Where Should You Host Your Explainer Video?

Explainer videos have become a popular way to communicate complex ideas and products simply and engagingly.

However, once you’ve created an explainer video, the question remains: where should you host it? In this post, we’ll explore the different hosting options available and help you choose the best one for your needs.

Hosting Options for Explainer Videos

Self-Hosting

Self-hosting involves uploading the video to your own website or server. This gives you complete control over the hosting, but also requires technical knowledge to ensure the video is optimized for different devices and bandwidths. Self-hosting also means you’ll be responsible for managing the hosting costs and security of your server.

Advantages:

Complete control over hosting
No third-party branding or advertising

Disadvantages:

Technical knowledge required
Higher costs and security risks

YouTube

YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing platform, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It’s a great option if you want to reach a wide audience, as users can easily share your video on social media and embed it on their own websites. YouTube also offers analytics and tracking tools to help you understand your audience.

Advantages:

Large audience
Free to use
Analytics and tracking tools

Disadvantages:

Limited customization options
Third-party branding and advertising
Potential for negative comments

Vimeo

Vimeo is a video-sharing platform that’s popular with creative professionals. It offers more customization options than YouTube, including the ability to add your own branding and control the video player’s appearance. Vimeo also offers advanced privacy options, such as password protection and domain-level privacy.

Advantages:

Customization options
Advanced privacy options
No third-party branding or advertising

Disadvantages:

Smaller audience than YouTube
Higher costs for advanced features

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hosting Option

When choosing a hosting option for your explainer video, consider the following factors:

Purpose of the Video: Are you trying to generate leads, educate customers, or build brand awareness? Your hosting option should align with your video’s goals.
Target Audience: Where does your target audience spend time online? Choose a hosting option that reaches your intended audience.
Budget: Self-hosting can be expensive, while YouTube is free. Consider your budget when choosing a hosting option.
Analytics and Tracking: Do you want to track viewer engagement and behavior? Choose a hosting option that offers robust analytics and tracking tools.
Customization and Branding: Do you want to add your own branding and control the video player’s appearance? Vimeo may be a better option for you.

In summary, self-hosting gives you complete control, while YouTube and Vimeo offer wider reach and more features. Consider your video’s goals, audience, budget, and customization needs before making a decision. Choosing the right hosting option ensures your explainer video reaches its intended audience and achieves its goals.