How to Optimise Raw Video Files Before Uploading to Your Website

Optimising video files before uploading is crucial for fast load times, SEO, and a smooth user experience.

Large, uncompressed videos slow down sites, increasing bounce rates and negatively impacting engagement.

This guide walks you through the best free tools and step-by-step methods to compress and optimise your video files before uploading.

Step 1: Choose the Ideal Video Length

Shorter videos = Faster load times & higher engagement.
- 30–90 seconds is ideal for most website content.
- Product demos & tutorials: 1–3 minutes max.
- Background videos: 5–10 seconds, loop smoothly.
Remove unnecessary audio:
- If the video is a silent background video, removing the audio shrinks file size.

Step 2: Choose the Right File Format

The right format ensures fast loading and cross-browser compatibility:

WebM (VP9) – is the best format for web videos, offering superior compression and quality.
MP4 (H.264) – Best for universal compatibility and efficient compression.

✅ Recommendation: Convert videos to WebM (VP9) for smaller file sizes and faster loading.

Step 3: Resize and Reduce Video Resolution

Videos should be no larger than necessary for their intended display size.

Videos should be no larger than necessary for their intended display size.

Resolution	Best Use Case
1080p (1920x1080)	High-quality videos
720p (1280x720)	Great balance of quality & file size
480p (854x480)	Fastest loading, great for mobile users

🎯 Rule of Thumb: If the video won’t be fullscreen, 720p or 480p is often enough.

Step 4: Compress the Video File

Reducing video file size significantly improves page speed.

Real-World Example of File Size Reduction

Using HandBrake to compress a 1-minute 1080p MP4 video:

Original Size	Optimised Size (HandBrake, MP4 H.264)	Reduction
100MB	15MB	85%
50MB	8MB	84%
10MB	3MB	70%

💡 Impact on Load Time: A 50MB video takes 10+ seconds to load on a 3G connection, while an 8MB optimised video loads in under 2 seconds 🚀.

(Source: Google Web.dev - Video Optimization Best Practices)

Option 1: Online Compression Using CloudConvert (Recommended)

If your IT department restricts installing software, an online tool is the best solution.

🔗 CloudConvert MP4 to WebM

How to Use CloudConvert:

How to Use CloudConvert to Optimise Your Video:
1. Go to CloudConvert MP4 to WebM.
2. Click "Select File" and upload your video.
3. Under Options, set the following:
  - Video Codec: vp9 (best for compression and quality)
  - Resolution: No change (unless reducing file size, in which case choose 720p or 480p)
  - Constant Quality (CRF): 31 (balanced quality and file size)
  - Fit: Scale
  - Audio Codec: Opus
  - Audio Bitrate: 128 kbps (or remove audio if unnecessary)
4. Click "Convert" and wait for the process to complete.
5. Download the optimised video and upload it to your website.

Option 2: Desktop Compression Using HandBrake

For those able to install software, HandBrake is a powerful free tool.

How to Compress Videos Using HandBrake:

Download and install HandBrake.
Open HandBrake and import your video file.
Select a Preset:
- Fast 1080p30 (for Full HD)
- Fast 720p30 (for smaller screens)
Under the Video tab:
- Format: MP4 (H.264)
- Adjust Bitrate:
  - 1080p → 3,000 – 5,000 kbps
  - 720p → 1,500 – 3,000 kbps
Click "Start Encode" to compress the file.

🎯 Pro Tip: Lowering the bitrate will reduce file size but can affect quality. Test different settings to find the best balance.

Step 5: Remove Unnecessary Audio

If your video does not need sound, removing the audio can further reduce file size.

How to Remove Audio Using CloudConvert

Go to CloudConvert MP4 to WebM.
Upload your video.
Click "Options" and select "Remove Audio".
Convert and download the file.

How to Remove Audio Using HandBrake

Open HandBrake and import your video.
Click on the Audio tab.
Click the X to remove the audio track.
Click Start Encode to save the video without sound.

Best Practices for Web Videos

✅ Keep videos short – Aim for 30–90 seconds.
✅ Use HandBrake – Resize and compress files before uploading.
✅ Choose the right resolution – 720p or 1080p works best.
✅ Remove unnecessary audio – Saves file size & load time.
✅ Don’t upload huge files – Optimised videos load 5x faster!