Users discover Squarespace as a user-friendly solution that enables them to build attractive business websites smoothly. Squarespace provides multiple features including video embedment alongside customization functions. This guide demonstrates how to make horizontal video squarespace through step-by-step instructions.
Understanding Video Orientation: Why Horizontal?
The following explanation defines the benefits of using horizontal video formats:
Websites together with screen spaces are optimized for horizontal viewing.
Visual storytelling improves when video content is displayed horizontally since it offers wider frames to the viewer.
Horizontal videos maintain optimal performance on all main device platforms as well as desktops and TVs.
A majority of contemporary horizontal video presentations adopt the 16:9 aspect ratio.
Most people using horizontal videos should choose the 16:9 aspect ratio because it provides the optimal viewing quality.
2. Use a Video Editing Software
Several accessible video editing applications exist for making horizontal videos:
Adobe Premiere Pro
Final Cut Pro
DaVinci Resolve
iMovie
Canva (for simple edits)
3. Exporting the Video
Recommended settings for exporting:
Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD) or 3840×2160 (4K)
Frame rate: 30fps or 60fps
Format: MP4 (H.264 codec for web compatibility)
Bitrate: At least 10 Mbps for HD, 30 Mbps for 4K
Step 2: Uploading Your Video to a Hosting Platform
Users require an outside hosting provider to upload videos through Squarespace themes since video uploads are disabled on the platform. The most common choices are:
YouTube (Best for SEO and discoverability)
Vimeo functions as the optimal selection when users need professional tools and want to customize their content.
Wistia (Great for marketing and analytics)
Uploading Your Video
YouTube
Go to YouTube and sign in.
Click on the upload button.
Select your horizontal video file.
Set your preferred title together with the description and thumbnail selection.
Set privacy settings (public, unlisted, or private).
After publishing the video you can find its URL on the screen to copy.
Vimeo
Log in to your Vimeo account.
Press Upload to pick your file from your computer.
Configure the privacy settings.
Save your video content and proceed to copy either the URL link or embed code from the system.
Wistia
Upload your videos
Adjust customization settings.
Copy the embed code.
Step 3: Embedding Horizontal Videos on Squarespace
1: Using the Video Block
Access your how to make horizontal video squarespace website through your login page before starting the website editor.
Select the page on which you want to include the video before proceeding.
Access the Edit Page and choose the preferred Section.
From the available options choose Video Block then select the necessary Video Block type.
Insert the linked Video URL which belongs to YouTube Vimeo or Wistia.
Click Apply and save changes.
2: Using the Embed Block
When requiring advanced modification, swap to the Embed Block instead of using the Video Block.
Enter page edit mode on your desired location.
Choose Embed from the Add Block options.
Select the iframe embed code from YouTube Vimeo or Wistia.
Use the embed block to insert the content followed by changes application.
3: Customizing the Video with Code
Advanced users gain full video placement and styling control through their implementation of custom CSS and JavaScript code.
Add an Embed Block.
Create adjustments for the block dimensions when necessary.
Step 4: Adjusting Video Display for Responsive Design
After embedding the video check that it displays correctly on every device type. Here’s how:
Enable Responsive Sizing
You can customize video responsiveness by using CSS after Squarespace themes establish automatic responsiveness.
Test on Different Devices
The preview mode feature in how to make horizontal video squarespace themes shows your video presentation both on mobile devices and desktop screens.
Adjust sizing accordingly.
The final process in video optimization focuses on Search Engine Optimization together with optimized performance.
The following guidelines will help boost your website speed and SEO performance:
Add Descriptive Titles and Captions
The video title along with its captions should include relevant search terms.
Use Lazy Loading
When you apply lazy loading to your website content videos will only begin loading when viewers can see them onscreen which optimizes website speed.
Optimize Thumbnails
Make your attractive thumbnail design with optimal visual presentation.
Host Video on a CDN
When implementing self-hosted solutions you should explore the use of CDN technology to enhance video loading speed.
Can You Edit Videos in Squarespace?
People mostly recognize how to make horizontal video squarespace for its website-building tools that let them design and handle online material through connected features. Users can access some video-related functions yet Squarespace themes provide restricted capabilities in video editing. The following list explains the complete capabilities and restrictions of working with videos in Squarespace.
Video Features in Squarespace
1. Uploading and Embedding Videos
Within Squarespace themes, users can embed videos to their sites through three main methods including YouTube Vimeo, and Wistia.
Users can embed videos using either Wistia Vimeo or YouTube.
Users achieve external video embedding by entering platform URLs.
The video shows on your website although it maintains its original hosting location.
Users possessing Squarespace Business & Commerce plans have access to the capability of uploading Video Files.
Owners who utilize Squarespace Business & Commerce plans possess the capability to upload .mp4 format videos which the platform will host.
Videos that are uploaded to the platform do not show advertisements also do not display platform branding.
Background Videos
The platform allows web page section backgrounds to use video content.
Videos automatically repeat as backdrops without any audio within the website pages.
Each video requires less than one-minute duration and should focus on optimal performance when created.
2. Built-in Video Editing Capabilities
Customers who use the web-based platform Squarespace themes lack professional video editing software features found in Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. Websites have fundamental options to customize videos after their addition according to this platform.
Trimming and Looping
The platform allows users to cut background video clips into acceptable durations for its specifications.
The background video feature runs continuously until the visitor leaves the webpage.
Adjusting Playback Settings
Web users possess control to activate or block the automatic playback function.
All background videos operate silently because there exists no method to activate audio in Squarespace templates.
Adding Captions and Overlays
Through the Squarespace templates editor, users can enter video text information that serves as descriptions.
When visitors activate Lightbox mode they can view videos inside a separate pop-up window.
