Embed Meaningful Elements into your Website

You have probably noticed a new trend in websites: embedded video content. This is very popular now, and fortunately, easy to install into your existing website. What I like about it is that it creates meaningful animation with a purpose. It is not like inserting flash animation just to have animation. Embedded video adds value, and has purpose. Whether it is a customer testimonial, tour of your product, interview with employees, discussions of your product or service details, interviews with key employees, these embedded videos can sometimes communicate a message more passionately and more easily than text.

Probably the easiest way is to upload your video to YouTube (www.youtube.com). Once your video is there, you can copy some text they provide and paste the text into your website page. When a user visits your webpage, they will see a still-frame and a play button. The video will play right inside of your site, but is being streamed by the powerful youtube.com server farm.

Another embedded item that is easy to install is a live, scrollable map, with satellite imagery and driving directions. One of the easiest ways is to simply visit Google Maps (maps.google.com), and enter in a street address. You will see a *Link to this Page* hyperlink. Click it, and then copy the text in the Embed box and paste it into your webpage. Next time a visitor opens your webpage, they will see this live map, live traffic conditions button, satellite mode button, and driving directions links. If you need help, feel free to ask our developers.