Webflow is a fantastic tool for designing sleek, responsive websites, but it does have some limitations when it comes to video hosting. With a maximum file size of 10MB for single-file uploads and 30MB for background videos, it’s often necessary to turn to external hosting services like Microsoft Azure to embed larger, high-quality videos. This guide will walk you through the process of embedding large videos hosted on Azure into your Webflow project, making it ideal for corporate-level LMS (Learning Management Systems) or other video-heavy platforms.
Why Use Azure for Video Hosting in Webflow?
Webflow’s built-in video hosting capabilities cap out at 720p resolution and are limited to file sizes of 10MB for uploads or 30MB for background videos. For enterprises looking to host large, high-resolution video files in Webflow, external cloud storage solutions like Microsoft Azure offer an ideal workaround. Azure provides scalable storage and robust CDN (Content Delivery Network) capabilities, ensuring smooth video playback across devices and locations without compromising quality.
Using Azure, you can host videos far exceeding Webflow’s size limitations while ensuring fast load times and smooth delivery, essential for corporate websites, LMS platforms, or any Webflow project needing to manage large video libraries.
Step-by-Step Guide: Embedding Azure-Hosted Videos into Webflow
Step 1: Optimize Your Video for the Web
Before uploading to Azure, compress and optimize your video to reduce file size without sacrificing too much quality. This will improve streaming performance and reduce load times for users.
File Format: MP4 is recommended as it's widely supported across modern browsers.
Compression Tools: Use tools like Adobe Premiere, Handbrake, or online services to compress the video while maintaining visual quality.
Step 2: Upload the Video to Microsoft Azure
Log into Azure Portal: Head to the Azure portal (https://portal.azure.com) and log into your account.
Create a Storage Account: If you don't have one, create a new Azure Storage Account by navigating to "Storage Accounts" and clicking on "Create."
Upload the Video to Blob Storage:
Under your Storage Account, go to "Blob Containers."
Create a new container or select an existing one.
Click “Upload” and select your video file.
Azure Blob Storage provides a secure and scalable way to store large media files. You can configure different access levels depending on your needs, such as public read access or private access with shared keys.
Step 3: Generate the Video URL
Once the video is uploaded:
Locate the File: In the Blob Container, locate your uploaded video.
Copy the URL: Right-click the file and select "Copy URL." This is the direct link you’ll use to embed the video in your Webflow project.
Step 4: Embed the Video in Webflow
Now that you have the video hosted on Azure, it’s time to embed it in your Webflow project.
Open Your Webflow Project: Log into your Webflow account and open the project where you want to embed the video.
Add an Embed Element: Drag and drop the “Embed” component from the Webflow Editor’s Add panel (located on the left).
Paste the Video Embed Code:
<video autoplay muted loop controls width="100%" height="100%">
<source src="{VIDEO_URL}" type="video/mp4">
</video>Replace the URL: Replace
{VIDEO_URL}with the URL you copied from Azure Blob Storage.
Step 5: Configure Video Settings
Customize your video settings based on your preferences:
Autoplay: Automatically plays the video when the page loads.
Loop: Repeats the video after it ends.
Mute: Ensure videos are muted by default for autoplay to work on most browsers.
Controls: Provide users with the ability to play, pause, or adjust the volume.
Step 6: Test Your Embed
Before publishing, preview your Webflow project to ensure that the video is displaying correctly and functions as expected across different browsers and devices. You can also test the video on slower connections to ensure it loads promptly, thanks to Azure’s global CDN.
Step 7: Publish Your Webflow Site
Once everything looks good, click “Publish” to make the video live on your Webflow site.
Benefits of Using Azure for Webflow Video Hosting
Unlimited Video File Sizes: Azure Blob Storage removes the constraints imposed by Webflow’s file size limits, allowing you to host videos of any size and resolution.
Fast Streaming with Azure CDN: Azure’s global CDN ensures that your videos load quickly for users across different regions, optimizing playback speed and reducing buffering times.
Enterprise-Grade Security: Azure provides encryption, private access settings, and detailed logging, which are crucial for enterprise clients who handle sensitive data.
CMS compatibility: even though there is no native CMS integration within Webflow and Azure, it's possible to include videos hosted via Azure Blog as part of CMS items using a custom configuration.
Final Thoughts
Embedding videos hosted on Microsoft Azure into your Webflow site is a straightforward process that provides several benefits, including overcoming Webflow’s file size limitations and ensuring fast, reliable video playback. By following the steps outlined above, you can seamlessly integrate large videos into your project, delivering a high-quality experience for your users.
For enterprises relying on Webflow, Azure offers the ideal combination of flexibility, scalability, and security, making it easier to manage video content on a large scale. Whether you're building an LMS, creating a private video library, or adding rich media to your corporate site, Azure can meet the demand for hosting and streaming large video files efficiently.
If you need further assistance with setting up Azure-hosted videos on your Webflow site, our team at Cerulean Studio is here to help. We specialize in Webflow integrations and are a Microsoft Azure AI Cloud Certified Partner. Contact us today to learn more!
