#128 Boost Website Performance with Smarter Video, AI Tools & Core Web Vitals Fixes

In this episode of the 90-Day Website Mastery Podcast, Jonny Ross and Pascal Fintoni tackle a crucial question for website managers: Should you upload videos directly to your website or embed them from platforms like YouTube and Vimeo? The discussion delves into the strategic considerations behind video hosting decisions, performance implications, and how to maximise both user experience and discoverability. Pascal and Jonny break down when to use native uploads versus embeds, and explain the distinct advantages of YouTube for reach versus Vimeo for polish and control. The episode also reflects on Jason Hellerman's five-part YouTube storytelling framework from No Film School, revealing how to structure videos that hook viewers immediately and keep them engaged through to the final reflection. This proven structure works for B2B, B2C, and social content alike. Finally, Jonny and Pascal introduce two powerful AI tools: one for generating complete website prototypes in seconds, and another for creating professional-grade product imagery, plus actionable website optimisations you can implement today. If you manage a website, create video content, or want to improve your site's performance and engagement—this episode delivers immediately applicable strategies.🎥 Should I Upload Videos Directly to My Website or Embed Them? The answer depends on your strategic goals and the type of video content you're creating. Upload directly to your website when:You need seamless integration (hero videos, contact page messages, product demonstrations)You want complete control over branding and user experienceThe video is bespoke to that specific pageCritical: Optimize video files rigorously to maintain site speed Embed YouTube videos when:You're building a YouTube channel and want to increase visibilityYou want videos to be easily shareable across platformsYou're creating social-style content that benefits from wider distributionThe more places a YouTube video appears in relevant contexts, the better for SEOWatch out for: Limited branding control, potential ads, and suggested videos from competitorsPro tip: Add ?rel=0 to the end of YouTube embed URLs to show only videos from your channel Embed Vimeo videos when:You need polished, professional presentation for service pages or case studiesYou want full control over branding without ads or distractionsYou're creating promotional content or training materialsYou need granular control over download and sharing permissionsNote: Vimeo requires a paid subscription based on upload volume Cookie compliance matters: Remember that embedded videos trigger third-party cookies—ensure your privacy policy covers this for GDPR compliance.🎬 How Do I Structure Videos to Hook Viewers and Keep Them Engaged? Based on Jason Hellerman's framework from No Film School, here's the five-part structure for compelling YouTube content: Part 1: The Hook (15-20 seconds)Present the big goal or problem you're addressingAnswer the "what"—what will you explore, solve, or understand?Use pattern interrupts: bold statements, surprising stats, or quick visualsSpeak directly to your ideal client using "you" and "your"Build curiosity with strategic word choicesInclude social proof early if possible (e.g., "tested across X clients") Part 2: The Context (up to 1 minute)This is surprisingly the most important sectionShift from...