Creative Ways to Use Video on Your Website

Why Video Works So Well

Before we dive into the ideas, let’s look at why video is worth the effort:

• It builds trust:
  People buy from brands they trust. Seeing a friendly face or hearing a real voice adds credibility.
• It boosts engagement:
  Videos are more likely to be watched than text is to be read, especially on mobile.
• It improves SEO:
  Search engines love video content, and embedding it on your site can increase time spent on page.
• It increases conversions:
  Studies show that including a video on your landing page can boost conversions by up to 80%.

With that in mind, here are some creative ways you can start using video on your website today.

1. Add a Video to Your Homepage Hero Section

Your homepage is your virtual shop window. It’s often the first impression visitors get of your business. Instead of a static image, why not greet them with a looping background video or a short intro clip?

What to include:

• Footage of your product or service in action
• Smiling team members or happy customers
• A simple voiceover or tagline that explains what you do

Tip: Keep it short and silent by default. Add captions or overlay text to get your message across quickly.

2. Film a ‘Meet the Team’ Video

People connect with people. Especially if you’re a local business, putting faces to your brand helps build trust. A quick “Meet the Team” video adds personality and shows that there are real humans behind the scenes.

Creative angles:

• Interview each team member with one or two fun questions
• Film a day in the life at your office or studio
• Show the values that drive your team culture

Where to place it:
Add it to your About page, or embed it near your contact form to encourage enquiries.

3. Create a Simple Explainer Video

If your product or service needs a bit of explaining, don’t rely on walls of text. A short explainer video can break things down clearly and quickly.

What it can cover:

• How your service works
• What problem it solves
• The steps a customer needs to take

You can film yourself talking, use animation, or even create a slideshow-style video with voiceover. Tools like Canva, Loom or Animoto make it easy.

4. Use Video Testimonials Instead of Written Ones

Testimonials are great—but video testimonials are better. They feel more authentic and are harder to fake. Plus, they let your happy customers do the selling for you.

Ask customers to:

• Share what problem they had before finding you
• Talk about what they loved about working with you
• Mention the results they’ve seen

Where to place them:
Add to your homepage, services pages or a dedicated reviews section.

5. Add Product Demos to Your Shop Pages

If you’re selling a product, a quick demo can do wonders. Show it being used in real life, highlight key features, or give customers a closer look than photos can offer.

For example:

• A skincare brand might show how to apply a product
• A furniture store might show how to assemble a table
• A tech brand could demonstrate features on a device

SEO tip:
Use your keyword in the video title and description if you upload it to YouTube before embedding it.

6. Film Behind-the-Scenes Content

People love to see how things are made. If you have an interesting process or unique workspace, let visitors peek behind the curtain.

Behind-the-scenes video ideas:

• Your design or production process
• How you pack and ship orders
• A behind-the-scenes look at a team meeting or event

It helps to build transparency and human connection—two things that can really help small businesses stand out online.

7. Include Video in Blog Posts

Got a blog? You can easily embed relevant videos to make posts more engaging and break up long chunks of text. Even a quick iPhone clip talking through the topic adds value.

Ideas for blog videos:

• A short intro or summary of the post
• A tutorial that complements the topic
• A Q&A video expanding on a common question

Bonus:
adding video to blog posts can also help with SEO and reduce bounce rates.

8. Record a Welcome Video for Your Contact Page

The contact page is where visitors decide whether to reach out. A short, friendly welcome video here can help nudge them over the line.

Try saying:

• Thanks for visiting
• What they can expect when they contact you
• How soon you’ll respond

Keep it personal and relaxed—it doesn’t need to be a Hollywood production.

9. Use Video for FAQs

Instead of long FAQ sections, consider creating a few short videos answering common questions. It’s easier to digest and often more engaging than reading through a list.

Start with:

• “How does this work?”
• “What happens after I place an order?”
• “Do you offer refunds?”

Even a quick video recorded on Zoom or your phone will do the job nicely.

10. Show Off Your Portfolio with Video

If you offer creative services—like design, photography, or events—consider turning your portfolio into a video montage. This adds movement, music, and emotion to your work.

Great for:

• Before and after transformations
• Highlight reels of completed projects
• Slideshows with testimonials or stats

It makes your work feel more dynamic and memorable.

11. Add Video to Your Thank You Pages

After someone completes a form or makes a purchase, they’re taken to a thank-you page. Why not use this space to keep the conversation going?

You could:

• Thank them personally
• Tell them what to do next
• Offer an upsell or free resource

It’s a nice touch that can improve the customer experience.

12. Add Subtle Background Video

Want to make your site feel more dynamic without distracting visitors? Consider using subtle background video on banners, sections or even headers.

Examples:

• A loop of your team working
• Footage of your product in action
• A calming video related to your industry

Just make sure it doesn’t slow down your site or get in the way of key messages.

Optimising Video for Quality and Page Speed

While video is a powerful tool, it can easily slow down your website if not set up correctly. And for small businesses, that can mean frustrated visitors and lost opportunities. Luckily, a few simple tweaks can make a big difference.

1. Don’t Upload Videos Directly to Your Website:
   Instead of uploading video files to your media library, use platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Wistia and embed them. This takes the load off your hosting and keeps your pages fast.
2. Use Lazy Loading:
   If your videos appear further down the page, make sure they’re set to lazy load. This means they only load when the visitor scrolls down—improving load times and user experience.
3. Compress Your Videos:
   Even if you’re embedding from another platform, make sure your video file is optimised. Tools like HandBrake (free) or VEED can reduce file size without a big drop in quality.
4. Stick to the Right Format:
   Use modern formats like MP4 (H.264), which offer a good balance between quality and compression. Avoid heavy file types like .mov or .avi.
5. Choose a Poster Image:
   If your video is set to play on click, set a clean, branded thumbnail (also called a “poster image”) to keep the page looking polished while the video loads.
6. Keep Background Videos Short and Subtle:
   If you’re using autoplay background video, make sure it’s under 5–10 seconds, muted, and looped. Compress it heavily and keep the resolution lower (around 720p or less), since it doesn’t need to be ultra-crisp.
7. Test Load Speed:
   Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to check how your videos affect load time. These tools will flag any video-related performance issues.

Using Stock Video: A Smart Shortcut

Not ready to film your own content just yet? Stock video can be a great way to add movement and professionalism to your website without picking up a camera.

Where to Find Great Stock Video:

• Pexels – Free, high-quality clips
• Pixabay – Free, royalty-free content
• Artgrid – Subscription-based, cinematic quality
• Storyblocks – Affordable and versatile

If you’re using video just to enhance your site visually or fill a gap in storytelling, stock can be a simple and effective option.

Ready to Try Some Creative Video Website Ideas?

Video doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re filming on your phone or working with a pro, adding even one or two of these video ideas to your website can help your brand feel more alive, more trustworthy, and more professional.

If you’re not sure where to start, or want help producing your first few clips—get in touch. At 404 Marketing, we help small businesses like yours build websites that don’t just look great but actually work. And that often starts with a smart video strategy.