Customizing the Video Player Appearance
When embedding videos from YouTube or Vimeo viewers maintain their native player functions.
Uploaded videos on Squarespace templates use a minimal viewing interface without displaying ads.
3. Video Editing via Squarespace Video Studio App
How to make horizontal video squarespace Studio serves as an application for enhanced video editing through iOS and Android systems. This app allows:
Users can undergo basic video editing operations which include trimming, adding text along branding features.
Users can produce videos through pre-made templates in the system.
Voiceover recording and background music integration.
Direct publishing to a Squarespace website
The Squarespace templates Video Studio app works as a beneficial tool for content creators yet it needs additional editing options that would include multi-track editing, color grading, and motion graphics.
4. Alternatives for Editing Videos Before Uploading to Squarespace
Users edit their videos externally with different programs because Squarespace provides minimal video editing capabilities.
Adobe Premiere Pro functions as a highly professional tool for video editing needs.
Final Cut Pro – Ideal for Mac users.
Squarespace users benefit from DaVinci Resolve because the software delivers advanced color grading features.
Canva Video Editor functions as an online application that permits users to combine text with visual effects.
Users can easily edit videos through the mobile editing applications CapCut and InShot.
1. Cinematic Showcase
Description:
Cinematic Showcase serves as an elegant modern template from Squarespace that provides professional хorizontal video presentation for filmmakers videographers and content producers. Your content will appear beautiful on any device because this template implements a broad homepage video banner alongside interactive portfolio elements and responsive video galleries.
Key Features:
Full-screen horizontal video support
Drag-and-drop video gallery with autoplay options
The template features areas that allow users to modify their portfolios alongside their services and their client testimonials
An optimal design with mobile compatibility allows quick page loading times.
Integrated social media and YouTube/Vimeo embeds
Squarespace Templates Video Production serves travel vloggers and video production agencies together with cinematographers as it helps them display their work with premium style and impact.
2. Visual Storyteller
Description:
Visual Storyteller represents a Squarespace dynamic template made specifically for creative users who need to display their horizontal video content engagingly. This template displays video thumbnails through a grid layout system and adds fluid transition effects between pages while offering an intuitive menu system that suits documentary and lifestyle content as well as video portfolio demonstrations.
Key Features:
Grid-based video display for easy browsing
The homepage provides customization options that allow users to feature horizontal video sections.
Users can personalize their interface through the theme selection between light and dark options.
Seamless integration with Squarespace’s video blocks
The template offers integrated SEO optimization tools together with video metadata management functions
FAQs
Is it possible to directly upload horizontal videos to Squarespace?
Video uploads through Squarespace templates are not possible for users since the platform does not support such functionality. The video needs to be uploaded to YouTube Vimeo or Wistia before your website can display it through an embedded format.
What process enables me to add a horizontal video successfully to Squarespace?
The process to embed a horizontal video includes these steps:
Your video belongs to YouTube Vimeo or Wistia for the upload process.
Retrieve either the video link with the URL or the embed code.
When working on your Squarespace page you should use either a Video Block or Embed Block.
Insert either the URL or embed code into the designated block.
Why does my video appear blurry when displayed on Squarespace?
The video shows poor clarity because of the following reasons:
Your video needs to have a minimum resolution of 1080p which corresponds to 1920×1080 pixels.
Users should upload videos to hosting platforms like Vimeo and YouTube using high-resolution files because both services automatically compress uploaded content.
An incorrect ratio of 16:9 will help prevent image distortion.
Should I be able to add both text and buttons on top of my video?
Users have two options to position text layers or buttons on top of video content.
Banner Sections: Add a video background and overlay text inside the section.
The text block should sit above the video by placing it in the page editor area of Grid Layouts.
Absolute positioning enables customization for placing text on top of the video through custom CSS.
Why does my embedded video fail to display in full width on the page?
Squarespace shows videos in restricted width unless a specific configuration is applied. Users should follow these steps to extend their video content across an entire page width:
You should utilize a full-width section by inserting the video block as its main element.
Users should modify the design parameters within the site editing interface.
Static CSS functions as a tool to force the video display across the full width.
Can you guide me on adding my thumbnail to the beginning of the video?
Before obtaining embed links for YouTube videos you need to establish custom thumbnails in YouTube Studio first.
In Vimeo, you need to upload your thumbnail by accessing Video Settings.
Squarespace users who want to set a poster image for their Video Block need to refer to the Video Block settings of selected templates.
What causes my video to show black sections as part of its display?
The video shows black borders when the aspect ratio is different from the holding container size. To fix this:
The video resolution should be set to 1920×1080 at 16:9 aspect for standard horizontal screen display.
Edit the video length through editing software before publishing it online.
The video dimensions can be modified through Custom CSS.
Is it possible to insert either a YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reel as mobile-friendly horizontal content?
Short-form videos are usually vertical. Convert them to horizontal using:
Premiere Pro or CapCut serves as an appropriate video editing tool to implement side padding.
I choose to upload my video content in landscape format on YouTube instead of creating regular short videos.
How come my embedded video fails to play on mobile devices?
Possible reasons:
The video playback plays automatically while making noise until you turn on the volume reduction to address the problem.
You need to open the mobile view first before accessing the video which resides in a secret section.
The embed URL requires adjustment of its playback restrictions which can be reviewed on YouTube and Vimeo configuration pages.
Conclusion
The process of how to make horizontal video squarespace website becomes straightforward with the correct implementation of steps. The delivery of high-quality content to your audience depends on every step of making and embedding videos that end up displaying correctly. This guide provides the steps to make your videos look attractive and operate efficiently regardless of device or platform which improves user interactions on Squarespace websites.