New to HTML5/CSS3 etc...

[d88co88]

Hi, I'm a beginning website designer and I'm new to HTML5 and CSS3 and those kinds of things. What I'm looking at trying to do is have an intro video be played and kind of "cross fade" or have some transition into the actual website instead of forwarding to a new page like it does now. Is this even possible without the use of flash? Sorry if these are noobish/stupid questions, but thank you for your time!

 

[Darth.Titan]

Nobody likes intro videos on a website. They're annoying and drive away visitors.

Just say no.

 

[MrSpyguy]

Well, it's not that easy I think. I always thought it makes no sense because I think they are super annoying and make me click the back button instantly. But just because we think it is annoying does not mean everybody elese thinks the same. I did a little testing and I found out that 80% of all visitors were staying 2,5 times longer. The other 20% quit instantly. This is no general rule or something. It just shows that in some cases and on some websites it may make a lot of sense. See also this source about that.

 

[d88co88]

Nobody likes intro videos on a website. They're annoying and drive away visitors.

Just say no.

This isn't an annoying one, and its about 9 seconds long I think. All it does is make the website look a bit more professional. I do, however, know what you are talking about because some of the videos are just plain annoying!!

 

[tobr]

"make the website look a bit more professional" is not a good reason to put a video there, just saying.

What you want to do should be possible with Javascript or CSS transitions, but you'll probably need to overlay the video page on top of the next page rather than actually go to a new url. If you want to time it all so it automatically transitions when the video is done playing, that will be a lot more difficult.

 

[bpaluzzi]

This isn't an annoying one, and its about 9 seconds long I think. All it does is make the website look a bit more professional. I do, however, know what you are talking about because some of the videos are just plain annoying!!

Every site owner that puts a video up thinks that. Do you really think someone thinks "This video is annoying, but I'm going to put it up anyway"? Every owner thinks that their video is somehow different, and that the users really want to see it.

They don't. Ever.

 

[d88co88]

"make the website look a bit more professional" is not a good reason to put a video there, just saying.

What you want to do should be possible with Javascript or CSS transitions, but you'll probably need to overlay the video page on top of the next page rather than actually go to a new url. If you want to time it all so it automatically transitions when the video is done playing, that will be a lot more difficult.

That's not the actual reason of putting it there. The website is for a loan officer, and the video is supposed to help show that she is dedicated to each thing she does and that she does more than just give you a loan. But thank you for the answer, I'm still learning all of this so that probably won't be able to happen right now. Thanks again!

Every site owner that puts a video up thinks that. Do you really think someone thinks "This video is annoying, but I'm going to put it up anyway"? Every owner thinks that their video is somehow different, and that the users really want to see it.

They don't. Ever.

Read what I said above. This loan officer took a class for website marketing and a "landing page" with a video is something they recommended. Don't get me wrong, I don't like it very much but it's better than some of the more annoying ones out there and I think it helps get the message across a little more. I'm not the decision maker here, and neither are you. All I asked for is how to do add a transitiony-type thing and all you gave me was criticism that I don't need.

 

[bpaluzzi]

and all you gave me was criticism that I don't need.

Then don't come on and ask people who know what they're doing. It's a bad idea. It's about the worst thing you can do for SEO or marketing. And in general, it's just a horrible user experience.

 

[ombrenelcielo]

Hi, I'm a beginning website designer and I'm new to HTML5 and CSS3 and those kinds of things. What I'm looking at trying to do is have an intro video be played and kind of "cross fade" or have some transition into the actual website instead of forwarding to a new page like it does now. Is this even possible without the use of flash? Sorry if these are noobish/stupid questions, but thank you for your time!

You should avoid intro videos or let the user choose to proceed to the website.
Those are only useful to drive away visitors if you are not really into the video industry (=video is what you sell and do for living).

 

[d88co88]

Then don't come on and ask people who know what they're doing. It's a bad idea. It's about the worst thing you can do for SEO or marketing. And in general, it's just a horrible user experience.

I wasn't asking for an opinion, just how to add a transition! And as you seem to you know what you're doing, what is a better way to achieve what the goal of this video is trying to do? She must've taken a bad marketing class then.

You should avoid intro videos or let the user choose to proceed to the website.
Those are only useful to drive away visitors if you are not really into the video industry (=video is what you sell and do for living).

There is a link to bypass the video. I don't see why the video would be a bad idea if you have that option!

 

[bpaluzzi]

I wasn't asking for an opinion, just how to add a transition! And as you seem to you know what you're doing, what is a better way to achieve what the goal of this video is trying to do? She must've taken a bad marketing class then.

Well-written copy, with an optional (click-to-start) video on the actual home page. Splash pages (video or otherwise) don't achieve the goals that you're trying to meet. The teacher of the marketing class clearly has no business teaching. Unless the class was taught in 2001 ;-)

 

[53buick]

Every site owner that puts a video up thinks that. Do you really think someone thinks "This video is annoying, but I'm going to put it up anyway"? Every owner thinks that their video is somehow different, and that the users really want to see it.

They don't. Ever.

In general no, but a quick opening trailer or demo reel for a filmmaker's or movie's website would be a time when i think it works.

by the way, the original poster wasn't asking for artistic/marketing critique on whether to put a video on the opening page or not, but rather simply a technical question about how to go about it.

 

[bpaluzzi]

In general no, but a quick opening trailer or demo reel for a filmmaker's or movie's website would be a time when i think it works.

by the way, the original poster wasn't asking for artistic/marketing critique on whether to put a video on the opening page or not, but rather simply a technical question about how to go about it.

