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This isn't meant to be an attack against YouTube -- quite the opposite, because YouTube isn't the problem. If you use videos on your business web site and embed them on YouTube, YOU'RE the problem. Why? Partially because YouTube's Terms of Service actually forbid posting videos that have commercial purposes, but mostly because on the Internet, you don't get a second chance to make a good first impression as a serious Internet marketer.
It's simple -- whether you're online or in the flesh, customers want to feel they're giving their money to someone professional, credible, and competent. Used correctly, a web video with a personally delivered sales message gives you a huge edge over the competition (and can be done with nothing more a webcam). You went through the trouble of making sure your web site looks professional and polished -- checking your spelling and punctuation; using a template or hiring a designer if you couldn't create the site yourself. But if your business videos are embedded from YouTube, you're setting yourself up for some problems:
The YouTube logo. That doesn't help promote anyone but YouTube, does it? Sure, they're giving you the bandwidth free, but you're not trying to show your buddies the latest pet trick -- you're trying to sell your product. Wouldn't it make more sense to have YOUR logo where YouTube's is?
Lack of creative control. YouTube, not you, decides on the file size and therefore quality of your videos. And when they have to temporarily shut down for routine maintenance or resolve server crashes, your business is shut down as well.
Empowering your competition. When a YouTube video ends, it presents a series of thumbnails linking to videos of similar subject matter -- similar as in similar to what you're selling, perhaps? It's one thing to have that on the actual YouTube site, but on YOURS?
You've probably seen videos on other sites that not only lack the YouTube logo, but also feature modern-looking players and sleek skins. They're probably of superior quality to what you see on YouTube as well. They're the result of video conversion software. Thanks to the evolution of online video technology, such software has never been less expensive or more user-friendly. Some programs even offer Web page templates if your entire site could benefit from a more professional look.
Why keep on gambling with your online business image when the solution is so simple and cost effective? For the sake of your success, invest in video conversion software.
