Adding a Video to Your Web Site

Alice Gebura — Tue, 25 May 2010 17:09:26 +0000

Videos are a great addition to your web site, especially if you want to explain how a product works, create a case study, or do something wild and creative. Hiring professionals is expensive but it’s entirely possible to make a powerful video yourself. I like the videos made by Lee Lefever for Common Craft who created the “…in Plain English”series. They’re very simple. The props are a whiteboard and Post Its. You can see their videos on their web site or on YouTube.

Are you inspired? Pixability, a company that helps small businesses make videos, has the following tips for making your own videos:

Get a simple-to-use camera. The Flip camera and Kodak Zi8 are recommended. Make sure the camera allows for easy downloads.
It’s the content, baby! What are your best customers passionate about? Tell stories that give your audience the information they are searching for.
Shorter is better. Viewers have short attention spans, so don’t squeeze too many messages into one video. Less than two minutes is optimal for the Web.
Hold still. Grip the video camera with both hands and keep a stable shot for at least 10 seconds.
Lights, camera, action. Turn on all the lights when shooting, and never shoot someone whose back is to the sun. Have your subjects speak loudly, and avoid background noise.
Deliver the right message. End with a call to action.

You can read more about Pixability and web videos in the article Claim to frame: Helping businesses polish images published in the Boston Globe on 5/25/10.

Analysis by Smart Alice Web Design, smart web design for businesses who want a unique and effective presence on the internet.

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Adding a Video to Your Web Site