Website Items
Display live websites, dashboards, and web applications directly on your screens. Website items show real-time content that updates automatically.
What Are Website Items?
Website items embed live web pages in your playlists:
- Dashboards - Analytics, KPIs, metrics
- Social feeds - Twitter walls, social media displays
- News sites - Live news tickers
- Internal tools - Company portals, status pages
- Custom apps - Any web-based content
Adding Website Items
- Open a Playlist
- Click Add Items
- Select Website tab
- Enter the URL
- Set display duration
- Click Add
URL Requirements
Supported URLs
- Must use
https://(secure connections) - Must allow iframe embedding
- Public or internally accessible
URL Character Restrictions
URLs cannot contain the following characters:
- Single quote (
') - Semicolon (
;) - Less than sign (
<)
URLs with restricted characters will be rejected for security reasons.
Common Issues
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Blank screen | Site blocks iframes | Contact site owner or use alternative |
| Login required | Authentication needed | Use public URLs or SSO |
| Mixed content | HTTP resources | Ensure all resources use HTTPS |
Some websites block embedding for security reasons. Test URLs before deploying.
Duration Settings
Website items require a display duration:
- Minimum: 5 seconds
- Recommended: 30-60 seconds for dashboards
- Maximum: 3600 seconds (1 hour)
The page refreshes when the item starts playing again in the playlist loop.
For media items (images), the minimum duration is 1 second. Videos play for their full length by default.
Best Practices
Performance
- Avoid heavy JavaScript sites
- Prefer mobile-optimized pages
- Test on actual screen hardware
Content
- Use full-screen dashboard views
- Hide navigation if possible
- Ensure text is readable from distance
Security
- Only use trusted URLs
- Avoid sites requiring login
- Don't embed sensitive data
Supported Content Types
| Type | Works Well | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Static dashboards | Yes | Google Data Studio, Tableau Public |
| Social walls | Yes | Dedicated signage feeds |
| Weather widgets | Yes | Signage-specific widgets |
| News feeds | Yes | RSS-to-HTML services |
| Google Slides | Yes | Use publish to web URL |
| Interactive apps | No | No touch support on signage displays |
YouTube videos are fully supported as a separate item type. When adding content, select the YouTube tab instead of Website for optimal playback.
Testing Website Items
Before deploying:
- Add URL to test playlist
- Preview in browser
- Check on actual screen
- Verify content loads correctly
- Test over extended period
Troubleshooting
Website Won't Load
- Check URL is accessible
- Verify HTTPS is used
- Test if site allows iframes
- Check URL doesn't contain restricted characters (
',;,<) - Try alternative URL or service
Content Looks Wrong
- Check responsive design
- Adjust screen resolution
- Use mobile version if available
- Contact site for signage-friendly version
Next Steps
- Create Sequences for time-based content
- Learn about Screen Zones for multi-content layouts