Without a doubt, video is the most engaging type of promotional content available to businesses in the information age. In fact, by 2022, video will make up 82% of online consumer traffic. Businesses of all kinds are taking advantage of video, not only as a promotional tool but also as a bona fide business model.
In addition to simply using video over social media or on platforms like YouTube, dedicated over-the-top (OTT) platforms are proving to be a viable way of leveraging video for a variety of businesses. From content creators, to fitness instructors, to sports leagues, and beyond.
But once you’ve decided to create video content, you’ll need to find a video hosting service, or host the video yourself. Since hosting video on-site can be an inefficient and costly option, we’ll go over a few of the best video hosting services for business.
What To Look for in Video Hosting for Businesses
When it comes to video hosting platforms for business, not every service is created equal. A few of the things to look out for in a great video hosting platform include:
Many of the features above are standard for the best video hosting services and should be thought of as a minimum requirement. Next, you’ll want to consider storage space, how long videos are hosted for (hopefully forever), whether you can livestream, and of course, cost. Many businesses need not look further than free video hosting platforms like YouTube. Others may need more advanced functionality.
Top 4 Video Hosting Platforms for Business
Here are our top four picks for the best platforms providing video hosting for business:
1. YouTube
Sometimes the obvious, easy choice is the best. YouTube hosts unlimited videos for free, for life and allows you to monetize via ads once you reach a certain viewership. There’s no barrier to starting with YouTube. While some advanced features like allowing downloads aren’t available, YouTube is still a great option for many businesses.
2. Vimeo
Vimeo was originally geared more toward artistic content creators, such as filmmakers who want a platform with higher quality video. However, it has evolved into a collaborative platform that allows team members and clients to weigh in on videos, view various drafts, and make comments. The free version doesn’t offer much storage or features, but plans start at only $7 a month for more storage and advanced features.
3. Wistia
For marketers with a little bit of a budget who are looking for a more advanced feature set, Wistia is a great option. Wistia has tools like lead generation and an email collector that allows marketers to maximize the effectiveness of video content right on the platform. You can host up to three videos on Wistia for free and still get quite a few advanced tools, but to tap into the real power here will require a pro plan, at $99 per month.
4. Brightcove
For a platform with powerful branding flexibility, look no further than Brightcove. Brightcove allows you to customize your player and add your branding, allowing a seamless look and feel that can position your content in a more professional light. Starting at $199 per month for 50 videos and up to 100,000 plays, Brightcove isn’t for the tiny startup. But it is a powerful platform for those with the budget.
Where Will You Host Your Videos?
Finding the best video hosting platform for your business is a combination of budget, taste, your target audience, and the feature set you need to accomplish your goals. The good news is there’s nothing stopping you from trying out each platform to get a real-world feel for the process.
If you want the help of an advanced team that can take you from zero to full-on OTT platform owner in nothing flat, contact us at MAZ for a consultation.
