Beyond still images, Sitejet supports a broad range of media elements — Google Maps for your contact page, YouTube and Vimeo videos, scalable icons, visual separators and third-party embeds. Used well they make pages richer; overused they slow load and dilute focus. This guide walks through each element type with UK-specific examples and the performance tips that keep media-rich pages fast on mobile.
Why rich media matters for your website · Google Maps — show visitors where you are · Videos — engage with moving content · Image galleries — showcase your work · Icons — scalable graphics for features and services · Separators — add visual rhythm · Embedding third-party content with HTML elements · Performance tips for media-rich pages · FAQ
A block of text is five seconds of attention; a video is two minutes. A map is a hundred-word explanation. An icon is a split-second of visual recognition. Rich media does work that words alone cannot, provided you use each element for what it does best and keep performance under control.
Every UK SME with a physical location should embed Google Maps on the contact page. Shows visitors exactly where you are, proves the address is genuine, and feeds a local-business signal to Google.
Steps:
No Google API key required — Sitejet handles the integration.
Three video options:
For hero videos, use a short loop (5–15 seconds) without audio and set to autoplay muted. UK browsers increasingly block autoplay with sound.
Gallery element displays multiple images in grid, masonry or carousel layouts. Best for:
See the dedicated photo gallery guide for layout options and lightbox configuration.
Icons add quick visual recognition to feature grids, service lists and CTAs. Sitejet includes a library of 3000+ icons (Font Awesome + Material Design Icons); you can also upload SVGs.
UK SME conventions:
Use the same icon style across the site. Mixing solid and outline icons looks unpolished.
Separators are visual dividers between sections. Options include horizontal lines, coloured blocks, wave shapes, angled edges. Use sparingly — one or two per page is enough to break up long content without making the page feel chopped.
For anything Sitejet does not provide natively — booking widgets, review feeds, chat tools, podcast players — use the Custom HTML element. Paste the embed code the third-party service gives you.
Common embeds for UK SMEs:
Custom JS and third-party widgets affect Core Web Vitals — use them only where the value justifies the performance cost.
Q: Do I need a Google API key for Google Maps?
A: No — Sitejet handles the API integration. Just enter your address.
Q: Can I autoplay a hero video?
A: Yes, but must be muted. Modern browsers block autoplay with sound.
Q: How do I embed a Calendly booking link?
A: Calendly → Share → Embed code. Paste into Sitejet Custom HTML element on your booking page.
Q: Do videos hurt my Google ranking?
A: Only if they slow the page. A YouTube embed adds ~400 KB; a self-hosted MP4 can add megabytes. Prefer lightweight video hosts.
Q: Can I add 360° virtual tours?
A: Yes, via Custom HTML element. Paste the embed from Matterport, Roundme, or similar tools.
Q: How many media elements can I have on one page?
A: No hard limit, but prioritise performance. A page with 10+ videos will load slowly on mobile. Split into multiple pages if needed.