Is this possible? ... regarding use of video

[Marshall]

I am a newbie to website design/building. I have been maintaining an existing website for a friend and am now creating a new website for my wife who is an author. I have purchased tools like Dreamweaver, Photoshop, After Effects, etc. I have watched many website planning/designing tutorials and have a basic idea on where and how to get started. Now to my question .... my initial plan for the website design is to display a full screen 30 second video clip when the visiter first enters the website and upon completion it would go to a typical navagational syle webpage. I have never seen this on any website and just wondering can this be done? Not asking how at this point just if it can be done.
Thanks

[TheGAME1264]

You could do it, and it has been done...it's called a splash page.

However, that doesn't mean you should do it. The problem with 30 seconds of video is that it's 30 seconds that the user either has to wait or that the user has to do something to elect to bypass in order to get to the content. I've done it in the past a few times for people, and it has never worked, simply because people lack patience in general.

If you're going to do anything, have the video embedded in the home page along with some content and let people play it if they want to.

[AlphaMare]

Yes, it can be done.
But, it SHOULDN'T be done.

Any site that automatically forces me to watch something or listen to something (or both) - I get out as fast as I can.

A while ago there was a fad of having a flash intro for sites - a flash animation that lasted 15 to 45 seconds, some even longer, complete with sound. That died out pretty fast as visitors left those sites in droves.

If you're going to have video on the site, and by all means, do so if it adds to the content and context of the site, put in in a place and in such a way so that visitors can OPT to watch it.

Of course that is only my opinion, but do a little research and you'll find that it's really not recommended to have autoplay anymore.

EDIT: seems I type slower than TheGame...

[TheGAME1264]

Just for the record, it's a good thing that you asked this question before you did it. If you're new and aren't sure of a concept, this is the best way to find out. We're not trying to rip off your head or tear apart what you have in mind...we're just trying to help you avoid making a mistake beforehand, that's all.

[Webzarus]

What both of them said, pretty much nailed it.

Now from another angle, splash pages using flash and or video, especially on your entry page , kill any chances of getting a new site listed or displayed on a search engine.

Typically today, splash pages like this are relegated to specific marketing efforts. I still do them occasionally for a product launch, new offering, etc. but they are never on the front page of a site, they are rarely even listed on the sites navigation. But the links are always in email, ads, etc. so we can monitor the responses, how many views, how many watch the entire video, how many bounces, etc.

Again, you don't want to use them on your entry page for reasons stated above. I've seen some companies link to them from their front page ( more from ego and they spent money on it so why not ), but most I've talked to about it say, even if done embedded so there's still content and links on the pages, affect how search engines see the site.

[Marshall]

Thanks guys, this is exactly what I needed to read. Excellent feedback from you all ... reading your feedback make perfect sinse so I will trash the splash page and make it available as an optional play.

[TheGAME1264]

Good call, dude. Good on you for understanding that we're trying to help you and that what you needed to read is more important than what you wanted to read. That's appreciated from this end.