How to Add Video to Systeme.io Pages (YouTube| Vimeo| and Self-Hosted)


Video content is no longer just a “nice-to-have” element in digital marketing—it is an absolute necessity. Whether you are building a high-converting sales funnel, a detailed course module, or a squeeze page intended to capture leads, video has the power to increase conversions by over 80%.

If you are using Systeme.io to build your online business, you are in luck. The platform makes it incredibly straightforward to integrate video content directly into your pages. However, depending on your goals, you might be wondering whether you should upload the file directly, stream it from YouTube to save bandwidth, or use a premium host like Vimeo for better privacy.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through every method of adding videos to Systeme.io. We will cover direct uploads, external embedding, and advanced settings like delaying buttons to sync with your video sales letter (VSL).

Table of Contents:

  1. Why Video Hosting Choice Matters
  2. The Three Main Ways to Add Video in Systeme.io
  3. Method 1: Using YouTube or Vimeo Links (The URL Method)
  4. Method 2: Hosting Videos Directly on Systeme.io (Self-Hosted)
  5. Method 3: Using Custom Embed Code (Wistia, Loom, HTML5)
  6. Advanced Configuration: Autoplay, Controls, and Shadows
  7. Pro Tip: How to Delay Buttons to Appear After Your Video Ends
  8. Troubleshooting Common Video Issues
  9. Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?
  10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  11. Conclusion


Why Video Hosting Choice Matters

Before we dive into the “how-to,” it is crucial to understand the “why.” Systeme.io gives you flexibility, but the source of your video changes the user experience.

  • YouTube is free and great for SEO, but it often shows ads or “recommended videos” that can distract your leads.
  • Vimeo offers a cleaner player and privacy controls but usually requires a paid subscription for commercial use.
  • Systeme.io Native Hosting allows you to upload files directly. This provides a completely clean experience with no external branding, which is ideal for course content and sales letters.

The Three Main Ways to Add Video in Systeme.io

Systeme.io utilizes a “Drag-and-Drop” editor. To get started with any of the methods below, you need to open the page editor for your Funnel Step, Blog Post, or Course Lecture.

  1. Open your Systeme.io Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Funnels (or Blogs/Courses).
  3. Select the specific page you want to edit.
  4. Click the Magic Wand icon (Edit Page) to enter the editor.
  5. On the left-hand sidebar, scroll down to the Media section and look for the Video element.
  6. Drag the Video element onto your page where you want it to appear.

Once the element is on the page, click on the video placeholder to open the configuration menu on the left sidebar. This is where the magic happens.

Method 1: Using YouTube or Vimeo Links (The URL Method)

This is the most common method for beginners because it saves storage space and utilizes the streaming power of giants like Google.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Click on the Video Element you dragged onto your page.
  2. In the left sidebar, look for the dropdown menu labeled Video Type.
  3. Select “Direct link (YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion…)”.
  4. A text field labeled URL will appear.
  5. Copy your video link from YouTube or Vimeo.

    • Tip: For YouTube, simply copy the URL from the browser bar.

  6. Paste the link into the URL field in Systeme.io.

Customizing the URL Embed:

Systeme.io allows you to control how these external videos behave.

  • Autoplay: You can toggle this on or off. (Note: Most modern browsers mute autoplay videos by default).
  • Controls: You can choose to hide or show the player controls (play/pause/volume). Hiding controls is excellent for VSLs where you want to force the user to watch the narrative flow.

Pro Tip: If you are using YouTube, the “Suggested Videos” at the end can steal your traffic. To minimize this, use a self-hosted option or Vimeo for sales pages. Keep YouTube embeds for blog posts where traffic leakage is less critical.

Method 2: Hosting Videos Directly on Systeme.io (Self-Hosted)

One of the massive advantages of Systeme.io—even on the free plan—is the ability to host videos directly. This removes YouTube ads and Vimeo branding, giving you a professional, “white-label” look.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Click on the Video Element on your canvas.
  2. In the Video Type dropdown, select “Upload file”.
  3. Click the Cloud Upload Icon next to the “File” field.
  4. A window will pop up. You can either:

    • Drag and drop your MP4 file into the box.
    • Click “Select file” to browse your computer.

  5. Wait for the upload to complete. Once finished, click Insert.

Benefits of Direct Upload:

  • No Ads: Your leads won’t see ads for other products.
  • Fast Loading: Systeme.io uses a content delivery network (CDN) to ensure fast delivery.
  • Zero Distractions: When the video ends, it simply stops or loops; it doesn’t suggest cat videos.

Important Note on File Size:

While Systeme.io offers unlimited storage on many plans, very large video files (over 2GB) can sometimes take a long time to upload depending on your internet connection. For massive course files, compressing them using software like Handbrake before uploading is recommended to ensure smoother playback for users with slower internet.

Method 3: Using Custom Embed Code (Wistia, Loom, HTML5)

Do you use a specialized video marketing platform like Wistia, Spotlightr, or Loom? You can embed these players to keep their advanced analytics and heatmaps.

Step-by-Step Guide:

  1. Click on the Video Element on your page.
  2. In the Video Type dropdown, select “Custom embed”.
  3. Go to your video host (e.g., Wistia) and copy the Inline Embed or iFrame code.
  4. Return to Systeme.io and paste the code into the box labeled Code.
  5. Save Changes and click Preview.

