News

Why does my business need video? October 7th, 2011

 For small businesses, getting noticed online is a challenge, particularly when competing with big brands with large marketing departments and seemingly endless marketing budgets. But more and more local companies are finding success cutting through the clutter with online video. Statistics show that video improves online visibility and drives more action online than plain images and text. For example, according to the BIA Kelsey Group, viewers engage more after watching a video, with clicks for more information increasing by 30-40% and phone inquiries by 16-20%.

Unlike the hefty price tags associated with TV advertising, online video is affordable for businesses of any size. You can even produce videos yourself and upload them for free.

Here’s five ways that video can help your business:

Increase your Google rankings
Just by having a video on your website, you are 53 times more likely to get to the top of the Google rankings. This is because Google now values video very highly. So this is one way to boost SEO without costly monthly fees to web marketing companies.
Make use of YouTube
YouTube is now the second most popular search engine after Google. Lots of people are turning to YouTube not just for entertainment, but to find information. Simply having a website isn’t enough anymore, you need a video on YouTube to take advantage of all these viewers.
Use video on your social media
You can post your video on Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and Blogs. Not only is it more likely that people will look at your social media if it has video, but it is a good excuse to get in touch with everyone to tell them to watch it!
Personalise your website
People like doing business with people they like. Websites can feel very impersonal and cold, adding the right video can put a friendly face to your business and encourage customers to get in touch.
Engage with staff and customers.
The truth is that most of us are lazy or very busy or both. Either way, people are much more likely to watch a video on your website that they are to read the text.