In the golden age of Tiktok, Youtube, and shiny new social media platforms that make the most out of easily accessible video content – having website videos has never been so important. If it’s your first time creating video content for your website, the job may seem larger than life – daunting.
But whether you’re a startup or a small business, video content is king and an absolute necessity. Here’s my insight as a voice over actor who’s voiced thousands of narrations for companies who leveled up their online presence through website videos.
Why are Website Videos Important?
Adding short-form videos to your website doesn’t just increase the odds of keeping a potential customer around your website longer – you nearly double your chances of conversion. On the surface, forcibly upgrading your site with web videos might seem like a downside, but it’s a blessing in disguise.
These days, people have the world at their fingertips. If you don’t have a video on your website, somebody else will. That’s how it works. Whoever is the most prepared to roll with the times is the one who’s going to get the business. People have come to expect a certain standard – and who could blame them? Any information consumers could want within multiple lifetimes already exists in short-form video content. And the collective pool keeps growing every second of every day.
Consumers Expect Videos on Your Website
Consumers understand that sooner or later, they will hear a pitch, and they just want to ensure it’s worth their while. That’s a big part of why today’s consumers expect website videos from virtually everyone – they want a painless process that leaves them informed, entertained, and enriched.
The concept is nothing new. Video marketing has been around for ages – commercials have worked on TV since they became a household staple. Youtube sells pre-roll ads like there’s no tomorrow, and thousands of companies worldwide with digital influencers.
The fact is, most people don’t have the time, or attention span, to sift through line after line of website copy when they could be watching a video instead. They know that if you want their business, you should do the legwork for them. And the best way to do that is by creating videos for your website.
Videos Keep Consumers on Your Website
In the early days of the internet, the fact that someone had a website was considered impressive enough. But the websites of today have set the bar higher. And rightfully so, in an era of virtual reality and instant gratification – websites and behemoth corporations like Amazon and Shien have made it possible for people to have more options available at their fingertips than ever before – and at a fraction of the price. In all of recorded human history, it’s never been easier to find everything we need in one place. And that’s before we factor in fellow small-to-large business competitors.
Suffice it to say, small businesses need every edge they can get. Here’s a quick guide to help you along the way.
Kim’s Quick Guide to Creating Your Website Videos
By now, you’re probably wondering, where would I even start? And the answer is convolutedly simple – ask yourself some questions:
- What does your business do or sell?
- Can you identify your values, concerns, and policies?
- What type of content is presently on your website?
- Why should consumers do business with you – and why should they care about your product?
By asking yourself these simple questions, you’re already on your way to creating great video content for your website.
What Kind of Videos Should I Have on My Website?
Animating your website may seem daunting, but it has never been more accessible or affordable – all you need is a little push in the right direction. Creating short videos from your existing website content dramatically reduces production time and staffing costs. Through voice-over narration, you can transform your website into an interactive experience at a fraction of the cost. Types of videos you may want to feature include:
- Product/Service Videos
- Explainer Videos
- Company Bio and About You
- Fundraising Campaigns
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How Voice-Over Brings Your Website to Life
With today’s smartphones, it’s exceedingly possible to record high-quality product videos and explainers without dropping a fortune on professional videographers. It’s as easy as downloading an editing app and looking up a quick tutorial on Youtube.
The Value Professional Voice Actors Bring to Videos
A professional voice over actor doesn’t just make your website sound good – they understand you and your audience. Professional voice actors know how to present information to your customers in a way that makes them want to listen because they can relate to how it’s portrayed.
For every product on the market today, there’s probably a user-generated Youtube review or tutorial about it. Marketing companies and ad agencies understand the great value of UGC (user-generated content) and work with these creators. On the surface, UGC might seem like great press, and to a degree, it is – but it’s different from having your videos on your site.
As much as third-party reviews on platforms like Youtube and TikTok help your credibility as a brand, the average consumer doesn’t have the energy to do the legwork for you – chances are they’ll probably lose interest by the time they finish Googling it. Your goal as a business is to follow the same model Tiktok has – keep people on your platform for as long as possible. Once you send a potential customer to another website, your chances of doing business with them plummet to zero almost immediately.
DIY Website Videos for Small Businesses on a Budget
While it’s always best to leave business content up to the professionals, for most startups, and small businesses, hiring rotating crews of photographers, writers, videographers, and every other stage of big-budget production simply isn’t an option.
Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your project budget-friendly – and one of the best ways to do that is by hiring a professional voice-over actor. Yes, as a voice actor, I know this sounds biased, but voice actors are the one area you should never skimp. My favorite LA Film School quote affirms this: “Poor sound can ruin an otherwise spectacular production.” Top-quality sound and a voice artist who can bring the emotional connection you need are essential for your content creation strategy. Some voice actors (myself included) even come complete with their audio production team and cover the value of several teams for the price of one.
With all the respect in the world for my fellow professionals – anyone can capture and edit stunning content with today’s smartphones. With powerful cameras that come standard with every smartphone, anyone can *cough* “be a photographer.” On the other hand, voice acting is more nuanced, and the tones are subtle and humanly distinct in a way that even AI voiceover apps struggle to keep up with.