How E-Commerce Businesses Can Maximize Sales with Videos
Are you considering using video marketing to increase your e-commerce sales but don’t know where to start? This article will help.
Video has become a leading trend in marketing over the past decade. With the average user spending around 100 minutes daily watching online videos, it has become the most popular form of consuming content today.
But video isn’t just for entertainment.
So, how can you use videos to increase your e-commerce sales?
Keep reading to find out.
Why Should You Use Videos in E-Commerce Marketing?
Video is important for your e-commerce marketing strategy for several reasons. It helps potential customers gain a better understanding of your products.
In e-commerce, customers cannot physically touch or experience products before buying. However, videos can bridge this gap by demonstrating the product in action, thereby providing context on its appearance, feel, and functionality in everyday use.
To better understand why you should use videos in your e-commerce marketing, consider these statistics:
- Your e-commerce business risks falling behind when you don’t use videos, as over 50% of marketers use some form of product-related videos.
- 87% of businesses report that video marketing has directly boosted their sales.
- E-commerce videos play an important role in the sales process, with 73% of U.S. adults stating they are more likely to buy after watching a product video.
- Video marketing also assures customers that a product is right for them. About 80% of consumers feel more confident buying products online after watching product videos.
- Companies using video marketing have seen a 49% increase in revenue compared to those that do not.
- Video content helps you build trust with your audience, especially younger demographics. When researching products, 87% of Gen Z prefer videos or ads that feature someone discussing or demonstrating a product.
In a nutshell, videos play a key role in the success of your e-commerce store. They increase conversion rates, boost sales, and build trust with your audience.
5 Tips for Increasing E-Commerce Sales with Videos
Videos often boost conversions more effectively than other types of content.
However, you need to include some important elements to get this result. Here are some tips that you may find helpful.
#1 Tell a Story
Everyone loves stories.
And what better way to share one than through a captivating, interactive video?
A study by SmartBrief found that 55% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand when it shares its story through video content.
Video storytelling takes viewers on a journey through compelling narratives about a brand or product, thereby evoking emotions and building a connection with the brand.
Hence, storytelling through video is a powerful strategy you can adopt to boost engagement. It is arguably one of the top video marketing strategies.
#2 Match the Videos to the Right Platforms
Each platform has its unique requirements for content and technical specifications.
For instance, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have unique styles that suit their respective audiences.
In addition, these platforms differ in terms of the video dimensions they support, maximum resolutions, file types, and other technical aspects.
Matching videos to their platforms can significantly increase e-commerce sales for several reasons:
Enhanced Engagement
By customizing video content to align with the preferences of each platform, you can create more engaging and appealing videos that resonate better with viewers.
For example, TikTok’s short, catchy videos are perfect for quick product demonstrations, while YouTube’s longer format is ideal for detailed reviews and tutorials.
Improved Visibility
Platforms favor content that meets their specific technical requirements. Videos that are correctly formatted and optimized are more likely to be featured in search results and recommendations, thereby increasing their visibility to potential customers.
Higher Conversion Rates
An engaging and accessible video content can effectively drive user actions. Clear, well-produced videos that highlight product features and benefits can persuade viewers to make a purchase, thus increasing conversion rates.
Platform Algorithms
Many platforms use algorithms to recommend content to users. Videos that are optimized for a platform’s specific requirements are more likely to be favored by these algorithms, leading to increased reach and more opportunities for sales.
#3 Describe How Your Product Works
Create product explainer videos to demonstrate how to use your product. These videos should detail all the features and benefits to give viewers an in-depth understanding of what your product offers.
Explainer videos clarify your message and give a clear overview of your product. You can use these videos to boost your sales, as 84% of consumers are more likely to buy a product after watching an explainer video.
Also, Forbes found that including an explainer video on a product page can increase conversion rates by up to 80%.
But what factors should you consider when using explainer videos on your store?
Some key factors to consider include:
- Target audience: Understand who your audience is to tailor the video content to their preferences and needs.
- Video quality: Ensure high production quality with clear visuals and audio to maintain a professional image.
- Concise messaging: Keep the video short and to the point, focusing on the key benefits and features of the product.
