- So, throughout this chapter, I've been talking about media elements rather than just images. That's because through the Add Media button, you can add any media element you want. Images, documents, PDFs, and audio and video files. And if you add an audio or video file, WordPress will even set up an audio or video player automatically so your visitors can enjoy them. Now you know this, I'm going to tell you that when it comes to audio and video, it's rarely a good idea to upload the files directly to WordPress.
You're better off using a dedicated service like YouTube or Vimeo or VideoPress or Brightcove or SoundCloud, or any of the other myriad of other rich hosting media services on the web. There's a simple reason for this. Unlike images and documents, audio and video files are huge, and put an enormous strain on your server. If more than a couple of people are downloading those files at the same time, your server might be in big trouble. There's also the issue of file support.
Different browsers require different types of video encoding, meaning if you want your video to be available to all users, you need to have it in at least three different file formats. It simply is not worth the effort. So, if you plan on adding audio or video to your sites, in almost every case, you should use a third party service like YouTube, Vimeo, SoundCloud, or one of the private options. Speaking for myself, the only time I've ever used the native WordPress video hosting solution was when we built a custom player that was not connected to the Internet, and that was only displayed on one single computer.
In all other cases, I've used a third party service. By using one of these services, you get the best possible streaming speeds and quality. You don't have to worry about compatibility or server loads, and you also get viral sharing through the service. if you are looking for private hosting, you can get that too, and restrict viewership to only those who should be able to access your content. The web has solutions for all scenarios and WordPress can support them all. Just don't upload your audio and video files directly.
Author
Updated
6/11/2018Released
8/17/2015Note: This course covers an older version of WordPress, which features the Classic Editor. Watch this course only if you are using the Classic Editor plugin or using WordPress 4.9 or earlier. Otherwise, watch WordPress 5 Essential Training, which covers the new Block Editor experience.
- Creating posts and pages
- Formatting text
- Publishing and scheduling posts
- Adding images, audio, and video
- Bulk editing posts and pages
- Customizing themes and menus
- Using widgets
- Extending WordPress with plugins
- Editing users profiles
- Configuring settings
- Getting new readers
- Keeping WordPress up to date and secure
Skill Level Beginner
Duration
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Related Courses
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 30s
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What's new in 4.7?1m 45s
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1. Getting to Know WordPress
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What is WordPress?3m 30s
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2. Getting Started
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How WordPress works2m 34s
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Using the WordPress toolbar3m 28s
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3. Creating Posts
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Understanding posts1m 59s
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Posts vs. pages in WordPress2m 19s
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Creating a new post1m 38s
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Creating and editing links5m 37s
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Using categories and tags6m 10s
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Using revisions3m 30s
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Using post formats3m 52s
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4. Adding Images and Media
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Creating image galleries5m 30s
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Using featured images3m 44s
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Working with audio and video2m 18s
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5. Creating Pages
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When to use pages1m 59s
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Creating a page2m 4s
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Using page templates2m 10s
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6. Managing Content
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Navigating the admin panel4m 25s
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Using the Media Grid5m 11s
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Using attachment pages5m 44s
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7. Changing the Appearance of Your Site
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Introducing the Customizer7m 15s
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Customizing your theme8m 33s
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Using widgets6m 44s
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8. Extending WordPress with Plugins
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9. Users and User Profiles
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How WordPress handles users1m 34s
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Editing your user profile7m 42s
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Adding and managing users5m 33s
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10. Configuring Settings
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11. Getting, and Interacting with, Readers
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12. WordPress: Behind the Curtain
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13. Maintenance and Security
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Keeping up to date6m 59s
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14. Diving Further into the World of WordPress
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Going further with WordPress2m 29s
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Video: Working with audio and video