What is Video Hosting?
Video hosting is the act of storing, managing, and delivering video content online, typically via a website, landing page, social network, or email. It’s usually done by uploading a video file to an online storage server and linking to it from a webpage or other website. This can include streaming videos or providing downloads of video files, but it also has other things like embedding them from other sites into yours.
Video hosting platforms can be used for both personal and corporate purposes. The best video hosting platforms include the ability to host and share content on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
What’s the Best Way to Host Video Content?
The most common ways to host a video are by uploading it to a file-sharing site or using an online video platform or software. The best platforms offer both options; if you’re looking for something that does both well, look for one that allows you to host your own files and embed and shared with other sources.
Leveraging an online video platform built for businesses to host your content lets you secure control of the experience for your viewers (whether they’re external prospects and existing customers or internal for sharing with employees).
Free Video Hosting vs. Paid Hosting Solutions
Some platforms or websites offer free video hosting, while others charge a fee for the service.
Free video hosting is the most common form of the service. It’s usually limited, however, and may not be suitable for large files (such as those over 100MB). Free platforms will likely restrict the number of videos you can upload or even require that all content be hosted on their own websites, meaning your viewers will see ads before they see your video.
Free sites often don’t offer secure connections between their servers and visitors’ browsers so hackers can intercept any information. Finally, some free sites limit how many times someone can watch a video within a certain time period. A frustrating experience if your viewer wants to consume content more than once. Paid solutions offer more flexibility; you can dig into more benefits below.
The Main Benefits of B2B Video Hosting Platforms
A free video hosting solution may suit your needs if you’re a small startup or personal user. But suppose you’re looking to grow your business and use video to generate leads and build pipeline. In that case, a hosting platform built for B2B will have the features you’ll need to manage your burgeoning video library effectively.
Here are a few of the main features and benefits of a video hosting platform for your business.
1. Valuable Video Analytics
A video hosting solutions with extensive analytics capabilities will help you gain valuable insights into viewer engagement, drop-off rates, and overall video performance. This data can guide your content strategy and optimize your videos for maximum impact.
2. Enhanced Content Engagement
With an online video platform, you can easily apply video calls-to-action (CTAs) to your content. This allows you to drive specific actions from your viewers, such as signing up for a newsletter, downloading a content asset, booking a meeting, or starting a free trial. CTAs can significantly improve engagement and conversions.
3. Integration with Marketing and Sales Systems
Modern go-to-market teams know seamless software integrations are imperative to success—it’s no different for your video hosting solution. Integrations with your existing marketing and sales systems, such as CRM software or marketing automation tools, let you align your video content with your overall strategies and campaigns—streamlining your workflows and saving time and effort.
4. Secure Video Content Management
A video hosting platform offers robust security features, protecting your videos from unauthorized access and piracy. You can confidently manage and distribute your content, knowing it is securely stored and accessible only to your intended audience. Permissions and password protection are some of the added security features to consider leveraging if needed.
5. Scalability and Customization
Video hosting platforms allow you to scale your video content as your business grows. Whether you need to host a few videos or a large video library, these platforms can accommodate your needs. Additionally, you can customize the player, branding, and CTAs to align with your brand identity and create a seamless viewing experience.
By leveraging a video hosting platform like Vidyard, you can unlock these benefits and take your video strategy to the next level. Stay ahead of the competition, engage your audience, and maximize the impact of your video content.