Integrating content into your website from external sources is another piece of the SEO puzzle. These are an easy way to enrich your site without heavy coding. It also allows you to pull in content from social platforms, RSS feeds, live chats, and other websites.
This article explains what embedded content is, the benefits of using it, some popular embeddable elements, and how it can improve the user experience and improve your SEO.
What Is Content Embedding?
Integrating external content into your website is like adding flair and interactivity to spice up your own pages. Similar to featuring a guest contributor but instead of text, it's embeddable media or widgets from another platform. Through embedding, you can seamlessly incorporate videos, maps, social posts, quizzes and more directly into your site - making it more lively and engaging.
Think of embedding as blending the best features of the internet into your own web presence. Showcase a relevant YouTube clip right on your product page or allow site visitors to quickly locate your store with an embedded Google Map. Bring in tweets, images and recent stories to display real-time, user generated content from networks, cultivating community.
The power of embedding lies in tapping into existing tools and functionality rather than building from the ground up. Leverage platforms like YouTube, Spotify and Google without added development. The result is saving crucial resources while still providing a rich experience.
Instead of just reading, your audience can now play games, watch videos, explore visualizations, fill out forms and more. This extra dimension of engagement entices visitors to stick around and keep interacting with pages.
What are some common things to embed on your website?
There are many engaging elements you can integrate into your website to make it more dynamic and interactive. Let's explore some popular embeddable content.
Engaging Videos
Videos grab attention and help convey information clearly. Embed video content from YouTube, Vimeo, etc. directly onto your site. Also, product demos, tutorials, and testimonial videos can keep visitors interested and boost time spent on page.
Interactive Maps
If you're a location-based business, embed maps from Google, Apple or other mapping tools. Enable site visitors to navigate different branches, explore venues, or take virtual tours. Interactive maps provide value and make it easier for your customers to find you without needing to take an extra step of Googling you.
Social Media Feeds
Showcase real-time social media activity by embedding Twitter feeds, Facebook posts, and Instagram galleries directly onsite. This consolidates your efforts onto one platform while building up your community at the same time.
Sleek Forms
Make it easy for visitors to contact you, order products, RSVP to events and more with embedded Typeform, Google Forms or SurveyMonkey surveys. This will give you seamless integration and a professional look.
Shareable Calendars
This allows visitors to view schedules, openings or event details via embedded Google Calendars or similar tools. It’s a convenient way to showcase upcoming events or availability and make it easier for people to engage with your calendar without leaving your website.
Review Widgets
Building trust and credibility is crucial for any business, and embedding customer reviews and testimonials can help you achieve just that. Use reviews from Trustpilot, Yelp and other platforms to showcase just how great your customers think you are.
Chat Functions
Instantly connect with customers by integrating Intercom, Drift or other live chat functions. Enable real-time assistance through proactive outreach or visitor requests.
Audio Content
Share podcasts, music and more by embedding players from Spotify, Soundcloud and other audio platforms directly onsite.
How Embedding Content On Your Website Improves Your SEO
Integrating dynamic content through embedding can significantly enhance both user experience and SEO for your website.
When it comes to engagement, embedded videos, maps, posts and more add an interactive layer beyond static text and images. This gives audiences a multifaceted experience tailored to your brand. Instead of passively browsing, visitors actively explore embedded videos, animations, visualizations you've curated to fit their interests. Their journey becomes more memorable and enjoyable because of this.
Elevating user satisfaction also compounds ROI. Visitors who have an effortless navigational experience stay longer, dive deeper into your content and will want to return more often. By meeting user needs, your website signals higher authority to search engines like Google. Continuous refinement of on-site elements ultimately earns increased organic visibility.
On page optimization, embedded content lets other reputable sites reference your media via links, citations and shares. An engaging, informational video could garner backlinks as external creators highlight your asset. These earned backlinks bolster domain authority and reinforce your position as a reliable industry resource.
In essence, embedding not only intrigues visitors but also informs algorithms. Curating quality external sources keeps users invested while directing signals like backlinks back to you - together shaping a solid SEO strategy that sustains relevance. The outcome is an elevated brand presence both on-site and in search.
How to Embed On Your Site
The process of embedding content into a website is actually quite straightforward. Here are the key steps:
1. Choose what you want to embed - This could be a YouTube video, Google Map, tweets, Facebook posts, Spotify playlist, etc. Ensure the content you pick aligns with your website topic and provides value.
2. Find the embed code - Most external platforms provide an embed feature or plugin to generate a unique embed code or iframe for that piece of content. This is usually found in the "Share" or "Embed" option on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, etc.
3. Copy the embed code - Copy the entire embed code they provide. It will contain the media url, width, height and other important attributes. This small snippet of code controls displaying the content.
4. Paste into your CMS - On your own website's CMS (WordPress, Squarespace, Wix etc), simply paste the embed code into the page editor. The exact steps may vary slightly by the CMS you use, but generally this allows the embedded content to display.
5. Preview and adjust - Preview how the embedded content looks on your site. Adjust options like sizing by modifying height/width in the code as needed until it appears as desired.
That's it! And if you enjoyed this article and want more marketing focused blog posts, you can find those here.
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