Online Video: Easier, Cheaper, and More Effective Than You Think
Now that broadband Internet is no longer a luxury, there's no better time to add video to your website. And the good news is, adding video to your website is not that tricky to do.
Why video? Isn't my website content sufficient?
Think of video as a way to supplement your site content. Some visitors will appreciate text more than audio; some will respond better to visuals like video and graphics. If you can afford it, incorporating many kinds of media into your website can help appeal to all types of visitors.
Not only is it a smart strategy for speaking to all types of visitors, statistics clearly indicate that video is one of the most popular online media formats. In January 2008 alone, nearly 79 million users had made over 3 billion video views on Youtube. Wow.
If you think you can pull it off (and trust us - it's easier than you think), video is almost always a good way to enhance your website.
What type of video could I add to my site?
A simple 3 minute introduction to a company or a 5 minute demonstration of a product can make a significant impact on visitors. The sky is the limit, and you don't necessarily need a big budget either. Here are a few different ways to use video on your site:
- You can add instant personality to your site with a video "Message From The President." This should be kept short and to the point, and should speak to visitors' wants and needs. It's also a very simple video to shoot. All you need is one person in front of the camera, one person behind the camera, and a short script.
- If your website sells a type of product, consider recording a product demonstration. Visitors will appreciate being able to immediately see how the product works and how effective it is before they purchase.
- Video testimonials from real customers can have a very strong impact on visitors. Be careful that your testimonial is not too scripted, and beware slick, professionally-produced testimonials.
- Animations with voice-overs are a good way to demonstrate broad conceptual ideas.
- Videos are perfect for telling stories. For instance, a before and after video can tell the story of how your consumer was changed or helped via your website, business, or organization.
- Recording a virtual tour of a real-life facility is a great way to set the scene for your viewers.
- For HR purposes, interviews or stories about current employees or the average workday at your business or organization can have a huge impact on how interested potential candidates will be.
I have an idea for a video. What do I need to know?
If you're going to take the plunge, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you are speaking to your audience or customer.
- Keep it short and to the point - under five minutes if you can. If 5 minutes isn't enough, try chopping your video into "chapters."
- Make it easy for visitors to locate and view the video.
- Track feedback from your video. If viewers respond well to it, consider adding more and creating a video library.
I want to get my video up!
If you have an idea for a video on your site, or if you have the video and just don't know how to post it, contact monthlyinsider@arcstone.com. We can either produce a new video for web production or turn a current video into web-friendly format.
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