files and share them on your website. By uploading your video to the hosting platform and embedding the video link on your WordPress website, you can avoid the upload limit restrictions.

Final Thoughts

Remember to optimize and compress your videos before uploading them to WordPress to improve your website’s speed, performance, and user experience. Whatever method you choose, make sure it fits your needs, budget, and resources.