![\"lightbox](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox1-1.jpg\")
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\nWhile WordPress is a popular blogging platform, it\u2019s now evolved into a full-fledged Content Management System (CMS) that can be used for practically any application. These include media-heavy websites such as portfolio or video sharing websites. However, the typical \u2018gallery\u2019 display of a grid isn\u2019t the only option you can use.<\/p>\n
A lightbox is a display option that emphasizes the quality of your media, by using a full-screen display and dimming any non-media elements of the web page. As a result, your visitors will enjoy an overall improved viewing experience.<\/p>\n
In this post, we\u2019ll introduce you to lightboxes and their uses. We\u2019ll discuss how to use them for image and video displays, as well as offer a few popular lightbox WordPress plugins and themes so you can begin using them immediately. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n
The images you use in your lightboxes can be of any size or orientation (i.e. portrait or landscape), and the gallery (that is, the configuration of images appearing on the main gallery page) can take various forms. For example, some websites use a grid layout\u2026<\/p>\n
![\"display](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox2.jpg\")
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\u2026while others use a single-file display of images on both the main gallery page, and within the lightbox gallery.<\/p>\n
In our opinion, the best use of a lightbox is to display high-quality images at their full size. This enables you to use smaller sized thumbnails initially, while saving the very best version of your images for those who need the extra quality and size.<\/p>\n
![\"full](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox3.jpg\")
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If you want to get creative, you can also use the a lightbox gallery to link out to off-site projects and content. Simply add an image or video that links to the content, and you\u2019re all set!<\/p>\n
Images aren\u2019t the only media you can display using a lightbox. Videos can also be displayed on your website in their full resolution.<\/p>\n
Similar to images, videos galleries can appear in either a grid or single-file format. You can also add captions within the lightbox popup:<\/p>\n
![\"lightbox](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox4.jpg\")
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A lightbox can also be flexible \u2013 for example, you can add your own videos, or<\/em> link out to YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, or whatever your favorite video service is (depending on the plugin or theme). This makes it possible to add all kinds of content to your website, both original and curated.<\/p>\n The quickest way to incorporate a lightbox into your website is with a dedicated WordPress lightbox plugin. Let\u2019s take a look at four of the most functional options.<\/p>\n Lightbox Gallery<\/a> is a simple plugin that can be used to turn your image and video galleries into professional-looking lightbox displays. It includes display configuration and captioning options, while also enabling you to split your gallery into multiple pages.<\/p>\n Using the plugin is simple. Once installed, all shortcode instances of [gallery] will automatically display as lightboxes. You can also implement additional functionality, such as [gallery Lightboxsize=\"full\"] to change the display size and [gallery meta=\"true\"] to display media metadata.<\/p>\n Responsive Lightbox by dFactory<\/a> is a full-featured lightbox plugin, offering an array of display scripts and automated features. The plugin enables you to automatically create lightbox displays for your images, image links, videos links, and even widget and comments section elements.<\/p>\n Responsive Lightbox even offers full WooCommerce<\/a> product gallery support, and you can also trigger the opening of the lightbox with specific events<\/a>.<\/p>\n As a freemium WordPress plugin, Responsive Lightbox<\/a> offers plenty of customization and optimization of your lightbox displays, including built-in transition effects and ready-made display themes. This plugin supports the display of many types of content \u2013 including images, videos, links, inline content, and HTML.<\/p>\n Overall, Responsive Lightbox is a beneficial addition to any site looking to add lightbox functionality. There is a free version of the plugin available, but the premium upgrade<\/a> includes a number of other features for just $29.<\/p>\n Lightbox by Huge-It<\/a> provides various customization tools (including five lightbox views) and advanced features (such as opening and closing speeds), and comes in both free and premium versions<\/a>.<\/p>\n Much like other plugins, Lightbox will be useful for portfolios, photography projects, and displaying videos (including automatic embeds from both YouTube and Vimeo). You can even customize how your gallery displays, including transitions, slideshow speed, pop-up size, and position.<\/p>\n While lightbox plugins are often suitable, some themes include this functionality out of the box. You\u2019ll often find gallery and portfolio themes \u2013 i.e. ones that optimize the display of images and videos \u2013 are a great place to look for lightbox functionality.<\/p>\nWordPress Lightbox Plugins<\/h2>\n
1. WordPress Lightbox Gallery<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"wordpress](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Responsive Lightbox by dFactory<\/a><\/h4>\n
![\"Responsive](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox6-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n3. Responsive Lightbox<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"Responsive](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox7.jpg\")
<\/p>\n4. Lightbox<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"lightbox](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox18.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLightbox WordPress Themes<\/h2>\n
![\"Lightbox](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox9.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"folo](\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/lightbox10.jpg\")
Websites of all kinds can benefit from a lightbox, although they\u2019re best for sites displaying a lot of high-quality media. Given this, those sites will also benefit from the speed increase managed hosting can provide. To learn more about managed hosting and all it can do for you, check out