Let’s face it…video content and marketing are at the forefront of effective digital marketing. In 2023, YouTube Premium and Music together have more than 80 million subscribers! And we are also not forgetting TikTok which has become the most used short video sharing platform in recent years…and still increasing in popularity. And then there are the reels on the various social media platforms.
Most businesses have already embraced this trend and are utilising video content on these platforms as well as on their website.
However, the question remains whether to host these videos on their site or embed them from another platform. Here I will share the benefits of embedding videos on your site rather than hosting them.
Improved loading speed
If you are uploading videos directly to your website, it may lead to slow loading times. This is because video files are usually large and may take longer to load, especially on slower internet connections or older devices. Embedding videos from other platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok or even Vimeo, allows the platform to host the video on their servers and stream the video to your website. This results in faster loading times, which can improve your website’s overall performance and user experience.
Reduced storage requirements
Hosting videos on your site can consume a significant amount of storage space. This can lead to increased costs and may cause your site to slow down or even crash. Using video hosting platforms, you no longer have to worry about running out of storage space. These platforms offer unlimited* space to host videos, and you can embed as many videos on your site as you like without having to worry about the additional storage cost implications.
Enhanced SEO
Embedded videos can positively impact your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO). Search engines, such as Google, prioritise websites with video content over those without, making it easier for potential customers to find you online. By embedding videos from reputable hosting platforms, you also benefit from their high domain authority, which boosts your website’s SEO score. Additionally, video content is known to increase engagement rates on your website, which in turn, increases your website’s search engine ranking.
Increased visibility
When you host videos on your site, you limit their visibility. Embedding videos from hosting platforms, on the other hand, expands their visibility. For example, if you embed a YouTube video on your site, your video will be visible on both your site and the YouTube platform. This expands your reach to YouTube users who may not have known about your brand before. Win win!
Easy video management
Embedding videos on your site is easy to manage. Instead of dealing with the technical aspects of video hosting and ensuring your videos are accessible, you can spend time creating high-quality video content and let the hosting platforms do the rest. Hosting platforms offer easy-to-use management tools that let you edit, update, and manage your videos with ease.
Reduce the “rabbit hole” effect
Not sure about yourself, but if I start watching any type of video content – long or short form (including reels!), I can easily go down the rabbit hole and before you know it, an hour (or two) has passed. By embedding video’s on your site, you can minimise the “rabbit hole” effect that may be undertaken if your watchers leave your site and then of course trying to get back to your site. Keeping them on your website also means they are more likely to spend more time on your site exploring other pages.
Now whilst I don’t have video’s currently on my own site, this is part of my marketing strategy to do in the coming year…probably a bit slow to the party, but better late than never! If possible, most businesses ought to include video content on their website, and embedding videos is simply the best way to do so.
Need help coming up with content ideas? Book a Tech Session today and let’s get the ideas flowing!
Jo