    • Note: Often, custom embed codes do not render inside the editor. You must preview the actual page to see if it is working correctly.

Alternatively, you can use the “Raw HTML” element from the left sidebar instead of the Video element if you have a complex script to add.

Advanced Configuration: Autoplay, Controls, and Shadows

Once your video is added, you need to style it to fit your brand and funnel logic.

1. Aspect Ratio and Size

Systeme.io usually handles aspect ratios automatically, but you can control the width.

  • Click the video.
  • Adjust the Margins (Top, Bottom, Left, Right) to center the video or create space.
  • To make a video smaller, place it inside a Row or Column layout and adjust the column width.

2. Styling (Shadows and Borders)

To make your video “pop” off the screen:

  • Scroll down to the Item Style section.
  • Box Shadow: Select “Hard shadow” or “Soft shadow” to give it depth.
  • Rounded Corners: Increase the radius (e.g., 5px or 10px) to smooth out the sharp edges of the video player.

3. Autoplay and Mute

In the video settings, you will see toggles for Autoplay.

  • Warning: Google Chrome and Safari policies generally block autoplay videos unless the video is muted. If you turn Autoplay ON, ensure you also toggle “Start Muted” ON, or the video might not play at all.

Pro Tip: How to Delay Buttons to Appear After Your Video Ends

If you are creating a Video Sales Letter (VSL), you often don’t want the “Buy Now” button to be visible immediately. You want the user to watch the pitch first.

Systeme.io has a built-in feature for this.

  1. Add your Button element below the video.
  2. Click on the Button (or the Section/Row containing the button).
  3. In the left sidebar, scroll down to the Delay before displaying item field.
  4. Enter the time in hours:minutes:seconds.

    • Example: If your pitch starts at the 5-minute mark of your video, set the delay to 00:05:00.

  5. Save and Preview.

When a user lands on the page, the button will be invisible. Exactly 5 minutes later, it will fade in automatically.

Troubleshooting Common Video Issues

Even with a robust tool like Systeme.io, hiccups happen. Here is how to fix them.

Issue 1: The Video Won’t Autoplay on Mobile

Solution: Mobile browsers are very strict about data usage. They almost never allow autoplay with sound. Ensure your video is set to “Muted” if you want it to autoplay. Alternatively, add a thumbnail with a “Click to Play” graphic to encourage the user to tap.

Issue 2: The Video Is Too Small or Too Big

Solution: Check the Padding and Margins of the Section or Row the video is sitting in. If you put a video inside a 3-column row, it will be very narrow. Move it to a single-column row for full width.

Issue 3: YouTube Related Videos Are Showing Competitors

Solution: This is a YouTube limitation. While you can turn off “rel” in some code embeds, YouTube has deprecated the ability to completely remove related videos. The best fix is to switch to Method 2 (Upload file) and host the video directly on Systeme.io.

Comparison: Which Method Should You Choose?

Not sure which route to take? Use this comparison table to decide.

FeatureYouTube EmbedVimeo (Paid)Systeme.io Direct Upload
CostFreeMonthly FeeIncluded in Plan
AdsYes (High Risk)NoNo
Traffic LeaksYes (Suggested Videos)NoNo
Buffering SpeedExcellentGoodGood
Privacy/SecurityLowHighHigh
Best Use CaseBlogs / Free ContentPrivate CoursesSales Pages / Courses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is there a limit to how many videos I can upload to Systeme.io?
A: Systeme.io is famous for its generous limits. Most plans include unlimited storage space for files, including videos. However, always check the specific terms of your current plan.

Q2: Can I track how much of the video my leads watched?
A: Systeme.io does not currently offer granular video analytics (like “User X watched 50%”). If you need deep analytics, you should use Wistia or Vimeo and embed the code (Method 3).

Q3: Does uploading videos slow down my landing page?
A: Systeme.io utilizes a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve files efficiently. However, keeping file sizes optimized is always good practice. Using a YouTube embed is generally “lighter” on the page load speed than a heavy self-hosted file, but the conversion trade-off (distractions) is usually worth the self-hosted load time.

Q4: Can I add a custom thumbnail to my self-hosted video?
A: Yes. When you select “Upload file,” there is usually an option in the settings to upload a “Thumbnail” image. If not, you can create a poster frame in your video editing software as the very first frame of the video.

Q5: Why is my video blurry?
A: If you uploaded a file directly, it might be processing. If it is a YouTube embed, the quality depends on the user’s internet connection, as YouTube automatically adjusts resolution based on bandwidth.

Conclusion

Adding video to your Systeme.io pages is a straightforward process that yields massive returns in engagement and sales. Whether you choose to leverage the reach of YouTube, the professionalism of Vimeo, or the integrated power of Systeme.io’s native hosting, the platform handles it all with ease.

For high-ticket sales funnels and paid courses, we highly recommend using the Direct Upload feature. It keeps your ecosystem closed, removes distractions, and ensures your brand is the only thing the customer sees.

Now that you know how to embed and optimize your videos, it’s time to record that content and start driving conversions!

Ready to build your next video funnel? Log in to your Systeme.io dashboard now and try adding a video using the “Delay Button” technique to see how it impacts your sales.