A question often asked is whether to use YouTube as the means to host a video on a client's website. There are some pros and cons that businesses have encountered when adopting this approach. Here are some of my thoughts:
Firstly You Tube is free and well established. I recommend that you post your video on this site even it you are going to use alternate hosting. Unless you want your video behind a secure password the opportunity for more visibility for your product or service can't be beaten. It isn't just consumers who use You Tube business buyers will use it for initial purchase evaluations.
Setting up and getting going is simple. You can do it yourself and this is better when you want to make frequent changes.
There are some technical considerations and options. It isn't full HD for example but for most videos this really isn't an issue. Some of the options really depend on how you see the video playing and being interacted with and this will differ depending on requirements.
You will get basic viewing details but not the richer detail that you may require for knowing more about your viewer with alternate hosting options. Don't expect thousands or even millions of views. Hundreds for a business video can be a good result. I have a client who has achieved 1,300 views in two years but he always compares his results with his competitors not with Beyonce's latest video. He thinks it is the best marketing spend he has made.
Biggest drawback for all clients is the ads. Hey they have to make money, after all it is a free service, but sometimes they can get intrusive. I even have had clients who tell me that they have seen competitors ads on their videos.
So there are choices - free with You Tube or paying for hosting. Alternate hosting options are many and better covered by another article.
Managing Director of AV Creative, one of Australia's leading corporate video producers. Our clients include The Westpac Group, Colonial First State, Toyota MHA and McDonald's. We excel at corporate video production. Whatever your need: *Promote your product or services to generate sales. *Effectively present your company and its capabilities. *Film meetings, work processes, presentations Cost effective, creative and engaging . Over 25 years of experience.
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There is another question associated with this article. If you have videos that you want to keep private or need to ensure don't get copied then YouTube is not the safest way to go. For instance if you are using video in a course or as modules (Basically your intellectual property IP) then I would recommend that you lock them down with better systems like Amazons 3S. You can still use Youtube as the feader to the site but the back end is a lot more secure. To do this has a cost but you have to weigh up the IP of your business.
Andrew Nguyen at www.netprroaustralia.com.au
Yes absolutely latest trend research shows that Youtube is the second biggest form of resource and information searching engine next to Google