No. Even in those instances, it's annoying, arrogant and amateurish. If people want to watch a video, they'll press the play button. Same with background music. There's a reason the entire web has moved away from that type of site design. The user is in control of the user experience, not the web designer. With the move to mobile web + capped data plans, it's even more of a bad idea.

The OP (who admittedly knows nothing about web design) asked how to do something that is a bad idea. The experienced members of the site told him it's a bad idea. That's the correct response. Just like if a first-time visitor to a home-repair forum asks how to do something that is obviously a bad idea. It's up to the more experienced members to share the knowledge that it's not a good idea to continue down that road.

 

[d88co88]

by the way, the original poster wasn't asking for artistic/marketing critique on whether to put a video on the opening page or not, but rather simply a technical question about how to go about it.

Thank you!

Well-written copy, with an optional (click-to-start) video on the actual home page. Splash pages (video or otherwise) don't achieve the goals that you're trying to meet. The teacher of the marketing class clearly has no business teaching. Unless the class was taught in 2001 ;-)

The OP (who admittedly knows nothing about web design) asked how to do something that is a bad idea. The experienced members of the site told him it's a bad idea. That's the correct response. Just like if a first-time visitor to a home-repair forum asks how to do something that is obviously a bad idea. It's up to the more experienced members to share the knowledge that it's not a good idea to continue down that road.

The class was taught at the beginning of this year. I will actually use that first idea! It's also not that I know nothing about it, I'm just clueless when it comes to adding transitions to a video which is apparently harder than I had thought it would be. Does that mean I know nothing about web design? And no, it isn't the correct response. I did ask how to do add a transition, and I've gotten one answer on that. The rest was criticism on, "Oh, intro videos are terrible and I'm just going to criticize you on what you don't know." You can't learn something without trying it first. And I would like to learn how to do this just in general!

 

[driftless]

You may not have been asking for an opinion but it would be in your best interest to think about the advice that you have been given. It is good advice and it was given to help you. Stubbornness and single-minded focus only works for the truly gifted, not the clueless.

 

[d88co88]

You may not have been asking for an opinion but it would be in your best interest to think about the advice that you have been given. It is good advice and it was given to help you. Stubbornness and single-minded focus only works for the truly gifted, not the clueless.

I have thought about the advice, did you not read the above posts? I'm NOT the decision maker here, I was just told to put the video on! I will be doing something like bpaluzzi suggested, so I am taking the advice.

 

[newagemac]

I wasn't asking for an opinion, just how to add a transition! And as you seem to you know what you're doing, what is a better way to achieve what the goal of this video is trying to do? She must've taken a bad marketing class then.



There is a link to bypass the video. I don't see why the video would be a bad idea if you have that option!

Hmm, maybe MacRumors should add an intro video explaining how they are the best Apple related rumors site so that every time you come to this site you see the video. As long as they provide a link to bypass the video as an option, it shouldn't be a problem right? As long as it's "professional" there's no better way to achieve the goal of the video.

/s

 

[Mikey7c8]

edit: read other posts

 

[d88co88]

Hmm, maybe MacRumors should add an intro video explaining how they are the best Apple related rumors site so that every time you come to this site you see the video. As long as they provide a link to bypass the video as an option, it shouldn't be a problem right? As long as it's "professional" there's no better way to achieve the goal of the video.

/s

I get why the others were trying to give constructive criticism, but this? Really? Immature.

edit: read other posts

Thank you!

 

[lucasgladding]

d88co88: Have you gotten an answer from anyone yet? I haven't seen a technical response on the thread, so I'll add one in case nobody has responded privately. jPlayer has an "ended" callback where you could fade the video and do whatever else you need to display the homepage. The best action depends on the design, so I can't say much more without an idea about that. How similar is the landing page is to the main page? Note: which player you're planning to use also effects the solution.

For the record, I don't like splash pages with videos either, but I recognize that clients are the ones who make the decisions. That said, I do recommend discussing the video with them. It took me some time before I was confident enough to discuss decisions with clients. As long as they know they have the final say, it adds value to the relationship. Perhaps you already have discussed the drawbacks with them.

The clients you want are the ones who trust your expertise. They're easier to work with, and your experience will be more rewarding.

 

[bpaluzzi]

The clients you want are the ones who trust your expertise. They're easier to work with, and your experience will be more rewarding.

+1000 on this. If you want me to do work for you, it's because of the experience and expertise I bring to the equation. If you're constantly challenging/ignoring that experience, I don't need you as a client.

 

[John444]

I am not sure how to add a transition, however you could have a webpage with the video on it as your homepage by naming it index.html, then have the webpage automatically go to your website after the video using a javascript timeout. I will not write the actual code for this, but I am sure with this you can figure it out using google searches. Hint, you can use the <object> tag to play the video.

Hope this helps!

 

[thinkpatience]

Well, it's not that easy I think. I always thought it makes no sense because I think they are super annoying and make me click the back button instantly. But just because we think it is annoying does not mean everybody elese thinks the same. I did a little testing and I found out that 80% of all visitors were staying 2,5 times longer. The other 20% quit instantly. This is no general rule or something. It just shows that in some cases and on some websites it may make a lot of sense!

Malarkey!

 

[newmanbrown]

Hey,

Yes its possible without the use of flash. HTML5 helps you to put up a video without the need to embed it.

Anyway make sure that the video is short so as not to drive the viewers away.

 

[Topher15]

I will actually use that first idea!

Good idea. With a splash page most will probably click straight pass it and go to the main site (thus rendering it pointless - just another bridge for the user to cross). Others will just click off the site altogether, especially if they have a slow connection or computer or are using a mobile device.