I have recently sold my accounting practice of 11 years and I am now starting again but with a simple Xero bookkeeping service, working from home. No more January tax deadline stomach churning for me!
For my new business, I have built my own website so that I can make easy changes whenever I want, rather than having to pay a web firm everytime I need an update but I am wondering, would a brief video on the home page make the website more interesting, or reduce the bounce away rate from any visitors? Has anyone tried this and has this actually made any difference?
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What would be on the video? What would its purpose be? I'm having a hard time imagining it.
Generally, if I open a site and it fires an unexpected video at me, my first action is to try to stop it.
Thank you for your reply.
I was thinking of a few short videos answering questions a business owner may have? I have heard that videos are liked by Google.
I realise they could look cheesy if not done well!
I know exactly what you mean about an auto starting video, I find them annoying!
Apparently videos are one of Google's favourite things when it comes down to SEO, which I guess is why so many websites have them. Lots of firms near to me have videos such as "what expenses can I claim" and "10 secrets to reducing tax on property" etc. These type of videos rarely contain anything other than the absolute basics. Do they attract clients - I've no idea. I do quite well enough through the website without any videos at all.
SEO (search engine optimisation) people will tell you they are essential if you want to rank highly, which i suspect is why there are so many videos on websites that offer little to nothing.
I'd say, if you've got content / something to say that is best displayed by video, go for it, but if it's the reverse and you have nothing really to say, I wouldn't bother.
That's just me though. Same as the sites that collect email addresses by offering "click here to view our special guide to blah blah blah". I don't do that either :-)
Thanks for your reply. I have also heard that Google likes videos, but I also don't like cheesy videos selling things.
I was thinking more along the lines of answering common questions. Some people prefer to 'meet' you before contacting.
If you do well without videos, what is your website top tip for success? Lot's of content? High end design or just having had the website for a long time?
Thank you for your help.
Manchester Man spent months doing his own seo so he should know.
I think you're absolutely spot on that people want to see and hear you before contacting. If you came across well on a video talking about stuff they needed to know in a friendly, helpful way why wouldn't it be a good idea.
I would do this myself if it was easy. But because I'm IT challenged I'd have to find someone to set this up for me and that's not easy.
Id say it was rather naff myself.
What would you say exactly, and how would it come across?
its (relatively) straight forward to have a decent picture shoot if you are happy to stump up a few hundred pounds and invest a few hours in it.
How much would it take to do decent video that doesn't look really tacky? id be guessing well into 4 figures for a 60-90 seconds of quality video, perhaps split into 3 segments. If you go cheapskate on this, it would like like putting up your main images as selfies.
If you are going to do a video is it not better doing a client testimonial of how good you are, as that is likely to give more comfort to someone considering buying from you.
I have stopped posting on social media about "accountancy stuff" as it only gets attention from other accountants.
Lets face it everyone knows what we do.
Videos can be great, but:
(1) ideally don't have it auto start when someone lands on the page,
(2) if you decide to ignore (1), at least ensure the sound is off by default.
Not many things more likely to get a webpage quickly closed than it creating unexpected noise.
Not many things more likely to get a webpage quickly closed than it creating unexpected noise.
Especially if the noise involved gives too much of a hint as to the website's content, in an open plan office...……….
Not many things more likely to get a webpage quickly closed than it creating unexpected noise.
Especially if the noise involved gives too much of a hint as to the website's content, in an open plan office...……….
Case study of one here, but I can't remember the last time I saw a video on a website and felt the urge to click it (during business hours at least. When Mrs Loblaw is out and I'm home alone with the curtains drawn? Another matter)
I suppose it's down to how well they're done and what they contain. They usually tend to come off a bit "infomercial" to me.
www.capsa.co.uk is my website and there is a video of sorts there. It was created by my website developer to much fanfare. No one has ever commented on it and I don't actually like it that much. As I am well on the way to retirement and not taking on new clients, I have not bothered to get it changed. I believe it was created on Youtube and all my website does is link to it.
