WebM-videos: Advantages and disadvantages for your website

Choosing the right video format impacts both the user experience and website performance, including SEO, as faster load times can improve search engine rankings. But what does this mean for your website, and when should you consider using WebM? In this article, we’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of WebM and help you determine if it’s the right choice for your audience.

Advantages of using WebM on websites

1. Efficient compression and high quality

WebM is designed to deliver good video quality, even at lower file sizes. This makes it an ideal choice if you’re looking for faster load times and a great visual experience for users. WebM can often reduce file size by up to 20-30% compared to traditional formats like MP4, without compromising video quality. This is a particular advantage for websites with a lot of video-based content, such as product presentations, tutorials, or event recordings.

2. Free and open source

As a completely free, open-source format, WebM is accessible to everyone, regardless of budget. This makes it a competitive alternative to commercial formats like MP4.

3. Improved support in modern browsers

With updates like Safari’s full support starting from version 14.1 (for macOS Big Sur and later), WebM is now compatible with most major browsers. This means that your WebM video can be viewed seamlessly by users with up-to-date devices and browsers.

4. Better experience on newer devices

If your target audience primarily uses updated devices and browsers, WebM can be a smart choice, as they will benefit from the improved quality and faster load times.

Example of file size difference with WebM

When choosing WebM as a video format, you can often achieve a significant reduction in file size without losing quality. For example, a 5-minute video in 1080p will typically be around 25-30 MB in WebM format, whereas the same video in MP4 (H.264) might take up around 35-40 MB. This is because WebM’s VP9 compression requires a lower bitrate than MP4 to achieve the same visual quality. On websites with extensive video content, this difference can significantly reduce overall load times and improve the user experience, especially for visitors with fast internet connections and modern devices.

Disadvantages of using WebM on websites

1. Compatibility issues on older devices

While WebM has made great strides, the format is still not fully supported on all older devices and browsers, such as Internet Explorer and older versions of mobile browsers. Users with these outdated browsers may experience playback issues, which can negatively impact their experience.

2. Limited support in certain design tools

For users of design tools like Elementor (which we primarily use for our websites), it may be necessary to check how WebM videos function within the tool. Since it can be challenging to offer fallback options directly in Elementor, we always test functionality across devices and browsers to ensure a good user experience for everyone.

When should you choose WebM?

If your target audience consists of users with updated computers and browsers, and you want a modern video experience with smaller file sizes, WebM can be a good solution. For example, if your website caters to professionals with up-to-date devices, WebM is an ideal choice. However, for older devices, it may be necessary to have an alternative format available.

Is WebM the right choice for you?

Choosing the right video format for your website is about balancing quality, compatibility, and the needs of your audience. WebM can be a strong choice if your target audience primarily uses updated devices, and you want to optimize both file size and video quality. Also, consider whether your site’s video content needs to be accessible on older devices, or if an alternative format is necessary to ensure broader accessibility.

WebM is a modern video format that offers efficient compression and high quality, which can be a major advantage for websites where fast load times and an optimized user experience are essential. With increasing support in the latest browsers and an open-source platform, WebM is an attractive choice, especially for websites catering to users with up-to-date devices. However, it’s crucial to consider whether your audience includes users with older devices, where compatibility might be a challenge. By evaluating both the audience and technical requirements, WebM can be a valuable solution for many websites, but it’s always wise to test the format’s performance based on the specific needs of the site.