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Video galleries are here! Now you will be able to add multiple videos on one page in a grid format. With the change in size of the video preview, your viewers will be able to easily choose which video they want to see. Adding a Video Gallery block to your page is simple – here’s how you can start creating yours:

1. Select Content from the Dashboard navigation bar.
2. From the Content tool, select the Page you’d like your Video Gallery on, from your list of pages.

Note: In this scenario, we will be working in a Generic page type.

3. From your page, select the green (+) button between content blocks, you will see all of your available block options.

4. Select the Video Gallery option:

5. The block will immediately show up on the page. Select the green Add Video button to input your first YouTube or Vimeo video:

6. Now, go to YouTube or Vimeo‘s website in a new tab or window. Navigate to the video of your choice, then simply copy the video’s URL to your clipboard.

• Vimeo: Select Share on the video player, then copy the URL (Right-click and Copy or CMD+C for Mac | CTRL+C for PC)

• YouTube: Select Share under the video player, then “Copy the URL” (Right-click and Copy or CMD+C for Mac | CTRL+C for PC)

7. Head back to the liveBooks Dashboard on the Page you have been working on in Content.

8. Now paste the video’s URL into the item you added earlier.
(Right-click and Paste or CMD+V for Mac | CTRL+V for PC)
Note: You may also paste the video embed code into the item, but we find pasting the URL easier.

9. Repeat steps 5-8 for as many videos you’d like to have in your Video Gallery.

You will notice that after you paste the URL, the platform grabs the video’s Title and Description from the Video source (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo)

10. When done, select the green Publish button to make it live to your website.

The liveBooks team has been working vigorously this year to migrate many of its clients from the Flash-based Legacy platform to the HTML5-based liveBooks8 platform. The HTML5 platform offers responsive templates that you are readily able to edit on your desktop, tablet or mobile devices! With it a ton of new features are also available – including advanced SEO tools and options for customizations, such as varied portfolio and gallery layouts, a library of hundreds of font choices, drag and drop design, in-line editing tools and much more!

In addition to the added features that the HTML5 platform offers, there is one big reason why you should migrate from your Flash website as soon as possible. All major browsers have already set into motion the blocking of flash sites!

Safari:
In June, Apple announced that the version of Safari that comes on macOS Sierra will block Flash by default across all websites. This means that if your website runs on Flash, your visitors will be greeted by the following message:

Apple has taken a very big stand against Flash since 2007. This is due in part to Flash websites having slow loading times, being a drain on laptop batteries, and continually having security issues. The measures that Apple has taken will continue to detract visitors from visiting your Flash website.
(Sources: PetaPixel, The Verge)

Chrome:
Google announced in May that Chrome would start to block Flash websites with the launch of Chrome 53 in September. More importantly – in December 2016, Chrome 55 will make HTML5 the default experience. Those websites that only run on Flash will need to be enabled by the user to display properly.
(Source: Chrome Blog)

Firefox:
Mozilla Firefox will retire Adobe Flash as soon as 2017. With the release of Firefox 53, Flash plug-ins will require the user to actively click-to-play. Though Mozilla hasn’t directly stated that Flash will be completely retired after the click-to-play change, the move is apparent.
(Source: ARS Technica)

Though Adobe Flash helped make the Web a rich and dynamic experience, a new generation of technology has pushed for a big change in website platforms. The liveBooks8 platform is the optimal choice for our Flash users to transition to.

To learn more about liveBooks8 and its main features, please visit this link.

To see our migration options and schedule your migration, please visit this link.

We are so excited to announce the release of eight brand new templates. At liveBooks, our goal is to give you the best possible jumping point for a custom website and after months of gaining your feedback, brainstorming, and designing, we are excited to announce that we have released redesigned templates for our liveBooks 8 platform. With new, customizable features, we hope that our platform gives you an outstanding place to share your portfolio and services with the world. Check out a brief description of the key features on each template below to decide which one will work best for your site. Keep in mind that each template is just a jumping point and customizing your site is easy using the liveBooks 8 designer. To choose your template and start your free trial, click here!

