Videos on your links page: how to use them without slowing it down or distracting

A video can do in thirty seconds what takes hundreds of words: show how you work, what your music sounds like, what your venue is like or who you are. But it can also be what slows your page, distracts from what matters or makes the visitor leave without tapping anything. The question is not whether to put a video, but when it adds something and how to integrate it so that it helps rather than gets in the way.

When a video helps

A video adds value when it shows something that text and images cannot convey as effectively:

• A personal introduction. For trust-based services (therapy, coaching, consulting), seeing and hearing the person shortens the distance.
• A demonstration. How a product works, how a template is used, what is learned in a course.
• A live set or a performance. For musicians, comedians and performing artists, it is the best business card.
• A tour. A venue, a workshop, a space.
• A testimonial. A real customer telling their experience convinces more than text.

If the video adds nothing that could not be said with a sentence and a photo, it is better to leave it out.

What video link types Zona supports

Among its link types, Zona includes a video one, with YouTube, Vimeo or TikTok. That means you do not upload the file to your page, but link one hosted on those platforms. It is an advantage: the platform takes care of storage, loading and playback adapted to the device. To see all available link types, see the links page.

Which one to put and where

The general rule: one main video, well chosen, not a collection. Pick the one that best answers the visitor's question ("who is this person and what do they do?"). Place it:

• At the top, if it is what converts most (for example, an introduction for a consultancy).
• Below the main link, if the main goal is another action (buying, booking) and the video supports the decision.

Avoid the video pushing the main link down: the first phone screen should still show your most important action.

Length and structure

On a links page, the short video wins:

• Between thirty seconds and two minutes is usually a good range for an introduction.
• Start with what matters. The first five seconds decide whether people keep watching.
• One single idea. A video that tries to tell everything tells nothing.
• End with an action: "Book your first session with the button below".

If you need more time, link a long video as secondary content ("Watch the full talk").

Captions and sound

Many users watch videos without sound, on transport, at work or out of habit. A video without captions loses that audience, and people with hearing impairments. Add captions, or at least on-screen text with the key ideas. The guide on accessibility includes more on this point.

Weight and loading

Videos are the heaviest element on a page. By linking to a platform, you avoid loading the file, but it is wise to check that the page does not slow down and that the player works well on a normal mobile connection. Test the page on mobile data, not only on wifi. If loading is slow, a link to the video (instead of embedding it) may be a better option.

The thumbnail matters

The image shown before playing decides whether someone taps. Choose a sharp thumbnail, with a face or a clear element, and avoid blurry captures or ones caught mid-gesture. If you can, add a short, clear title. A well-cared-for thumbnail weighs as much as the video itself.

Rights and privacy

Check that you have rights over everything that appears: music, images, people. If clients or minors appear, you need their consent (or their guardians'). Music with reserved rights can cause the platform to block or mute the video. The rules of each platform and country vary; check the applicable conditions.

Measure whether it works

After adding a video, watch whether the clicks on your main button change. Apply the method for testing changes: compare equivalent periods before and after. A video that raises visits to the video platform but reduces clicks on your booking button does not help you. Zona's free plan shows 7 days of analytics; Pro and Business, up to 90. To test it with your content, create your zone for free.

Common mistakes

• Putting several videos instead of one.
• A long video without captions.
• A blurry thumbnail.
• The video pushing the main button away.
• Using music without rights.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload a video directly to my page?

Zona lets you link videos from YouTube, Vimeo or TikTok. Host the file on one of those platforms and link it.

How long should my introduction video be?

Between thirty seconds and two minutes usually works well.

Does a video improve sales?

It can, if it answers a doubt that holds back the decision. Measure it rather than assume it.

Should I put the video before the main button?

Only if the video is what converts most. In general, the main button should stay visible without scrolling.