- Engaging content: Use engaging visuals, animations, and a compelling script to capture and hold the viewer’s attention.
- Placement: Strategically place the video on product pages or landing pages to maximize visibility and engagement.
- Mobile optimization: Make sure the video is optimized for mobile devices, as many users access e-commerce sites via their smartphones.
- Call to Action: Include a clear call to action to guide viewers on what to do next, such as making a purchase.
- Loading speed: Ensure the video does not affect your website performance, which can negatively impact user experience and SEO.
- SEO considerations: Optimize the video with relevant keywords, titles, and descriptions to improve search engine visibility.
#4 Share the Mission and Values of Your Business
Marketing videos don’t always have to focus on selling or even on your products to be effective. Sharing videos that highlight your business mission and values is a powerful way to engage with your target audience.
These types of videos, often referred to as brand videos, breathe life into your business by clearly communicating its purpose and principles. They play important roles in building brand awareness and distinguishing your e-commerce business in a crowded market.
According to research conducted by Wyzowl, 39% of video marketers attribute ROI to brand awareness metrics.
By sharing your mission and values, you not only differentiate your store from competitors but also inspire potential customers to choose your brand.
So how can you use videos to share your business mission and values?
Storytelling
- Create videos that tell the story of how your business started. Highlight the challenges and triumphs that shaped your mission and values.
- Share the key moments that influenced your company’s direction and core beliefs.
Behind-the-Scenes Footage
- Show the daily operations of your business, featuring employees and their dedication to your mission.
- Highlight how your values are integrated into your work processes and company culture.
Employee Spotlights
- Create videos that introduce team members and illustrate how they embody your company’s values.
- Share their personal stories and why they are passionate about working at your company.
Mission-Focused Campaigns
- Develop campaigns that focus on specific values or aspects of your mission.
- Use videos to explain why these values matter and how they influence your business decisions.
Educational Content
- Produce educational videos that reflect your commitment to quality, ethics, or customer service.
- Use this content to inform your audience about industry standards, best practices, or important issues related to your mission.
#5 Share Testimonials from Satisfied Customers
Video testimonials can effectively portray the value of your products. The strategy is straightforward: capture your customers’ reactions on video to make a compelling case for your products
Simply approach satisfied customers and have them share their positive experiences with your product in videos.
Over 89% of marketers affirm that video testimonials yield the highest efficiency in marketing. The advantage lies in the fact that people tend to engage more with video testimonials compared to written ones.
#6 Retarget Viewers
Many e-commerce businesses fall into a common trap in video marketing: they upload a video and forget about it entirely.
However, the right approach involves maximizing the video’s potential long after its initial release. You can use retargeting ads to reintroduce the video to users who’ve already engaged with it.
Research indicates that retargeted website visitors are 43% more likely to convert. This signifies the importance for brands to continuously experiment and refine their content, even after its initial upload.
Wrapping Up
And that’s a wrap!
This comprehensive guide has equipped you with strategies to leverage the power of videos in maximizing e-commerce sales.
We’ve explored why video is a powerful tool for e-commerce brands and also shared expert tips for using videos to boost your e-commerce sales.
However, while videos are important in driving sales, you need to optimize their sizes to prevent any negative impact on your website’s performance.
In fact, according to a survey conducted by Unbounce:
- 70% of users acknowledge that website speed influences their decision to buy from an online store.
- 82% of shoppers in New York prioritize speed when making purchasing decisions, compared to 60% in California.
Leverage SpeedSize’s AI-powered media optimization technology to reduce the size of your videos without compromising visual quality. Learn more.
FAQs
How does video increase sales?
Videos tap into emotions, thereby building a connection with your target audience. This drives engagement and ultimately, sales. A powerful video can influence buying decisions and propel your business growth.
How can video enhance an e-commerce website’s product page?
Videos can be a game-changer for e-commerce product pages in a few ways:
- Boost conversions
- Enhance customer experience
- Build trust
How can you use videos for e-commerce?
You can use videos in your e-commerce business to:
- Grab the attention of viewers and engage them
- Drive traffic to your store
- Increase the time spent on your product pages
- Add a personal touch
- Boost click-through and open rates
- Convert viewers to loyal customers