Summary

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Have you ever been scrolling through social media, and come across a particular item that you were curious to see in action or worried about how the product would look in real life due to bad experiences in the past where the materials look and feel was completely different from that of its initial picture? Wouldn't it be nice to scroll through social media and rather than seeing videos or images, you see real world individuals and influencers showing you first hand how to use the product or giving you a detailed product review? Amazing right?

In the dynamic world of social media, slow loading times are seen to be conversion killers, specially when it comes to User-Generated Content videos. However, did you know, you can have both? Join us on this journey as we disclose the secrets to optimizing your UGC videos on your site for faster loading times while maximising conversions. Get ready to turn those casual viewers into loyal consumers.

Understanding UGC marketing

What is UGC, and Why use it?

Creating UGC is seen to be present in a multitude of forms, right from static content in the form of photos, or blog posts to, dynamic content such as videos or social media live sessions. Think of word-of-mouth marketing but instead on steroids where your content is able to reach the masses in a credible and authentic manner, as compared to that of traditional advertising strategies. Everyone trusts their peers more than the brands themselves, so by showcasing the genuine experiences that are tied to your product can be a significant advantage in a crowded completive landscape.

Benefits of UGC Marketing:

  • Increased Brand Trust & Credibility
  • Enhanced Brand Awareness
  • Valuable Consumer Insights
  • Cost-Effective Marketing
  • Boosts User Engagement
Image showing the benefits of UGC marketing

The role of UGC videos in marketing

The Role of creating UGC videos in marketing

When it comes to selling the story around a brand's values and vision, UGC videos in particular are significantly impactful. These videos tend to showcase products in real time while capturing emotions and providing your viewers with immersive experiences. This authenticity can significantly influence purchase decisions.

UGC Videos: Impact on Speed and Conversions

While it is understood that UGC videos offer numerous benefits, a hindered loading time can have a poor effectiveness on your targeted viewers. Slowed down loading times can lead to an increase in frustration among viewers, leading to an increase in abandonment rate prior to the video even being played. However, by optimising your UGC videos for speed, you have the ability to ensure that your viewers are presented with a smooth journey that drives engagement as well as conversions.

Image showing slow load times.

Optimizing UGC Videos for Speed

UGC videos are a goldmine for marketing, but slow loading times can turn that gold into dust. Here, we'll explore strategies to ensure your UGC videos capture attention quickly and seamlessly integrate into your website without sacrificing speed.

Strategies for speedy UGC campaign videos:

  • Encourage User Awareness: When you start to engage with your creators, start by laying significant emphasis on the importance of the sizes of the videos being submitted, along with the limitations of the formats. Start by providing them with a standard set of guidelines that are essential to be maintained when capturing videos that are required to be optimized for your website's optimal loading speed.
  • Leverage Cloud-Based Solutions: As an ecommerce brand, try to leverage plugins or platforms that automatically optimise the UGC videos that are being uploaded. These platforms often a time review, compress and convert the videos themselves into formats that are optimised to prevent hindering your site's loading times.

Tips for fast site loading with UGC:

  • Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): Utilize a CDN to distribute your UGC videos across geographically dispersed servers. This ensures faster loading times for viewers regardless of their location.
  • Optimize File Size: Strike a balance between video quality and file size. Explore compression tools or consider offering multiple video versions with varying resolutions.
  • Lazy Loading: Implement lazy loading to prioritize loading critical elements on your website first. This way, UGC videos only load when a user scrolls down to the section containing them.
  • Optimize Thumbnails: High-quality, eye-catching thumbnails can entice viewers while the video loads. Optimize thumbnail size and format for faster rendering.
Image showing the process of playing videos once hosted.

Optimising user generated videos for conversions

Even with speedy loading times, you still want to ensure your UGC videos are optimized to drive conversions. This can involve encouraging creators to include clear calls to action or showcasing the product's benefits in a relatable way. Consider featuring UGC videos on product pages or creating landing pages specifically for UGC content.

Conclusion

UGC videos offer a powerful tool for boosting conversions and brand trust. By implementing these optimisation strategies, you can leverage the power of UGC while ensuring a smooth user journey that drives sales and engagement.

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