Not on liveBooks 8 yet and ready to make the switch with one of our new templates? Now is the perfect time to make the switch from Flash to HTML5. Click here to learn more about the migration process and then schedule your website migration today!

Aperture

Share stunning, embedded video modules on your homepage with our Aperture template. This video website template allows you to easily share your best motion work with minimal content on the page. With a sleek design and bottom navigation, this full-bleed video site is sure to highlight your best live-action work. Easily link social media icons to your bottom navigation to allow clients to access anywhere else you may share your work. Additionally, this template comes with a variety of portfolio designs, allowing you to pick your favorite option. If you are a videographer, you are definitely going to want to check out Aperture!

Quick Facts:

• Full bleed homepage with video auto-play
• Dedicated video playback pages
• Portfolio page options, great for highlighting work or showcasing service options
• Contact page with a map to your studio or office

Panorama

Our Panorama template has a sleek and modern design that is perfect for design-oriented creatives. The bold homepage slideshow allows clients to focus on your work from the start, while the minimalist bottom navigation guides them to your portfolio and contact information in an unobtrusive way. Social media is easily integrated into your navigation menu in the Panorama template. Additionally, the clean contact page focuses on what is most important: driving you more business.

Quick Facts:

• Bottom navigation
• Integrated slideshow on homepage
• Thumbnail portfolio navigation option
• Simple and clean contact page

Blowout

The stylish and playful design of our Blowout template is perfect for those hoping to showcase both images and services on their website’s homepage. The updated stacked layout allows you to showcase the most important details for your clients. Additionally, each service block links out to its own individual page, allowing clients to explore and learn more about you and your services. Top navigation allows clients to easily roam around your site, while keeping a stylish and cohesive design. This template is perfect for business owners who want to engage clients with a mixture of images and text content!

Quick Facts:

• Full bleed scaled slideshow on homepage
• Built-in service pages
• Thoughtfully laid out text blocks
• Contact page with a map to your studio or store

Shutter

Our shutter design is sure to give your site a refreshing, new look. This website template allows you to showcase portfolios directly on the homepage. Link to your individual portfolio pages, using bold and eye-catching leading images. Additionally, the prominent logo and top navigation brings attention to your personal brand. Calling all creatives! Shutter is the template for you.

Quick Facts:

• Top navigation and prominent logo branding
• Navigate to portfolios from a homepage grid
• Multiple portfolio layout options, including text blocks to describe your work
• Content and about pages with full bleed image

Speedlight

The bold design of our Speedlight template will really highlight your best images. The homepage design allows for a mixture of both images and content, with a full-bleed slideshow to catch a potential client’s eye. Portfolios are accessed through an entry page with thumbnails. Our Speedlight template is perfect for creatives hoping to display large photos that have a story to tell.

Quick Facts: 

• Top navigation and prominent branding
• Homepage with full-bleed slideshow and prominent branding
• Thumbnail portfolio entry page
• Large text blocks throughout, which is great for SEO!

Filter

Our filter template highlights the best elements of our 10+ years of custom design work. With a unique and memorable layout that showcases images on the homepage, portfolios are able to be linked and embedded to capture your clients’ attention. This website template’s unique team page will allow you to introduce your team and personality to clients in one easy view. Filter is a great choice for larger businesses and those who wish to covey a high-end and aspirational brand image.

Quick Facts:

• Top navigation menu
• Mosaic homepage design
• Thumbnail portfolio entry page
• Built-in team page

Range

This photo-centric website template is sure to leave an impression on your audience. Our Range template has a clean site design with minimal text content, allowing you to showcase your best images with no distractions. This simple website is great for photographers who are looking for a website with a consistent appearance across all devices. Easily get your new site up and running in no time with Range–it has been a top starting point amongst many of our clients!

Quick Facts:

• Top navigation menu
• Full bleed homepage slideshow
• Portfolio drop-down menu
• Mosaic portfolio pages

Pixel

Our Pixel template has a classic design that allows for a great visual impact on your clients. The top anchored menu places your logo on the right and allows for quick navigation with minimal distractions. With a full-bleed homepage slideshow and a clean contact page, the Pixel template is sure to draw attention to the most important aspects of your portfolio.

Quick Facts:

• Top navigation menu
• Full bleed homepage slideshow
• Portfolio drop-down menu
• Clean contact page

Frame

Our Frame template is inspired by galleries and is built to make your best work stand out. A homepage slideshow allows clients to immediately gravitate towards your work. The left rail navigation and subtle frame around your content create a clean and geometric feel for your website. The pre-built portfolio entry page allows for easy and structured navigation.

Quick Facts:

• Left rail navigation menu
• Homepage slideshow
• Thumbnail portfolio entry page
• Content frame for a gallery inspired look

Focus

You are sure to make an immediate impression with this modern yet minimalistic website template. Our Focus template features a full width grid gallery on the homepage that is complimented by several portfolio design options, easily accessed via drop-down navigation. Additionally, a built in about page allows you to tell your personal story in a visually engaging way.

Quick Facts:

• Top navigation menu
• Grid portfolio homepage
• Multiple portfolio options
• Full bleed about and contact pages

Showcase

Our Showcase template is built for big, bold images. As one of our most popular templates, a full-bleed homepage slideshow is sure to immediately grab the attention of your clients, while the portfolio landing page allows you to easily introduce the unique details of your work. Showcase is a great starting point for any creative’s website!

Quick Facts:

• Top navigation menu
• Full bleed homepage slideshow
• Thumbnail portfolio entry page
• Contact page with a map to your studio or office

White Balance

Our White Balance template is a great jumping point for those looking for a content-light start. This clean design features a scaled slideshow on the homepage in addition to several portfolio options. This website is the perfect template if you are looking to get online fast–simply upload your own content and go!

Quick Facts:

• Blank template for a quick start
• Top navigation with left title alignment
• Scaled slideshow homepage
• About and contact pages with full width images

Wide Open

Our Wide Open template is another great starting point, if you are hoping to get online as soon as possible! This clean design displays your portfolio pages through a left-anchored navigation while a slideshow on your homepage works to grab the attention of your clients. Additionally, clients can easily learn more about your business with the pre-built About and Contact pages. Just like in White Balance, upload your content and publish!

Quick Facts:

• Blank template for a quick start
• Left rail navigation menu
• Slideshow homepage
• Direct access to portfolios in navigation

Now is the perfect time to make the switch from Flash to HTML5. Click here to learn more about the migration process and then schedule your website migration today!

Dale Clark is the top Commercial Photographer specializing in Interiors and Architecture in Columbus and Central Ohio. Dale’s work has been featured in various publications including The Wall Street Journal, HouseTrends Magazine, Dream Homes, Columbus Underground, Popular Photography, and Shutterbug. Dale holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wright State University and attended Kettering University (formerly GMI) for Graduate Studies. We are very excited to share his business story and how it came together seamlessly with the liveBooks 8 platform:

I started Arc Photography in 2008 after 20 years of managing a large-scale automotive manufacturing operation. Photography, especially Architectural photography, has always been a hobby and passion. I made the decision to leave the corporate life and dive into Architectural photography full-time in 2008. With a lot of long hours, hard work and persistence, Arc photography has turned into one of the highest volume Architectural/Residential photography companies in Ohio.

Q: How would you describe the aesthetic of your website in three words?

DC: The website is clean yet bold. Very basic to allow the images to stand out and speak for our business. (Clean, bold, basic)

Q: How often do you typically update your website?

DC: I generally update 4 to 5 times a year, sometimes around seasonal changes.

Q: How do you choose the photos that you display on your homepage?

DC: I display what I consider my best work while showing my general style that clients can expect to see.

Q: What is your favorite new feature of liveBooks8?

DC: Besides the wonderful liveBooks web page designs, the new dashboard is super intuitive.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d offer to someone designing their website?

DC: A good website will focus on YOUR work and not add “noise” to your presentation. A good website is intuitive so that anyone can explore what you have to offer effortlessly.

Would you like to be featured on our blog? Email us at social@livebooks.com!